Yadira Cazares: Galeria Beso Maya Fire

We need your help in supporting Oakland community artist and gallery founder Yadira Cazares. On Saturday, May 7th, a fire broke out at Galeria Beso Maya on Fruitvale Avenue in Oakland. The fire department shared it was an accidental fire caused by the building's electrical system at the gallery entrance. Yadira was gone for lunch when the fire began and thankfully, nobody was hurt. Had Yadira been at the gallery when the fire broke out, the fire department shared there was a high chance she would have lost her life.

 

While we are so grateful nobody in the building was physically harmed, the loss of the gallery is devastating. Everything in the gallery burned, including Yadira's paintings, art supplies, computers, clothing, books and pictures. There were also various artworks of local community artists that burned in the fire.

 

Yadira opened Galeria Beso Maya in 2013 to promote and empower Black and Brown artists. As a Queer Woman of Color artist and visionary, she worked hard to create a community space of connection and creativity. Please donate generously to help Yadira get back on her feet and rebuild after such a devastating loss.