rebuild Aquarium Gallery N Studios
Donation protected
The Aquarium Gallery N Studio was something I dreamt up 6 years ago while using my bedroom as a studio and my closet as my bedroom. In 2011 I finally found a place in the Bywater that needed almost everything but the wood structure and started building it into my dream home and art collective. This space allowed for multiple residents, working studio space, a gallery and a home base for many in the community.
Over the years we have slowly grown as rooms came together and, by this year, we had 3 residents and 8 artists working in the studios. There was a huge range of artwork coming out of the Aquarium including, textile collages, embroidery, illustration, painting, portraiture, photography, collage, sculpture, and metal work. The Aquarium was a home base for many Mardi Gras krewes, artists passing through, and friends of friends. We have hosted many event such as gallery pARTies, workshops, runway shows, vogue offs, craft nights, storytelling events, and more. We encouraged artists to do what made them happy and create works and installations truly for the sake of making art.
June 1st my boyfriend was moving into my apartment so I had left on clamp lights on in the shed to light it, as well as the alleyway. Around 11pm, while dropping off more bags, we smelled something we assumed was incense and inquired with our resident artist, Joey, about them. We noticed it was strongest outside so we assumed it must have been a neighbor, and at 1am we finished moving and unplugged the extension-cord, turning the lights off. An hour later I woke up on the 2nd floor to a roaring fire that engulfed the shed and was going up to the roof. Fortunately, all of the residents got out in time, but the fire tore apart the house, claiming all the art, art supplies and our community base.
I will rebuild the Aquarium but we have huge hurdles to overcome. The house did not have insurance and most was lost. We suffered 40% structural damage, and have way more than $50,000 worth of damage, but your small donation will help insure the survival of the Aquarium. With your donation we can keep moving forward with rebuilding while I negotiate with bank loans. We have already gotten started demolishing what is unstable, while stabilizing what is there. We have already thrown away 4 dumpsters worth of roof, sheet-rock, art supplies, art and everything that belonged in two apartments and eight art studios.
Please show your support. Even $5, or just a share on social media, will help us continue this artistic hub in New Orleans.
There are many ways to help out: volunteer workdays, donating artwork/ art supplies, coming to many future community events and fundraisers. Telling your friends.
This September marks our 5th anniversary and we hope to celebrate it with you at NOCCA, which is hosting a Snorkel In September, a block party to benefit the Aquarium.
Over the years we have slowly grown as rooms came together and, by this year, we had 3 residents and 8 artists working in the studios. There was a huge range of artwork coming out of the Aquarium including, textile collages, embroidery, illustration, painting, portraiture, photography, collage, sculpture, and metal work. The Aquarium was a home base for many Mardi Gras krewes, artists passing through, and friends of friends. We have hosted many event such as gallery pARTies, workshops, runway shows, vogue offs, craft nights, storytelling events, and more. We encouraged artists to do what made them happy and create works and installations truly for the sake of making art.
June 1st my boyfriend was moving into my apartment so I had left on clamp lights on in the shed to light it, as well as the alleyway. Around 11pm, while dropping off more bags, we smelled something we assumed was incense and inquired with our resident artist, Joey, about them. We noticed it was strongest outside so we assumed it must have been a neighbor, and at 1am we finished moving and unplugged the extension-cord, turning the lights off. An hour later I woke up on the 2nd floor to a roaring fire that engulfed the shed and was going up to the roof. Fortunately, all of the residents got out in time, but the fire tore apart the house, claiming all the art, art supplies and our community base.
I will rebuild the Aquarium but we have huge hurdles to overcome. The house did not have insurance and most was lost. We suffered 40% structural damage, and have way more than $50,000 worth of damage, but your small donation will help insure the survival of the Aquarium. With your donation we can keep moving forward with rebuilding while I negotiate with bank loans. We have already gotten started demolishing what is unstable, while stabilizing what is there. We have already thrown away 4 dumpsters worth of roof, sheet-rock, art supplies, art and everything that belonged in two apartments and eight art studios.
Please show your support. Even $5, or just a share on social media, will help us continue this artistic hub in New Orleans.
There are many ways to help out: volunteer workdays, donating artwork/ art supplies, coming to many future community events and fundraisers. Telling your friends.
This September marks our 5th anniversary and we hope to celebrate it with you at NOCCA, which is hosting a Snorkel In September, a block party to benefit the Aquarium.
Organizer
Jacob Reptile Martin
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
