OLD LYME—Connecticut resident and Pfizer alumna, Alka Shrikhande, says, “When my mom, a beautiful and loving woman, lost her battle against breast cancer in 2006, the question I asked myself was, whether she would still be alive if the cancer had been detected earlier with yearly mammograms?”

In 2008, Shrikhande established Maina Foundation, a nonprofit based in Old Lyme, whose mission is to increase awareness of breast cancer, promote early detection, and offer financial assistance—where it is able—for treatment. 

With low overheads, and an all-volunteer staff, almost all the money the organization raises goes towards three areas of support.

Locally, Maina Foundation has donated to Backus Breast Cancer Center in Norwich, Conn., to assist breast cancer patients in Eastern Connecticut from diagnosis through treatment, and beyond. 

In New York, Maina Foundation has been collaborating with the New York City (NYC) Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center in Manhattan to support breast cancer patients in need, to obtain advanced diagnostic imaging.

And, in India, the organization has had a significant impact on screening and raising awareness of breast cancer in underserved communities at multiple hospitals in Mumbai, Rishikesh, and Chennai, to name a few. 

From October to December this year, in honor of Breast Cancer Prevention Month, Maina Foundation is excited to be partnering with artists, both local and national, in their 3rd Annual Online Art Exhibition. Images of the art for sale can be found on the Maina Foundation website—the list price includes shipping, and there is no sales tax.

This year, 20 percent of the proceeds from the art sale will be donated to NYC Health and Hospitals Metropolitan Breast Care Center, to provide comprehensive breast cancer care to underserved and vulnerable populations, regardless of their ability to pay. 

Featured artists include:

Howard Park, a local artist and photographer, was led by his love of the sea, from Boston, via the L’Ecole d’Art Decorative de Nice, to Connecticut where he now lives in East Lyme. In 2001, Park sailed around the world. He has won numerous awards from the New England Watercolor Society, the Mystic Museum of Art and the Lyme Art Association. 

Lisa Miceli, is a local artist who has won multiple awards for her plein air art with a focus on expressionist watercolors and oils. She has been Influenced, amongst others, by her grandmother, Lucille Gauthier, an illustrator, watercolorist, and a Works Progress Administration artist in the 1930’s. Miceli was the winner of the JMW Turner watercolor competition at the Mystic Seaport.

Natalie Sambamurty, a Maina Foundation board member, works with acrylic, watercolors and oil paints. She draws inspiration from wildlife, traditional Indian art and lifestyles, nature, and different cultures of the world. She is passionate about children’s and women’s health. 

Laya Joseph, a New York-based artist, is influenced by her botanist background. She works primarily in acrylic and mixed media, and her paintings are mostly abstracts and semi abstracts, expressionistic in style and often rooted in her memories and experiences.

Ritu Khetan, inspired by the beauty of henna art, creates intricate patterns on candles, trays, and home décor. Khetan has introduced the art of henna to students of Carnegie Mellon University, and loves to share the joy of simply “creating.”

Sneha Khetan, an 8th Grader from Charlotte, N.C., makes handmade cards and shadow boxes, and is the founder of Sustainable Charlotte, an organization that promotes sustainable living with an aim to educate the public about the climate crisis. 

Girish Nair, is known for his live painting on stage alongside musicians and other performing artists. Although known for his portraits in oil and color pencils, he has a special interest in creating abstracts and theological interpretations. His art has raised more than $60,000 for multiple charitable organizations.

Geeta Pathak, transformed innocent doodles in school books to priceless canvases. Life, with all its precious moments of love, angst, heartache, amidst playing different roles of daughter, sister, friend, wife, and mother, all came together one day as art became her lifeline. This is why she paints everything and anything she perceives to be “in the moment.”

With the support of the community, Maina Foundation hopes to raise much-needed funds to continue their programs and fulfil their mission to raise breast cancer awareness. Please consider supporting their mission by purchasing these beautiful paintings, created by the featured artists.