Help Manu to get a etching press

Hi everyone, I'm Manuel Ruelas, an artist and educator.

I’m fundraising for a etching press cost and start my printmaking studio in Mexico, it will be a printmaking studio to work with the children of my community, emerging and established artists.

I'm Mexican artist who lived in California.

In December 2021, I traveled to Mexico to see my family. Back at the Oakland airport the nightmare began, I had a J2 work visa, I was detained, harassed and deported.I had my old expired work permit card in my wallet and I had a message on my phone from my job (they took my phone and did not return it until I arrived in Mexico). They deported me for working with an expired work permit. My renewed work permit was in the mail at my address in the United States. I was told that my punishment was that I could not return to the United States for 5 years.

I lost almost everything, I had my Printmaking studio in Oakland, my etching press it was there, I can't bring it, I had to leave it there because it was very expensive and difficult to send it to Mexico.

My girlfriend helped me bring me some of my art and clothes.

The backpack that I traveled to Mexico it was the only thing I had after my deportation, after that has been difficult for me to get one, honestly it is something essential to be able to continue doing my job as a printmaker.

It has been an extremely traumatic experience.

I am an artist and was working as a teacher, having exhibitions and projects in different museums and galleries in the United States.

In Spanish we say "for a reason things happen" por algo pasan las cosas...

Fuerza y para aldelante!

I will give prints for people who can donate to help this project.

Thank you very much and I hope you can help me

Muchas gracias y espero puedes ayudarme.