Marlene's Studio Fire Fund
Donation protected
There was a fire in my studio last night. My supplies that I use to create my work were destroyed as well as all of my framing I had just purchased to frame my work for my upcoming Fall shows. I had also just had day one of my 3 weeks of art camp that I run every summer, which would have earned me $3000 in income. My space will not be usable for me to run my camp. There is water and smoke damage throughout my 1000 square foot space. The money raised from this fund will pay for my bills that I would have paid with my income from my camps and towards new supplies so that I can start painting again. I have two fall shows lined up for September and October that I am hoping I can somehow still keep. Most likely I will use my drawings for the September show if I can replace the framing and work that I have in other places for the October show, as well as any paintings I manage to create when I can get rolling again.
I am beginning to realize that all of my work may be lost, as it may look okay to the eyes, but is permeated with the smell of smoke. My drawings were somehow miraculously saved. I have two fall shows, and the only way I know how to cope is to focus on making them happen. So what I can do that is not in my wrecked space is draw at home. And I may have to move and part with much of what is in my studio, which is where I will be calling on help. The pouring out of love from everyone has been amazing.
day 2: I moved all of the paintings out of the space. Most of the work smells bad but is otherwise undamaged. I am having the fire restorers do a treatment tomorrow night that hopefully will get the smell out. If they are recoverable, then I only lost 30 paintings out of my body of work which is way better than all! So fingers crossed!
My heart goes out to the other people in my building that were affected as the water from the sprinklers was on for hours rendering their studios a lake and causing an immense amount of damage. It is my intention to help in fundraising efforts for the other people in my building. I can not begin to fathom the losses of the other people that were below me.
I am blown away by the amount of love and support that has come my way during this difficult time. Thank you all! I have already started to refund people from my art camp, pay my mortgage, and other bills that I would otherwise not be able to without the generous support from the community.
I am beginning to realize that all of my work may be lost, as it may look okay to the eyes, but is permeated with the smell of smoke. My drawings were somehow miraculously saved. I have two fall shows, and the only way I know how to cope is to focus on making them happen. So what I can do that is not in my wrecked space is draw at home. And I may have to move and part with much of what is in my studio, which is where I will be calling on help. The pouring out of love from everyone has been amazing.
day 2: I moved all of the paintings out of the space. Most of the work smells bad but is otherwise undamaged. I am having the fire restorers do a treatment tomorrow night that hopefully will get the smell out. If they are recoverable, then I only lost 30 paintings out of my body of work which is way better than all! So fingers crossed!
My heart goes out to the other people in my building that were affected as the water from the sprinklers was on for hours rendering their studios a lake and causing an immense amount of damage. It is my intention to help in fundraising efforts for the other people in my building. I can not begin to fathom the losses of the other people that were below me.
I am blown away by the amount of love and support that has come my way during this difficult time. Thank you all! I have already started to refund people from my art camp, pay my mortgage, and other bills that I would otherwise not be able to without the generous support from the community.
Organizer
Marlene Rye
Organizer
Westhampton, MA
