Our story
Cartwheel Initiative was founded by New York based photographer Ashok Sinha after a 2010 visit to Sri Lanka, a country that was emerging from a three-decade old civil war.
In his own words,
“My first time in Sri Lanka was in October 2010. The country was slowly emerging from a long hiatus after a bitter 30-year civil war and attempting to become the next must-see travel destination. Everyone in the industry was writing about Sri Lanka’s new found Eden-like paradise. The New York Times even named it #1 in its list of “The 31 Places To Go In 2010.
Most of Sri Lanka is beautiful, no doubt, but once I reached the northern part of the country where the war was primarily fought, I felt like I was in a different world. The scars of battle were visible everywhere and even more prevalent was a silence – one that is synonymous with my memory of the post-9/11 days in New York.
I realized I had to do something. But what could that be? How can art raise awareness about the human condition and also help spark a conversation about the positive?, I thought.
That is how the idea to create the first Cartwheel Initiative project took root.”
Who are we
Board of Directors
Ashok Sinha is a photographer based in New York City and the founder. He is a regular contributor to The New York Times, among other publications.
Jeremy Christopher Kohomban, PhD, is the President and CEO of The Children's Village and the President of Harlem Dowling.
Chris Fladgate is an accomplished lawyer known for his expertise in construction law, commercial litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.
Parveen Dassenaike is a Chairperson and Managing Director of United Ventures Group and founding Trustee of The Cartwheel Initiative in Sri Lanka.
Operations and Digital Marketing
Nandini Sinha is a multi-skilled professional with a passion for the arts, youth development, and education. She has a Master’s degree from Pace University, NY.
Ritika Sinha-Chaudhuri is a Law Clerk at Kelley Drye and holds a Bachelor’s degree from George Washington University, D.C.
Teaching Artists
Current
Chinmoy Mukherjee is a graphic designer, illustrator and visual artist specializing in improvised forms of traditional Indian folk art.
Mousumi Paul is a visual artist and holds a Master of Arts in child education and learning.
Alumni
Joe Vena is an artist and educator. Holds a BFA in theatre from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.
Camilo Cardenas is a visual artist. He holds a MFA from The University of Delaware.
Billy Fox is a composer and founder of the Kitsune Ensemble.
Kathryn Humphries is an art director and faculty in the Art History Department at the School of Visual Arts.
Geoff Green is an award-winning portrait and fashion photographer based in New York City.
Karen Ng is a founder of the LANtern (Lupus Asian Network) program at the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Lara Kisielewska is a graphic designer and creative entrepreneur.
Sean Murray is an art director with a diverse portfolio in the publishing, fashion and film industries.
Deborah Feingold is an award-winning portrait photographer.
Rachel Yahes is a registered, board-certified and NYS licensed art therapist.
Our supporters
