Bring Ruby Back To Life

My name is Eli, and I am an artist, photographer, and audio engineer who relies primarily on personal travel to support myself and my projects. On my way to an event to mount art and build community last week, my trusted minivan, Ruby, experienced some spectacular malfunctions that have left it undrivable. While I am still waiting to have the car towed back to NJ for a full diagnosis (as of 5/30/23, updates to follow), I was told by the collision spot who first saw it that I may need a full transmission rebuild. The amount I have chosen as a goal is a ballpark estimate. Besides this issue, the car has always been extremely reliable and a huge asset for myself, my work, and everybody I know.

I have decided to try and crowdfund repair money for several reasons. First and foremost is that I am not financially stable in the way I have been in past years. In 2019, I suffered a spinal injury that has been a constant companion ever since, and has majorly disrupted my ability to find accessable work. While I used to work full time in New York as an audio engineer and stagehand, I am taking less of this kind of work in order to focus on my recovery, which, to put it lightly, has been a doozy. There are definitely still jobs there to be had, but often I cannot handle a rough commute, or need to bring my car in if I have to transport equipment instead of carrying it. A private disability policy that I was benefiting from every month from an old employer has recently expired, and starting in May of this year, I have been gradually reintroducing myself into the work force. I am not fully established yet, and especially now that I am seeking to make money on my own terms in ways that are safe for me, I am relying on my van to take me where I need to go.

Ruby has enabled me to continue pursuing many great loves during this weird, painful, and ultimately enlightening time: portrait and landscape photography, which have also progressed into a business I am proud of; hiking and continuing to be able to get outdoors, even with my spine; giving me access to volunteer opportunities inside my many communities; and allowing me to follow my dreams of mounting huge art installations that I have built both myself and with help from friends. Specifically, I have accepted a grant to build a project at the end of June that is already almost finished, and I hope to have a way to get it down to southern NJ in time for the community there to enjoy it.

This is not a new car, but it is mine, and has been in my family, transporting loved ones and friends both old and new since I was in high school. If the costs of repair outweigh the benefits of investing in a new vehicle, I will make a decision that is conducive to the future. If repair costs are lower than expected, or more funds are raised than I am seeking, the remainder of the money will be donated back to the collective behind the regional burn I was on my way to when I broke down only a thousand feet from the entrance. Thanks to their generosity and kindness, the art installation I had worked on for months was still able to be taken to the event and I had a safe place to exist for the weekend while my car was diagnosed.

If you find yourself in a position to contribute, anything at all is truly appreciated! No matter the outcome, I am committed to continuing to make art and reinvest into the communities I am so lucky to be involved with.

Thank you,

Eli Bronstein