HOGWARTSIS4HOMEGIRLS (& so is YALE)
Donation protected
Dear friends, family, strangers with coin and big hearts,
I’m writing you with the exciting news that I’ve been accepted into what I know to be the equivalent of Hogwarts on this plane of reality: Yale. I received my owl a little over a month ago, and in that time I’ve realized that I can’t do this alone. I know for sure that Hogwarts is for Homegirls, and I believe that Yale is too. I know that this opportunity is not only reserved for the wealthy, and I know this because I have been blessed with a life experience that has proven to me time and time again that it takes a mf village. This is one of those times, and so I am humbled to be asking you for your support.
I actually remember drawing this picture when I was four. I remember the thrill of having an image in my mind, and then using color markers to bring it out onto the paper. I remember the great wonder that I might show this picture to someone else, and they would be able to see what I see. Like whaaaaa???? Magic.
So excited, I ran up to my mother and said: Look at what I drew!
(wow Amaryllis)
And then my big follow up question: Can you tell what it is?!
(ummmmm...... a pickle?)
Um, no mom, I was definitely not trying to draw a pickle, I was attempting my first portrait, but good guess LOL. And so became the game that I would soon realize I wanted to play for the rest of my life: this unwavering instinct to communicate through images, and then contribute them to the conversation of the world.
OK, so here’s the deal: I’ve been accepted into the Yale School of Art for an MFA in painting, and I am asking for your help to fulfill this first leg of the journey.
Yale’s MFA in painting is considered the #1 program in the world, and a program that only accepts 5% of it’s applicants. At Yale, I will have my very own studio in the company of an incredible group of peers, mentored by world renowned artists, thinkers, and curators. I will get to work in the same spaces as some of my personal artist heroes: Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas, and Wangechi Mutu. I will get to study in one of the largest libraries in the world. I will get to learn in a community of people who have been paving a way for artists for a very long time.
Mostly, I will have the time, space, and support to make art relentlessly, with compassion, and without compromise. To make what is mine to make. To create work that contributes to the conversation of the world in a way that I know without a shadow of a doubt will shift (is shifting) our collective culture and how we experience our world for generations to come. And I have so much to say, so much to learn, so many reasons to go HAM and do the dang thing.
I do it for my freaking genius of a single mom who put all of her 20-year old dreams on pause to raise me, and has worked around the clock my whole life so that I could have the space to dream for myself. I do it for my pops who’s been in and out of prison and the streets my whole childhood, and has still managed to make some magic in his life. I do it for the little mixed Afro-Boriqua baby femme self of my childhood, who was told that being an artist was a selfish, pointless, fruitless thing to be, that being an artist wasn’t for people like me. I do it for people like me. For anyone who has been taught at seemingly every turn that you couldn’t, who didn’t believe the hype, and did it regardless. I do it because I believe in our art, I believe in our vision, and I know that every creative act is a radical act of freedom and I believe in that shit. I do it because I believe in this world and I believe that art will change it and because it is what is in my soul to do. I do it because it’s what I love, and it is how I love.
But its also the thing that I have to offer; its what I bring to the table. Plus, let's be honest. I’m in too deep y’all. I no longer qualify for any other line of work lol ARTIST IT IS amiright?! Just kidding. I don’t believe in capitalist mind traps, but I digress.
The thing is, I actually have no idea WTF is about to happen. But I know its gonna be awesome. I know that I’m gonna work my ass off, and I know that I will need my community's support to get there. Because while I’ve been offered an incredible scholarship to Yale, there are many expenses associated with this opportunity that will not be covered by scholarship. When you contribute to this campaign, you are making possible:
1) a safe and harmonious move across the country from California to Connecticut with my brilliant partner Kingston Farady (www.kingstonfarady.co) and our two magical cat familiars Aslan and Mystique (they don’t have a website on this plane of reality #sorryboutit).
2) a place for us to land, and transitional time once we get there: 1st, last, and security deposit for a home to feel safe and grounded when we arrive in a totally new city and community. Especially being who we are; two queer and trans POC cuties looking to set some roots in a new place can be scary. Not sure of how that community might receive us, how it will look to get a home, how long it may take to get jobs, and all the paper work together to be able to do what we are REALLY going there to do, you feel me?
3) Art supplies and books for my classes. Mainly art supplies, as making work and experimenting a lot can be costly. Although I heeeelllla know how to work with what I have, and am definitely going to be doing that, I am looking to experiment and grow as much as I can during my time at Yale, and to try all the new things that I can.
If you are interested in supporting this journey, but not available to donate money at this time, there are still two major ways that I am asking for support:
1) sharing this letter and my work (www.amaryllisdejesusmoleski.com ) with anyone you think may be interested in what I am doing, and
2) spreading the word about this gofundme campaign in any creative ways you can imagine, and reaching out to as many people as you feel.
Listen. I know what I am asking for. I know that when I am asking you to contribute money towards my future, it isn’t just about the paper. Its about energy. I know that you work really hard for what you have. I know that you have your own dreams to invest in, your own bellies to fill, your own immediate families to show up for. I know that whether you are able to contribute $1 or $1,000 you are investing your value, your time and energy, and that is precious. You, your time, your energy, is precious. And I am filled with an infinite gratitude, knowing that I am a part of a community who invests in each others lives and dreams. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
In Grace, Grit, and Growth,
Amaryllis
P.S. I will keep you in my artist prayers as you support not only me, my work and my community, but the dreams of queer afro-latina artists who once maybe thought something like this wouldn't be possible.
P.P.S. I’ve included this pole dancing chicken strip named Financía Laid, who will dance perpetually for your dollars.
