ABOUT ONE THOUSAND BEARS PROJECT
We like to help people smile
Hi there! Do you like to make people smile? So do we.
We're John and Mako. We're artists who create fine art teddy bear photos to communicate emotions and ideas. (Mako, who is Japanese, likes to say, "kuma-nicate" because "kuma" is the Japanese word for "bear.")
God and the American Dream have been good to the two of us, so to give back, we decided to donate limited edition, museum-quality prints of our favorite teddy bear images to hospitals and hospices around the world. We call this effort our "One Thousand Bears Project."
Our motto is, "Teddy bear photos may not cure patients, but if they put a smile on their faces, we've done our job."
We do not ask for your financial support. What we do seek are introductions to hospitals and hospices who would like to receive a print from us at no cost. (The only "strings attached" are the ones on the back of the frame.)
Please contact us if you would like to introduce a deserving institution.
our motto:
"Teddy bear photos may not cure patients, but if they put a smile on their faces, we've done our job."
Our Team
Our History
Our History
Over 1,000 teddy bears have joined with us to help bring smiles to the faces of patients in hospitals and hospices around the world. That's why we call our activity the "One Thousand Bears Project!"
Our History
Our History
Our History
In 2012, one of our relatives required treatment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. We learned the hospital considers art to be a major factor improving the health of their patients. We made our first donation (above) at that time, and decided to make this project our contribution to a better world.
Our Mission
Our History
Our Mission
We donate museum-quality, fine art photographic prints of teddy bears to hospitals and hospices around the world, to give their patients a reason to smile.
You can help by introducing us to your local hospital or hospice.
