We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Daniel Savion Gupta a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Daniel Savion, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Daniel Savion Gupta, an entrepreneur and art collector, has spent the past 15 years curating works from artists around the world, building a collection that reflects both artistic excellence and a deep commitment to humanitarian efforts, Born in Chicago and raised in Bloomington, Indiana, entrepreneurship was the only path that made sense to Daniel. and by the age of 25 he had achieved success in several industries. With no experience in the automotive industry, Daniel started selling used cars out of his driveway, turning a small hustle into Premium &Exotic Wholesale—now the largest custom hauler truck company in the U.S. That same spirit fostered investment in Real Estate and the resultant large scale development projects and portfolio management.
It was at this point that Gupta reflected “How can I use what I’m building to make the world a better place?” That realization reshaped his entire purpose, and his vision of the International Art Project became a reality. https://internationalartproject.org/
From building water systems in several villages in Nicaragua and Nepal where there was no running water: providing long-term educational access by building a school in Delhi, India, funding libraries, playgrounds, and donating school supplies in Niger, West Africa and worldwide, the list of humanitarian projects and initiatives Daniel has facilitated grew from his local community in Indiana and now spans the globe.
Fast forward to 2025, and The International Art Project is now a shared vision: a Foundation where Where Art Fuels Humanity where the mission is to empower individuals to contribute meaningfully by harnessing Fine Art as a catalyst for transparency, connection, and direct involvement in transformative projects—https://internationalartproject.org/past-projects and creating lasting impact in communities locally, nationally and globally.
“True impact happens when people come together,” said Gupta. “The more we unite around a shared purpose, the greater the change we can create.”
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
From Business to Humanitarian Impact.
I believe that being born in America is the greatest opportunity someone could have. I began to travel the globe and through my travels, I saw something that changed my entire perspective: What would it be like to have all these skills, all this talent, but never get the chance to use them or have recognition? That’s what I saw in Artists —talent without an opportunity to offer or exhibit magnificent works in many mediums. With a plan to find and support those who had the skills but not the means, my journey became determined and focused. I was no longer just an Art Collector, I was now someone looking to create real change through and within the Art Space.
At first these self-funded humanitarian projects were often single-serve efforts, primarily focused on helping children and supporting communities. These early initiatives frequently involved providing resources to schools, delivering food and supplies to villages, and offering direct aid where it was needed most. But over time, I realized that real impact wasn’t just about one-time donations—it was about sustainability.
In 2013, I met Jonatan Espinoza in Nicaragua, initially recognizing him as an incredible artist. A few years later, I returned to Nicaragua with the specific intent of finding Jonatan again. I asked Jonatan, “What can we do to make this a better place?” That’s when Jonatan revealed that beyond being an artist, he was also an architect and engineer. He explained that they had the ability to create something truly impactful—a playground that would directly serve the community. The first project was born. Espinoza designed, engineered, and built it with his team, and that project changed everything.
In 2024, I brought Jonatan and his entire family from Nicaragua to Bloomington, Indiana, giving them a new home and new opportunities while continuing our shared mission to use Art as a tool for change. Together we have completed twelve water projects, bringing running water to homes that did not have water, built two schools, two libraries and four playgrounds worldwide.
What began as a private Collection of hidden global talent has grown into a Foundation, a gallery space and A MOVEMENT, In 2024 I launched the International Art Project Foundation, a non-profit 501 (c) 3 designed to create tangible, transformative humanitarian projects while serving as a platform for artistic collaboration, as well as the Elysian Art Collection, a highly curated collection of undiscovered talent from around the world and designed to fuel IAP initiatives and other humanitarian causes. The Foundation is headquartered in downtown Bloomington and also houses an exhibited Collection of Fine Art by extraordinary Artists Jonathan Espinoza, French Artists Gyuri Lohmuller, Adina Lohmuller, and Ricardo Maya. www.elysianartcollection.com
For me, this is my life’s work: to uplift the Artists behind the works, amplify their stories, and have a community built around creativity, purpose and impact. This is Art With A Purpose, and why I do what I do every single day.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I am often asked about “The Why”…..the connection from my business life and success to giving back in this specific manner and in the utilization of Creators and their extraordinary artistic gifts to fuel my vision.
It wasn’t just about giving art a purpose—it was about building a movement and bringing in changemakers, corporate entities, like-minded individuals and fine art galleries and channels of distribution to sell the Art to fuel the projects. I realized that through the Foundation I could create a community where people weren’t just supporting change—they were experiencing it together. That realization was the most impactful for me and each and every day I credit the life skills I was imbued with from my parents as well as my business acumen that has allowed me to see my vision come to life. I am truly blessed.
It’s wonderful to have a dream, and the one thing I want your readers to take away with them from my story is that to be successful in any endeavor one must have tangible, transparent, and measurable results: ensuring every initiative leads to real, visible change that people can experience firsthand.
My advice is always to follow your path and your passion by working really hard. There will always be bumps in the road but use every single resource available to you and pull from your experiences: In short BELIEVE IN YOURSELF: Innovate, engage, support and connect.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
IAP serves as a platform for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable change, offering new ways for people and organizations to engage in humanitarian efforts. We are seeking to partner with other Nonprofits & Corporate entities, and welcome all Community Organizations throughout the world. We actively welcome Individuals & Businesses to Create Brand Partnerships and we also offer Events in our Bloomington Gallery Space that align Businesses and expand resources. Donors can fully fund and take ownership of high-impact humanitarian projects.
Notably, and among the first of its’ kind ,The IAP Fine Art Donation Program creates a new standard: one where your art doesn’t just hang on a wall—it funds projects, fuels purpose, and brings hope to places that need it most. I have developed a platform where artists, collectors, and people with inherited artwork can donate fine art to a cause. Each accepted piece becomes part of a larger mission—displayed at events, used in campaigns, and shown to audiences who care deeply about positive impact.
Whether you’re donating your own work or inherited art, we make sure it’s not forgotten—it’s directly used for humanitarian causes.
Companies and brands can attach their name to transformative philanthropic efforts .Instead of passive donations, businesses gain and realize an opportunity to integrate real, documented humanitarian work into their brand identity. Every initiative is professionally filmed and photographed, providing tangible proof of impact for marketing and storytelling. All donors have the great benefit of our significant global PR campaigns funded by IAP.
At its core, IAP is about making the world a better place—and bringing people together to do it.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.internstionalartproject.com www.elysianartcollection.com (both please)
- Instagram: elysian.art.collection international.art.project
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/international.art.project https://www.facebook.com/elysianartcollection
- Linkedin: Daniel Gupta LinkedIn
- Twitter: @intartproject
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c41XABcSM8Q
- Other: If possible: THE PROMINENT LINK COULD BE TO THE CONVERSATION: IT TRULY TELLS THE ENTIRE STORY OF MY JOURNEY AND WHAT WE DO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c41XABcSM8Q
Image Credits
Photos courtesy of The International Art Project Foundation and Daniel Savion Gupta Provided by Relevant Communications All Rights Reserved 2025
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