Art4Lax is a grassroots initiative brought to you by artist Ryan Cronin and CronArtUSA to support the growth of a nationwide lacrosse program in Senegal, West Africa. This ground-up initiative seeks to assist in the establishment of a vibrant community of administrators, coaches, and players from within Senegal. Funds raised will provide everything from essential gear and equipment, to building and fostering a network of leaders to propel the program forward.
Both art and athletics require the same daily focus and commitment that shape not just skills, but identity and purpose.
They provide young people with structure, community, and a place to channel their energy—developing vision, creativity, discipline, and the ability to see opportunities others miss.
Art4Lax harnesses this dual power to give communities tools for self-expression and connection that transcend language and cultural barriers.
Art4Lax is a grassroots initiative founded by artist and lacrosse coach Ryan Cronin that supports the establishment and growth of sustainable lacrosse programs in developing countries through strategic partnerships.
In 2019, Ryan was selected for an artist residency at Thread Artist Residency and Cultural Center in Senegal's Tambacounda region through the Josef and Anni Albers Foundation. When asked to share something with the local community, Ryan—who credits art and sports with saving him as a teenager—packed a suitcase of donated lacrosse equipment and introduced the game to the village of Sinthian. Despite the language barrier, kids immediately gathered outside his studio each evening to play.
After returning to the States, Ryan organized fundraisers to send jerseys and equipment. In 2022, he partnered with Le Korsa (the philanthropic arm of the Albers Foundation) to run Senegal's first official lacrosse clinic, drawing over sixty children in three days. Le Korsa reported they had never seen children take to a sport with such excitement. Since then, Art4Lax has returned multiple times to run clinics and has supported the introduction of the game in Sinthian and Richard Toll regions.
In 2025, our partnership with professional athletes Ally Mastroianni and Samantha Geiresbach brought world-class athletic expertise to the initiative, elevating our ability to provide top-tier instruction and mentorship. We provide boots-on-the-ground clinics, long-term coach mentorship, equipment, and ongoing support to build programs that communities own and operate themselves.
Through our NGO partner Le Korsa in Senegal, we create meaningful person-to-person connections between young people who would otherwise never meet. When kids in the United States sit down to make bracelets and write notes for students at Les Foyer school in Tambacounda, they're doing more than crafting—they're reaching across an ocean to say "I see you. Tell me about your world." These exchanges transform abstract geography into real relationships, breaking down the barriers that keep young people from understanding each other's lives, dreams, and shared humanity. This is how global citizenship begins—not through lectures, but through genuine curiosity and connection.
🎯 Diversification of Sports Offerings: Enriching the range of disciplines available to young people, stimulating their curiosity and engagement through a sport that combines strategy, speed, and creativity.
🎯 International Outreach & Cultural Exchange: Creating meaningful person-to-person connections through exchanges between players across continents—youth creating art, sharing stories, and building relationships that transcend borders. World-class athletes bring not just technical expertise, but inspiration that local youth can see themselves in.
🎯 Education and Values: Developing discipline, mutual respect, and cooperation through a team sport that requires strategic thinking and collaborative play.
🎯 Personal Growth and Empowerment: Fostering critical thinking, self-expression, self-awareness, collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills through the combined power of art and athletics. We challenge the false divide between artist and athlete, showing young people that the same qualities drive both pursuits—vision, dedication, and the courage to be seen.
🎯 Diversification of Sports Offerings: Enriching the range of disciplines available to young people, stimulating their curiosity and engagement through a sport that combines strategy, speed, and creativity.
🎯 International Outreach & Cultural Exchange: Creating meaningful person-to-person connections through exchanges between players across continents—youth creating art, sharing stories, and building relationships that transcend borders. World-class athletes bring not just technical expertise, but inspiration that local youth can see themselves in.
🎯 Education and Values: Developing discipline, mutual respect, and cooperation through a team sport that requires strategic thinking and collaborative play.
🎯 Personal Growth and Empowerment: Fostering critical thinking, self-expression, self-awareness, collaboration, teamwork, and leadership skills through the combined power of art and athletics. We challenge the false divide between artist and athlete, showing young people that the same qualities drive both pursuits—vision, dedication, and the courage to be seen.
Art4Lax relies on grassroots support to build sustainable programs. Whether you're an individual, team, organization, or business, there are meaningful ways to contribute:
Fundraise
Organize equipment drives, host lacrosse clinics or tournaments as fundraisers, coordinate community fundraising events, or launch online campaigns
Direct Support
Provide financial donations, sponsor equipment packages, or donate gently used lacrosse gear
Partner With Us
Connect us with networks, facilitate introductions, or help us build alliances with players and teams around the world
Immediate Needs:
Donate through Team USA's Ally Mastroianni's GoFundMe campaign for Art4Lax.It’s as easy as scanning the code. 100% of funds raised go directly to Le Korsa, our fiscal sponsor and NGO partner in Senegal, ensuring your contribution supports programs on the ground.
