Fundraising efforts have been on the rise across the United States to support Angelenos who have been displaced due to the devastating fires that have ravaged Los Angeles County over the past 10 days. In a show of solidarity, two art-oriented events have been organized in New York City this weekend to raise funds for affected artists, particularly Black and Latino families from Altadena.
On Saturday and Sunday, four art spaces in Manhattan’s Lower East Side have come together for an event called NY4LA. This art fundraiser aims to raise money for the Grief and Hope GoFundMe, with a goal of distributing $500,000 in stipends to LA artists. Galleries My Pet Ram, Below Grand, and Entrance, along with event venue and bar Beverly’s, have curated works by 60 artists to be sold onsite at Entrance’s space on Ludlow Street. Each artwork is priced below $1,000, and buyers can collect their purchases between 11am and 8pm on both days. Additionally, those who make a purchase on Saturday can enjoy a complimentary drink at Beverly’s from 7pm onwards.
Remy Zimmerman, one of the event organizers, expressed that NY4LA is a testament to the power of community and the ability of creativity and compassion to transcend geographical boundaries, especially in times of crisis.
As firefighters continue to battle the blazes in Los Angeles, the Eaton Fire has already destroyed over 7,000 structures and claimed at least 17 lives, while the Palisades fire, which is currently 31% contained, has destroyed over 3,500 structures and resulted in at least 10 confirmed deaths, as reported by the Los Angeles Times.
In a separate event on Sunday, January 19, Canada gallery in Tribeca will host a reading featuring novelist Stephanie Wambugu, poet Ariana Reines, film director Peter Vack, and writers Ani Tatintsyan, Riska Seval, Khaholi Bailey, and Alyssa Reeder. The event has been organized by Tif Sigfrids’s alt-weekly newspaper Umm…, alongside writer Sammy Loren’s literary tabloid On The Rag and counterculture readings series Casual Encountersz. Visitors will have the opportunity to donate to nearly 400 GoFundMe campaigns supporting Black and Latino residents of Altadena who have lost their homes and businesses to the Eaton fire, which is now 65% contained as of Friday morning.
Loren emphasized the importance of giving back to Los Angeles, the city that shaped their voices and community, stating that when Altadena was burning, there was no doubt that they had to come together and support the city that had given them so much.
The events in New York City aim to not only raise funds for the affected artists and residents of Altadena but also to stand in solidarity with the entire Los Angeles community during this challenging time. Through art, creativity, and community support, these events hope to make a positive impact and provide relief to those impacted by the devastating fires.
