Manhattan Arts International Proudly Presents Andre Chatelain with this Award in Our “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope” 2025 Exhibition
As a masterful artist and humanitarian Andre Chatelain reminds us that we can all take steps to improve the world. He embodies the vital and admirable human attributes of love, peace, unity and hope. In this interview he shares his beliefs, his insight and sage advice. He shines a beacon of light for us to forge our own path to make a positive difference.
It is an honor and pleasure to present this interview with Andre Chatelain as the recipient of the Special Recognition Art Award in the Manhattan Arts International “Love, Peace, Unity & Hope” 2025 Invitational Exhibition which celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the website ManhattanArts.com.
Andre received this Special Recognition Art Award in particular because of the painting he submitted to the exhibition titled “Front Line Worker — Thank You”, shown below.
Andre states “This painting, representing a nurse or a doctor, is part of our ‘Fallen Heros’ fundraising project which uses the rings of trees as a creative base. 50% of the proceeds go to Cancer Care organizations in Quebec and Manitoba. I created this one to give tribute to the front-line workers who did so much for all of us during Covid 19 and who continue their efforts, with Love and Unity, every day in a challenging environment, bringing Peace and Hope to so many.”
“Sometimes, a good idea, to genuinely help people, can make a difference in the world. We certainly are witnessing the ripple effect of our Fallen Heroes project right now in Africa.” ~ Andre Chatelain
Andre, What do you love most about being an artist?
I love the freedom of creating, subjects are limitless, time is not an issue, and I choose to work with beauty, exclusively.
I find there is so much to see, learn and appreciate from the wonderful community of artists in so many ways. What we have in common is a passion for the act of creating something new that adds value to our world. Witnessing my own growth as an artist is one of the most rewarding parts of being an artist.
In what ways do you actively contribute to advancing the welfare of artists and/or the art community?
At the International level, after travelling to Africa in 2008, my spouse Agnes Jorgensen and I founded a nonprofit organization, Painting a New World (PNMW).
We believe Art is a catalyst that can change lives. Art has the ability to add hope, peace and joy to one’s life while supporting an important cause.
(Agnes, who is also an acclaimed artist, and Andre were inducted into our “World Changers” series. Read an interview with them: “Interview with Agnes Jorgensen and Andre Chatelain, Artists and Founders of Painting A New World”.)
The organization Painting a New World (PNMW) focuses mainly on supporting artists in Africa through a mural art program. The murals must be appropriate to the context of the community and present a socially conscious message. Murals are painted on school walls and/or community centers by local artists. Over the years, PNMW has funded over 34 murals in Kenya, Tchad and Haiti.
Two years ago, we suddenly had to deal with health concerns and treatment. During this challenging period, Agnes found peace and comfort walking in the forest and appreciating nature, especially trees. When she got better, she wanted to share her ‘forest walker’ experience with others.
Learning more about trees, their importance to the environment and our own wellbeing, we came up with the ‘Fallen Heroes’ project. This is a fundraising project to support Cancercare Manitoba Foundation and Cancer Quebec Foundation.
What aspects of your creativity bring you a sense of peace and fulfillment?
I am so grateful for living in a peaceful and loving environment with my wife Agnes, a fabulous artist painter, sharing our passion for Art and for Humanity.
Founding and operating a humanitarian project in Africa for more than 15 years and more recently a local environment and fundraising project for Cancer care foundations, were key for me. I find peace when I paint because I have a reason to do it other than adding a few more paintings to my portfolio. I also feel good knowing I am doing something useful for others.
What art plans do you have for 2025 that you are most proud to share with us?
We are very happy to see our fundraising ‘Fallen Heroes’ project being successful through sales and commissions. These tree ring artworks are specially priced and 50% of the proceeds go to Cancercare Foundations.
Cancercare Manitoba Foundation is recognizing and promoting our “Fallen Heroes” project by sending “Thank You” cards, representing our paintings, to their generous donors.
We are also very proud to mention that our Fundraising project was instrumental in initiating a similar project promoting Health in Africa where our nonprofit organization, Painting a New World (PNMW), has been active since 2008.
Sometimes, a good idea, to genuinely help people, can make a difference in the world. We certainly are witnessing the ripple effect of our Fallen Heroes project right now in Africa.
“I continue to do art with love, show what is beautiful now and what is possible. Let’s do it all together, then we can hope for a peaceful outcome.” ~ Andre Chatelain
What small steps do you recommend we make to generate a spirit of unity?
Small steps are the base of any successful project. My suggestion is to generate a spirit of unity for all the artists around the world. The importance of art and artists in history should be a motivator. A spirit of unity means to actively cultivate a sense of togetherness, shared purpose, and harmony within a group, often by emphasizing common values, fostering open communication, and encouraging collaboration, with the goal of creating a feeling of oneness and belonging among individuals.
What advice can you offer us to remain hopeful about the world during challenging times of social and economic instability?
This planet has been here for millions of years. It’s not going anywhere. It has seen many civilizations prospering and disappearing. Most of our knowledge of previous civilizations is through art we discover at the bottom of the oceans or dig out: statues, cave paintings, monuments, and more. Artists have always played a role in history.
Yes, we are going through challenging times, we don’t know for how long, but that too will pass. While many are very nervous and worried about things they can’t control anyway, artists have to stay alert and use their talents to bring a different positive energy. People are looking for artists to come up with a different point of view, to make them feel better, to show them what peace could look like, to give them hope.
I continue to do art with love, show what is beautiful now and what is possible. Let’s do it all together, then we can hope for a peaceful outcome.
Visit Andre’s Website: andrechatelain.com
Visit Agnes’s Website: jorgensenart.com
Thank You so much Renee for this award. It is such an honor. Thank You also for the interview. It was a pleasure to go through the process and the way you are presenting it is masterful.
Kind regards
Andre, I greatly appreciate that you took time to review the questions I asked you and provide your replies with clarity, insight, and inspiration. I know this interview will motivate others. You and Agnes are truly “World Changers” that keep our spirits high and hope alive.