For more than 30 years, Harold Cleworth has been the heart of Marco Place — our beloved neighbor, local artist, and the unofficial mayor of the block. Whether greeting passersby, sharing stories, or delighting children as the neighborhood’s famous “Bubble Man,” Harold has brought joy, creativity, and humanity to our community for decades.

Today, at 86 years old, Harold is facing a challenge he cannot overcome alone.

Harold (and the other tenants in his courtyard building) have been notified that they must vacate to make way for new development. After decades in a rent-controlled apartment, Harold is being displaced. He has lived his entire adult life painting-to-painting, with limited savings, and the physical realities of aging make relocation and related finances especially difficult.

Harold is a widely respected automotive artist, known for his paintings of vintage cars that have inspired collectors and car lovers around the world. His art has been his lifelong livelihood. While his passion for painting remains strong, he cannot rely on continuing to work indefinitely — and this sudden displacement places his long-term stability at real risk.

A dear friend and neighbor, Andy Vong, has generously offered Harold a place to live nearby so he can remain in the neighborhood and stay connected to the people and routines that give his life meaning. However, for Harold to live there safely and comfortably, significant accessibility modifications are required, including the addition of a ground-floor bathroom. These costs are well beyond what Harold can fund on his own.

We are coming together to raise $30,000 to help Harold:

• Safely transition out of his apartment

• Fund essential accessibility modifications at his new home space

• Cover housing-related costs during this transition

• Remain in the community he has called home for more than three decades

This effort is about dignity, stability, and ensuring that Harold is not displaced again later in life.

To ensure transparency and accountability, all funds will be placed in a trust account in Harold’s name, overseen by:

• Chris Cooper, CPA

• Austin Harms, attorney, friend, and neighbor

• Andy Vong, dear friend

We will gladly provide an accounting of how funds are used to anyone who requests it.

Harold has spent a lifetime creating beauty, sparking joy, and building community. Now, we have the opportunity to give back — to make sure he can live safely, comfortably, and with peace of mind in the neighborhood he loves.

Every donation, large or small, makes a meaningful difference.

Thank you for helping keep Harold in our community.