Martinsburg, West Virginia - Visionary artist David Heatwole, 45, has installed a full-color reproduction of one of his most powerful oil paintings on the back of a 53-foot truck. The idea is to spread his ‘art can change the world’ message as truck owner, Moldova-born Oleg Sulcatan, travels up and down America’s East Coast. The image is accompanied by a powerful message to encourage viewers to visit Heatwole’s website and discover how they can support his campaign to become the first U.S. Arts Ambassador. In addition to trying to raise seed money to fund his artistic dreams the artist is also running a crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to extend his branding to the side panels of the truck. Supporters will receive an original artwork in return for their contribution.

“Art can make a huge difference to people’s lives in so many ways, and sometimes for generations,” Heatwole explains. “If it hadn’t been for art classes when I was at high school, I probably wouldn’t have made it through,” he adds.

But Heatwole’s vision for art and artists doesn’t stop at the personal. He is passionate in his belief that art can breathe new life into local communities, states, the nation and the entire world – not just by making them more inspirational and friendly places to live, but by helping to create jobs and energizing the economy.

As U.S. Arts Ambassador, Heatwole plans to take a leading role in setting up art projects, and he is not short of ideas. The list of projects includes community murals and children’s summer art camps. Art parks, art museums and art studios are also on his list, and there will be schemes to help artists develop and market creative products and businesses.

On an international level, Heatwole envisions an international network of collaborative art projects. He would also like to create a series of spectacular large-scale projects that address major world issues, to capture people’s attention and make them think. And that’s just for starters.

Once established as U.S. Arts Ambassador, Heatwole plans to set up a network of arts ambassadors at all levels of society, to power his big idea and the ideas of undiscovered visionary artists.

Heatwole realizes that he could fund his dream by tapping into the country’s existing grant-making system. But that’s simply not his way of doing things.

“I want to connect personally with people, so that my work has their blessing,” he explains.

So, in return for a contribution of $50, supporters will receive what Heatwole calls a ‘$1 million dollar reality check’ – an original piece of artwork, created on a real check, though admittedly not from an active checking account. The checks will be a memento for purchasers, reminding them of the role they have played in helping to make art make a difference.

“I’m grateful for the contributions I’ve already received, both locally and from places as far away as Scotland and Vietnam,” says Heatwole. “But I urgently need more supporters to transform my ideas into reality.”

To purchase a reality check and discover more about Heatwole’s vision, please visit his website: www.thisartistsdream.com

About the artist

David Heatwole is the son of sculptor John Heatwole (1948–2006) and the eleventh generation of his family to work as an artisan. He was born in Bridgewater, Va, and lives with his wife and five adopted children in Martinsburg, W.Va. He is a multimedia and installation artist, a former technical illustrator, magazine publisher and co-founder of the The Arts Collaborative. He has been involved in a wide range of community arts projects throughout his career.

Note to editors

For interviews, photographs and more information please contact:
David Heatwole
(304)283-1902
[email protected]
www.thisartistsdream.com