Who We Are. GIVING A VOICE TO PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD.

Artfully AWARE was founded by Hilary Wallis in December 2007. Our greatest asset is our dynamic team, whose devotion to humanitarian aid and internationally focused education is propelling our heart and soul. All directors and team members volunteer their own time and provide their personal resources. Our African consultants are the only team members who are compensated. Our office space is donated, and 100% of our revenue goes to our programs.

Hilary Wallis, Founder and Executive Director

A veteran of both solo and group exhibitions with her own work throughout the US, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, Hilary has worked as a consultant for such organizations as Plan, CARE, the International Rescue Committee, Americans for Informed Democracy, InterAction, the Global Campaign for Education, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Think Impact and the South Africa-based Buffelshoek Trust. She has also served as a photographer for the Inter-Press Service in Ethiopia and assisted in developing an arts and culture magazine in Florida. Hilary currently focuses on painting for her ‘Art for Humanity’ series while serving as Artfully AWARE’s Executive Director.

Justin Igala, African Team Coordinator

Justin is a professional development coordinator and fine artist that was trained at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda. For over 30 years, he has used the arts to support development of marginalized communities in various areas such as water, hygiene, sanitation, HIV/AIDS, malaria control and war recovery. He has worked for many organizations and has run programs and workshops in Uganda, Sudan, Kenya and Rwanda. Justin is Artfully AWARE’s lead facilitator based in Uganda.

Brian Pade, African Team Marketing and Communications

Brian is a Ugandan business coach and personal development trainer who works with schools, orphanages and community groups by helping children and adults restore their lost talents, identity, goals, vision and aspirations. For Artfully AWARE, Brian develops educative tools to mentor community leaders, teaches business skills and markets community members’ artwork and crafts at events, festivals and other outlets.

Special Thanks to our many volunteers:

UK Team

Zillah Edwards, Emily Hatfield, Mike Hatfield, Pam Hatfield

USA Team

Lionel Lombard, Adam Hayden, Laura Stephens, Aubrey Allison, Gary Hansen, Elaine Grogan Luttrull, Joey Naham, Luciana Fonseca

Africa Team

Janet Igala, Gerald Kabuye, Cornelius Owar, Geoffrey Okello, Hope Okeny, Joyce Achipa, Martin Ochapet

USA Based Board of Directors

Dr. John Coonrod: Vice President of the Hunger Project; Shari Gruber: Director of Policy and Procedure for Child Care and Head Start for New York City’s Children’s Services; Dr. Miriam Steele: Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Clinical Training, Psychology at The New School University for Social Research; Michael Deibert: journalist, author and Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies at Coventry University; and Hilary Wallis: Executive Director of Artfully AWARE