Alpha Workshops has been an industry pioneer since its founding in 1995, both in developing a unique training curriculum and in creating a flexible, supportive workplace responsive to the medical, financial, and emotional needs of people living with a chronic illness. Participants receive professional training in faux finishes, gilding, restoration, and the design and production of hand-blocked wallpaper. 100% of donations received go toward the training programs; all other costs are covered by income earned by the artisans. Alpha competes with commercial firms for commissions, which have included work on a number of the area private residences and designer showhouses as well as a large faux-marble floor for Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the Mayor of New York City. Two of Alpha wallpapers are in the permanent collection of the Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum and the entire Painted Papers collection received an Elle Decor International Design Award in 2002. Their wall coverings line consists of 20 original hand-painted patterns and is available to-the-trade through showrooms in New York and Florida; fabric designed by Alpha Workshops is also available through the Pollack showroom in New York.