Rebuild The SteamPunkin 2.0

Hi, I'm Stacey, the artist behind The SteamPunkin. It's a magical mobile art car that's inspired by Cinderella's coach with a futuristic Victorian Era, steampunk aesthetic. The idea for The SteamPunkin came to me after participating in several 'Burns' worldwide and contributing to large-scale art installations and successful theme camps. I wanted to create something that was mobile and still had the opportunity to share with other participants.

The dream began to become reality in early 2020, just before the COVID pandemic and has really never ended since. With a clear goal in mind, COVID lockdowns, restrictions, and supply chain delays aside, The SteamPunkin made its debut later that year. What’s followed has been perhaps one of my most cherished results by following and acting on a dream. I could never have imagined that The SteamPunkin would create such magical moments, joyous memories, beaming smiles, community participation, and in many cases, some much-needed peace and love in a time of despair (COVID) by creating several Toronto park pop-up events and other opportunities it’s had to participate across N. America.

Fast forward to March 2023… on the journey back to Toronto after its participation at Loveburn, Miami, a series of consecutive potholes on I95N in S. Carolina, caused The SteamPunkin carriage to disconnect and fly off the trailer. Thankfully, no one was hurt! It could have been catastrophic. However, it has left the carriage and all its components at a total loss. For now, the magical moments have come to a crashing halt.

As an artist and creator, it's always a devastating blow to lose something you've poured your heart and soul into. The SteamPunkin was not just an art car, it was a symbol of hope, joy, and community. It was a piece of art that brought people together and created unforgettable memories for everyone who experienced it.

While I'm grateful that no one was hurt in the incident, the loss of The SteamPunkin has left me heartbroken. The original carriage took over 6 months, 5000 hours, and thousands of dollars to create, and it was only through the generosity and support of the community that it was able to be built and maintained. Every event, every dollar raised, and every volunteer that helped with repairs, upgrades, and additions, went right back into The SteamPunkin, making it better, stronger, and brighter.

Now, it's time to turn the page to a new chapter in The SteamPunkin's story. With your help, we can create The SteamPunkin 2.0 and continue to spread joy and happiness across the continent. Your support will go towards the hefty roadside assistance bill in SC, a new robust design, digital renderings, a new base chassis, metal support infrastructure, custom laser-cut metal gears, powder coating finish, lift hydraulics, and other materials.

I've created this gofundme page to help The SteamPunkin have the opportunity to share joy and happiness once again. It starts small. A simple act of kindness and appreciation, but it can ripple out and create an ocean of magic in the world.

It's rare that we get an opportunity to effect so much happiness on the lives around us. I think back to how many people have impacted my life with their generosity, time, money, and encouragement, it often moves me to tears. The effect those people have had on my life can never be measured. I am so grateful for the connections we share with one another and how it’s inspired me to keep going even in the face of adversity and challenges along the way. Knowing the joy this mutant vehicle has brought to communities all over North America, I am driven to engage a team and build the next. With your contribution, we can afford to create The SteamPunkin 2.0 and once again bring joy, happiness, and smiles across the continent. I cannot thank you enough for caring about The SteamPunkin. This is its big chance to bring joy to so many once again, and you're making it possible. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

In addition to rebuilding The SteamPunkin, I'm also committed to creating more awareness of the dangers of the interstate road conditions in SC, to help prevent something like this from happening again. I want to make sure that every traveler, artist and creator out there is aware of the risks and takes precautions to ensure the safety of their families and creations. And, encourage SCDOT to fix that stretch of I95 properly once and for all.

I know that we're living in challenging times, but I truly believe that art has the power to heal, unite, and inspire. With your support, we can rebuild The SteamPunkin and continue to create magical moments and memories that will last a lifetime.

Thank you for considering contributing to this campaign. Your generosity will make a difference not just to me, but to everyone who has experienced the joy and wonder of The SteamPunkin as well as potentially save lives on that hectic, dangerous interstate. Let's come together and make this new dream a reality!