Art Meets Innovation This Holiday Season

Updated on December 21, 2016
Art

Innovative Reading Glasses Brand Teams Up with Art-Sourcing Program that Benefits Homeless and Disabled Artists

ThinOPTICS, the pioneering eyewear company that revolutionized reading glasses with its stemless lenses, is launching its first Curated Collection this Holiday Season and partnering with social enterprise and benefit corporation ArtLifting to create a line of ten new cases designed by artists living with homelessness or disabilities. Available to consumers on December 12th, ArtLifting will receive 20% of the net profit from each case sold to benefit the artists’ programs and artists directly.

“ArtLifting is a marketplace for artists who are homeless or disabled. We’re thrilled to work with ThinOPTICS to expand our impact. Our artists’ beautiful artwork that will adorn ThinOPTICS’ innovative glass cases. The fact that these artsy cases are primarily placed on mobile phones means our artists’ work will be shared with thousands of people,” said Liz Powers, co-founder of ArtLifting. “We are excited to collaborate in sharing their stories and the wonderful work that we’re all doing together. The purchase of the curated ThinOPTICS cases and glasses directly benefits our artists by providing them with income, empowerment and hope.”

Each artist brings a different and inspirational background story, expression and aesthetic to the cases on which their designs are now showcased. Tim Strouss was left partially paralyzed on his left side after surgery complications and took up painting as a cathartic way to challenge himself; Alicia Sterling Beach aims to spread joy and keep herself active by creating art despite degenerative chronic osteoporosis and PTSD she developed in early childhood, which led to stints of homelessness throughout her life. In the face of adversity, each artist found solace and a form of sustainable income in producing works for ArtLifting, and their designs now appear on ThinOPTICS sleek glasses cases – with Strouss’ also appearing on a matching pair of ThinOPTICS readers. In addition to Strouss and Beach, Randy Nicholson, Aneliya Kostova, David McCauley, Jeff Roysdon, Andrew Weatherly, Krishaun Williams and Mia Brown round out the list of artists whose designs are featured on ThinOPTICS Universal Pods, and each of their incredible stories can be found at www.thinoptics.com/artlifting.

ThinOPTICS cases can be proudly displayed on the back of mobile phones and tablets or tucked conveniently inside wallets, purses and pockets because of their ingenious glasses design that makes them as thin as two credit cards and lighter than a nickel. The result of two years of innovation and over 200 prototypes, ThinOPTICS glasses have no stems, yet they rest securely and comfortably on the bridge of the nose using flex-grip technology. The lineup of classic colors that ThinOPTICS users have loved since the brand hit the market in 2014 are now further enhanced by the artwork of each incredible artist.

“When we set out to make ThinOPTICS, we only had a slight idea of the impact our product would have on its day-to-day users,” said Darren Lancaster, VP of Marketing and Co-Founder of ThinOPTICS. “And now, this incredible new partnership with ArtLifting allows our customers to have a profound effect on the lives of these artists who are facing struggles that most cannot imagine. That’s a great feeling – to be a part of something that truly incorporates the big picture, especially around the holidays when providing extra support to those who may not be as fortunate can make all the difference.”

The ultra-thin Universal Pod cases and matching glasses featuring “A Balanced Patriotism” by Tim Strouss and “Bipolar Inspiration” by Randy Nicholson retail for $29.95, and the subsequent eight designed cases that come with classic color ThinOPTICS lenses retail for $24.95. These designs and all ThinOPTICS glasses can be purchased at www.thinoptics.com/artlifting with the exclusive and limited collection launching just in time for the Holidays.

About ThinOPTICS

ThinOPTICS entered the market in 2014 and was launched by a passionate team who believes that reading glasses users should be able to access their glasses at any given time. After 200 prototypes and countless trials, the ThinOPTICS team created the “stick anywhere, go everywhere” reading glasses that are as thin as two credit cards, weigh less than a nickel and easily attach to phones or can be slipped into a wallet, purse or pockets.

The reading glasses can be purchased in three strengths: Low Range (+1.50D), Mid Range (+2.00D) and High Range (+2.50D). ThinOPTICS, which recently shipped its one-millionth pair of glasses, currently offers cases for Apple and Samsung phones, as well as in a Universal Pod and Keychain case. They can be purchased on the company’s website and Amazon, but are also available in Walmart Optical, Target, Walgreen’s, and Safeway stores, as well as over 1,000 Independent Specialty Retailers across the U.S. ThinOPTICS was named “Best in Class – Iconic Design” by Inc., “Best of CES 2015” by PCWorld and has been featured on CBS News Sunday Morning, Yahoo! Tech, FOX News, Real Simple, Refinery29 and more. For additional information on ThinOPTICS, visit www.thinoptics.com.

About ArtLifting

ArtLifting empowers artists who are living with homelessness or disabilities through the celebration and sale of their artwork. ArtLifting is about creating opportunity, empowerment and validation, offering artists the chance to secure their own income through the sale of original paintings, prints and products. By showcasing and selling artwork via ArtLifting.com, artists gain self-confidence that permeates all aspects of their lives.

Prior to starting ArtLifting, co-founder and Chief Happiness Spreader Liz Powers spent ten years working with homeless individuals and ran art programs in women’s homeless shelters in Boston. She quickly recognized two things: an abundance of talent and strength in the artists with whom she worked and a missing avenue for these artists to share their work with a large audience. Teaming up with her brother, Spencer, Liz Powers decided that there was a way to both promote the great art she was discovering and make it profitable for the artist. For more information about ArtLifting, visit www.artlifting.com.

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