Painting a Better Future: Artist Donates Profits and Skills to Others

Meet Daily Point of Light Award honoree Arsh Pal. Read his story, and nominate an outstanding volunteer or family as a Daily Point of Light.

Being a kid is a time for discovering activities you enjoy. Arsh Pal, now a high school freshman, tried instruments and sports before painting caught his attention. When he was 8 years old, his parents bought him art supplies, and art has captivated him ever since. Inspired by his mother’s work at a nursing home, he also decided to use his newfound passion to help others. Arsh has raised and donated more than $22,000 to nonprofits like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through Art with Arsh, the organization through which he sells his paintings.

His work has caught the attention of the national press and earned him multiple honors which have only increased his visibility. Aside from accepting offers to do live paintings for auction, Arsh volunteers to teach lessons to seniors in nursing homes and offers them at a low cost to kids, particularly those with emotional and psychological challenges.

While mainly working with acrylics, he studies different techniques and hopes to explore other mediums. As might be expected in this high-tech era, his own knowledge comes not from school but from home with the help of his mom and YouTube. They enjoy learning together. He also attends lessons with a teacher who runs a private art studio and serves as a board member for the Loukoumi Foundation.

What inspires you to volunteer?

I used to go with my mom to her work on days off school. She works at a nursing home as an occupational therapist. I used to talk to residents and see how they were in pain. They were lonely, because not many people would come to see them.

Sharing stories with them made me smile. It made me want to help people. I decided to sell my artwork. The first piece I sold was to my piano teacher for around $15. From there, I had an opportunity to sell my artwork at my school.

St. Jude was my first charity. My family and I were looking at different places I could donate to, and their story inspired me. They run on 100% donations. They’re helping fight cancer, and there are a lot of kids who are diagnosed with that. Because I was a kid at the time, I wanted to help them. So, I donated my first $1,000 to St Jude.

Tell us about your volunteer role with Art by Arsh.

A lot of events and companies holding fundraisers reach out to me to do a live painting, because that’s kind of what I’m kind of good at. I do mostly live paintings or, sometimes, I make a painting and auction it off. That’s the role that I play at events I’m involved in.

When I was 8, I went to work with my mom. The nursing home residents there don’t have many activities to do, so we decided to set up my first painting class. A lot of residents came, because I was such a young kid and they were surprised by that. But they really enjoyed the class and kept coming back. We got to know each other, and it was really fun. I continue to offer classes, and today, my brother helps me out a lot, too.

He likes to come with me and talk to the residents.

How do you see art being therapeutic or helpful to the populations you serve?

I’ve heard a lot that art is healing, so I can help people out mentally. People can be creative. You can do pretty much whatever you want with art. You can’t go wrong. There’s nobody telling you that it’s bad.

What are your long-term plans or goals for the organization?

One of my goals is to make art lessons more affordable for kids. I’m mainly focused on kids living with mental or emotional challenges.

What do you do as a board member for the Loukoumi Foundation?

The Loukoumi Foundation teaches young people how to help the community. We all each have our individual projects throughout the year, ending on the international Loukoumi Good Deed Day. We come together to see how much money we raised and how much we helped in the community. I’ve been doing it for the last two or three years.

What’s been the most rewarding part of your work?

I’m able to create art and help someone with it. That’s the most rewarding thing and the thing that motivates me the most. Also, as a Loukoumi Foundation board member, I’ve been able to reach out to more people about my story and how they can help, because I have worldwide connections. I’ve met a lot of new people and inspired others to start helping out.

What have you learned through your experiences as a volunteer?

You can use your time and your skills to help somebody. It doesn’t have to be something huge, like donating a million dollars. It can be any act of kindness, as simple as holding a door for someone or helping them with homework. It could be anything. Making someone’s day or making someone smile is what’s important.

Tell us about future partnerships, programs or events that you are excited about.

I recently moved to Illinois from a small town in Iowa. Next week, I have a fundraiser for the YMCA in Iowa. I went last year as well and did a live painting that sold for $150. I’m doing the same thing this year. It’s a really fun experience; I get to meet a lot of new people.

Why is it important for others to get involved with causes they care about?

It’s important to help out the community, so we can inspire the whole world to be kind.

Any advice for people who want to start volunteering?

Invest your time in things that you like to do and start from there. You can use your time and skills to help in the community.

Do you want to make a difference in your community like Arsh? Find local volunteer opportunities.