Emergency Relief: Help Gabriel and Marcus Rebuild After Fire

Sunday April 21, 2024, a devastating fire swept through Middle Earth Studios in Kempton, PA, destroying the company barn and "The Coop," the cherished home/studio of Gabriel, Marcus, and their two beloved dogs, Henry and Molly.

Although physically unharmed, Gabriel and Marcus lost their home, most of their belongings, and access to the theater company’s fully equipped woodworking shop, including Gabriel's entire collection of handcrafted marionette puppets—years of artistry and archival history gone in one horrific evening.

Gabriel Hazuda is a puppeteer dedicated to the art and history of marionettes. Marcus Pitcavage is a talented visual artist and designer. Together, they had been transforming their home/studio into a haven of merriment, enchantment, and whimsy—the kind of joyous place the world so desperately needs right now.

The loss is not only personal; it's a heartbreaking blow to the arts community. Their immediate artistic and financial loss is substantial, and they are without insurance or existing institutional support.

How You Can Help:

We're rallying our community—friends, artists, and anyone who values the arts—to support Gabriel and Marcus during this devastating chapter in their lives.

While they're very fortunate to have immediate support and emergency housing from their families, they will need ongoing assistance. Your contribution, no matter the size, will help them rebuild their lives after the initial shock has worn off.

Any Support Matters:

Financial Contribution: Any amount you can give will go directly towards supporting their livelihood through this transition and rebuilding a new home and workshop.

Resource Contribution: If you can't contribute financially, consider donating equipment, materials, or any other resource you think would be helpful to them. This google sheet is how we're organizing non-cash donations

Professional Assistance: We're seeking contacts for journalists or storytellers, anyone who can help share their story to organize long term support.

Institutional Support: If you have a relationship with arts or cultural institutions which offer funding, grants, residencies, or hosting opportunities which support artists in emergency need, please let us know!

Spread the word: Even if you can't contribute, please share this campaign with the networks you feel comfortable sourcing extended support from, and thank you for extending this ask for us.

Contact:

Tegan McDuffie, a close family friend, is organizing this relief effort to ease the burden on Gabriel and Marcus as they mourn and process this loss.

Please contact Tegan about direct support, recommendations, or suggestions.

Check out Gabe and Marcus’s work on their instagrams:

@ gabemakesit & @ marcuspitcavage

Thank you so, so much for your generosity during this difficult time.