Visual Art – Kitchener-Waterloo
Israel Crooks is rapidly becoming one of the Golden Horseshoe's most sought after portrait artists. He is able to see beyond the surface, as he captures the mood and vitality - "...the very essence of..." his subjects, as his growing list of satisfied clients all proclaim.
An active member of the Art Gallery of Burlington, The Burlington Fine Arts Association, and the Arts & Culture Collective of Burlington, he is quick to be involved in building a vibrant arts community in the city.
Israel operates out of his own private studio, where he also utilizes his training as an Educator and Artist-Educator to help at-risk youth cope with strong emotions through the canvas. He has been able to assist many to get off drugs, leave crime/gangs and return to school in Hamilton. He has also travelled to Kingston, Jamaica to help students cope with the effects of inner-city violence.