Help Preserve the Legacy of David Cannon Dashiell

The Back Story

David Cannon Dashiell was an artist who died of AIDS in San Francisco in 1993. It happened a few days before the closing of his celebrated and historic exhibition Queer Mysteries for the prestigious Adeline Kent Award at the San Francisco Art Institute. Queer Mysteries is now in the collection of SFMOMA.

Soon after the exhibition’s closing, a group of his friends rallied to preserve David’s legacy. His estate had passed to his partner, Lewis, who teamed with the crew until he died intestate of AIDS one year later. David's work became the property of Lewis' brother, who had no interest in it. It became clear that David's friends needed to gain control of David's work and someone willing to own it to do so. It was then that Sono Osato stepped forward. His work was transferred to her by deed of gift in 1996, and what remained of the Estate of David Cannon Dashiell was rescued.

Detail of David's mural

Queer Mysteries, acrylic back painted on plexi, 8'x108', 1993

WHY SONO NEEDS YOUR ASSISTANCE

For the past twenty-five years looking after David’s legacy has been a volunteer operation with no outside funding. Expenses have come out of Sono’s pockets, which are far from deep and no longer sustainable. In order to maintain the infrastructure of David's estate and bring it to the next level, there needs to be a financial cushion. For example, in the past year, Sono has financed over $4000 of the estate’s expenses with her savings. They include David’s new website, internet fees, travel to San Francisco to review inventory and shipping to the GLBT Historical Society. From the beginning of Sono's management, her out-of-pocket expenses, primarily storage, shipping, travel and online promotion, have totaled around $44,000. This overhead has become very difficult for Sono to maintain alone. This campaign will fund help with all of the above expenses.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP

Donate what you can here on GoFundMe!

Purchase David's books Queer Mysteries Catalog and/or Invert/Oracle

Purchase a work of David’s art presented under Available Work on his website. (contact Sono for prices.)

Share this fundraiser, David’s website and IG with anyone who cares.

GOOD STUFF BECAUSE THE ESTATE EXISTS

*A fantastic feature on the Visual AIDS blog series by Gina Pratt Lily

*Works in the collections of SFMOMA, Whitney and Berkeley Art Museum.

*Inclusion in numerous prestigious exhibitions.

*A great new website.

*An archive at the LGBT Historical Society in San Francisco.

*A strengthened online presence.

*Numerous college and post-graduate projects.

*A following across generations and internationally on Instagram.

Thanks so much for your time. Please learn more about David's work and life on his website, and please consider contributing to the Legacy of David Cannon Dashiell.

My very best,

Sono

The Director of the Estate of David Cannon Dashiell