I’m writing you with the exciting news that I’ve been accepted into what I know to be the equivalent of Hogwarts on this plane of reality: Yale. I received my owl a little over a month ago, and in that time I’ve realized that I can’t do this alone. I know for sure that Hogwarts is for Homegirls, and I believe that Yale is too. I know that this opportunity is not only reserved for the wealthy, and I know this because I have been blessed with a life experience that has proven to me time and time again that it takes a mf village. This is one of those times, and so I am humbled to be asking you for your support.
I actually remember drawing this picture when I was four. I remember the thrill of having an image in my mind, and then using color markers to bring it out onto the paper. I remember the great wonder that I might show this picture to someone else, and they would be able to see what I see. Like whaaaaa???? Magic.
So excited, I ran up to my mother and said: Look at what I drew!
(wow Amaryllis)
And then my big follow up question: Can you tell what it is?!
(ummmmm...... a pickle?)
Um, no mom, I was definitely not trying to draw a pickle, I was attempting my first portrait, but good guess LOL. And so became the game that I would soon realize I wanted to play for the rest of my life: this unwavering instinct to communicate through images, and then contribute them to the conversation of the world.
OK, so here’s the deal: I’ve been accepted into the Yale School of Art for an MFA in painting, and I am asking for your help to fulfill this first leg of the journey.
Yale’s MFA in painting is considered the #1 program in the world, and a program that only accepts 5% of it’s applicants. At Yale, I will have my very own studio in the company of an incredible group of peers, mentored by world renowned artists, thinkers, and curators. I will get to work in the same spaces as some of my personal artist heroes: Kehinde Wiley, Mickalene Thomas, and Wangechi Mutu. I will get to study in one of the largest libraries in the world. I will get to learn in a community of people who have been paving a way for artists for a very long time.
Mostly, I will have the time, space, and support to make art relentlessly, with compassion, and without compromise. To make what is mine to make. To create work that contributes to the conversation of the world in a way that I know without a shadow of a doubt will shift (is shifting) our collective culture and how we experience our world for generations to come. And I have so much to say, so much to learn, so many reasons to go HAM and do the dang thing.
I do it for my freaking genius of a single mom who put all of her 20-year old dreams on pause to raise me, and has worked around the clock my whole life so that I could have the space to dream for myself. I do it for my pops who’s been in and out of prison and the streets my whole childhood, and has still managed to make some magic in his life. I do it for the little mixed Afro-Boriqua baby femme self of my childhood, who was told that being an artist was a selfish, pointless, fruitless thing to be, that being an artist wasn’t for people like me. I do it for people like me. For anyone who has been taught at seemingly every turn that you couldn’t, who didn’t believe the hype, and did it regardless. I do it because I believe in our art, I believe in our vision, and I know that every creative act is a radical act of freedom and I believe in that shit. I do it because I believe in this world and I believe that art will change it and because it is what is in my soul to do. I do it because it’s what I love, and it is how I love.
But its also the thing that I have to offer; its what I bring to the table. Plus, let's be honest. I’m in too deep y’all. I no longer qualify for any other line of work lol ARTIST IT IS amiright?! Just kidding. I don’t believe in capitalist mind traps, but I digress.
The thing is, I actually have no idea WTF is about to happen. But I know its gonna be awesome. I know that I’m gonna work my ass off, and I know that I will need my community's support to get there. Because while I’ve been offered an incredible scholarship to Yale, there are many expenses associated with this opportunity that will not be covered by scholarship. When you contribute to this campaign, you are making possible:
1) a safe and harmonious move across the country from California to Connecticut with my brilliant partner Kingston Farady (www.kingstonfarady.co) and our two magical cat familiars Aslan and Mystique (they don’t have a website on this plane of reality #sorryboutit).
2) a place for us to land, and transitional time once we get there: 1st, last, and security deposit for a home to feel safe and grounded when we arrive in a totally new city and community. Especially being who we are; two queer and trans POC cuties looking to set some roots in a new place can be scary. Not sure of how that community might receive us, how it will look to get a home, how long it may take to get jobs, and all the paper work together to be able to do what we are REALLY going there to do, you feel me?
3) Art supplies and books for my classes. Mainly art supplies, as making work and experimenting a lot can be costly. Although I heeeelllla know how to work with what I have, and am definitely going to be doing that, I am looking to experiment and grow as much as I can during my time at Yale, and to try all the new things that I can.
If you are interested in supporting this journey, but not available to donate money at this time, there are still two major ways that I am asking for support:
1) sharing this letter and my work (www.amaryllisdejesusmoleski.com ) with anyone you think may be interested in what I am doing, and
2) spreading the word about this gofundme campaign in any creative ways you can imagine, and reaching out to as many people as you feel.
Listen. I know what I am asking for. I know that when I am asking you to contribute money towards my future, it isn’t just about the paper. Its about energy. I know that you work really hard for what you have. I know that you have your own dreams to invest in, your own bellies to fill, your own immediate families to show up for. I know that whether you are able to contribute $1 or $1,000 you are investing your value, your time and energy, and that is precious. You, your time, your energy, is precious. And I am filled with an infinite gratitude, knowing that I am a part of a community who invests in each others lives and dreams. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
In Grace, Grit, and Growth,
Amaryllis
P.S. I will keep you in my artist prayers as you support not only me, my work and my community, but the dreams of queer afro-latina artists who once maybe thought something like this wouldn't be possible.
P.P.S. I’ve included this pole dancing chicken strip named Financía Laid, who will dance perpetually for your dollars.
Organizer
Amaryllis DeJesus Moleski
Organizer
Oakland, CA
