Please help my friend Martin get back on their feet. In May of 2020 Martin was in a house fire that destroyed everything; all of their photos from their childhood in Liberia, their photos of their family, as well as their art and art materials.
Martin immigrated from Liberia to Providence in 2005 and over the years has become a vital part of the Providence art community. Not only are they activism in the Black community, but they are also the founder of the CEP journal that launched in the fall of 2016, a publication that highlights and gives space to the people of color in Providence. Martin’s art is extremely important and is something that is needed because they are lifting marginalized voices and giving platforms for people who might not have been seen if it was not for Martin’s advocating in the art world. They make work using many different mediums that grapple with Identity, Belonging, Otherness & what it means to be a Liberian-born immigrant in a foreign land the difficulties of assimilating to the “American” lifestyle.
In May of 2020, During the height of the Global pandemic, Martin was without a home. They had to start over again, not only during a pandemic, but also during a time where racial awakening of the white public. Even with this travesty that happened in May, Martin was still out on the streets protesting for Black Lives Matter, the following month. Losing everything is hard. Trying to create a solid foundation is hard. Martin was put in a dark place, having to Juggle being without a home, having no place to make art, no art materials when art is an essential emotional outlet for them, being a Black person when everyone around them was talking about Black trauma, having no money to afford their necessary liver medication and trying to be a student all at the same time. But after some time, Martin was open to being able to ask for help. They are finally letting people help them after helping lift up others for years. I am happy to say that Martin has found housing, and a studio space. The future is looking bright for Martin. They have moved into an artist studio, and are even making art again which has been improving their mental health. Martin is even planning on completing their degree in the coming fall. However, a house fire is a huge loss and they are still working to get their life settled again. This GoFundMe was started because Martin lost their foundation, they have managed to be able to build the structure and set up a thriving life but need the foundational grounding tie which is money. The money that you donate is dedicated to paying for their stable housing, essential living expenses, and art materials. We love Martin and want them to succeed.
Martin immigrated from Liberia to Providence in 2005 and over the years has become a vital part of the Providence art community. Not only are they activism in the Black community, but they are also the founder of the CEP journal that launched in the fall of 2016, a publication that highlights and gives space to the people of color in Providence. Martin’s art is extremely important and is something that is needed because they are lifting marginalized voices and giving platforms for people who might not have been seen if it was not for Martin’s advocating in the art world. They make work using many different mediums that grapple with Identity, Belonging, Otherness & what it means to be a Liberian-born immigrant in a foreign land the difficulties of assimilating to the “American” lifestyle.
In May of 2020, During the height of the Global pandemic, Martin was without a home. They had to start over again, not only during a pandemic, but also during a time where racial awakening of the white public. Even with this travesty that happened in May, Martin was still out on the streets protesting for Black Lives Matter, the following month. Losing everything is hard. Trying to create a solid foundation is hard. Martin was put in a dark place, having to Juggle being without a home, having no place to make art, no art materials when art is an essential emotional outlet for them, being a Black person when everyone around them was talking about Black trauma, having no money to afford their necessary liver medication and trying to be a student all at the same time. But after some time, Martin was open to being able to ask for help. They are finally letting people help them after helping lift up others for years. I am happy to say that Martin has found housing, and a studio space. The future is looking bright for Martin. They have moved into an artist studio, and are even making art again which has been improving their mental health. Martin is even planning on completing their degree in the coming fall. However, a house fire is a huge loss and they are still working to get their life settled again. This GoFundMe was started because Martin lost their foundation, they have managed to be able to build the structure and set up a thriving life but need the foundational grounding tie which is money. The money that you donate is dedicated to paying for their stable housing, essential living expenses, and art materials. We love Martin and want them to succeed.
Organizer and beneficiary
Martin Cephas
Beneficiary