Dear all,
Cuba is so beautiful. The music of Cuba is playing all over the world right now. The food of Cuba is being shared every day, everywhere, right now. The art of Cuba is painted, shown, and collected in every corner of the world. It is so unique it isn’t possible to think of a similar place.
Why is it with these gifts that Cuba has given us, that the country is stuck 60 years in the past, with its own people who can’t even eat their own cuisine, paint paintings, or even play their own music?
This question is asked every single day with no easy solution in sight.
We are Greta and Josh, two professional artists/muralists passionate about fostering community organizing, sharing resources, and supporting fellow artists. After multiple trips to Havana, painting murals, and meeting musicians, we have a rock solid network of professional Cuban artists and musicians, that have told us what's needed most: Art supplies, computer tech, medicine, clothes, and money to pay artists.
The dire situation in Cuba, compounded by the pandemic and devaluation of local currency, calls for urgent action. Artists struggle to find supplies and face a stagnating economy with high inflation.
The money will go straight to compensating Cuban artists and organizers and will help fund the creation of new community murals in Havana.
The funds will be distributed evenly across the organizations and artists who are in need.
1. Color Cojimar is a group of artists that hopes to paint new murals across Havana. Public art in Cuba is one of the few accessible tools for constructing community, joy, hope, and resistance through beauty. It feeds the collective imagination and inspires a brighter future when the world yearns for stories of resilience and collective action.
Color Cojímar and Sekou have identified six walls and artists as part of the program. Donations will directly support the organizing and painting of these projects, including artist pay, materials, and a community celebration.
@color_cojimar
@sekoupresenta
2. A close friend of Zachary, is in need of help. Machi is an amazing singer in Havana who is in need of support to help his family. His father needs medicine to recover from recent surgery and cannot afford it.
@machiran_oficial
3. Another friend of Zachary needs some funds to cover the cost of his new album. To record a high quality album in Cuba costs a few months of the average Cuban salary. Lachy is a very talented trumpet player that just released a new album a few weeks ago.
@_lachy.torriente_
Please listen to the new album on any platform!
https://open.spotify.com/album/2yAGexbYKouZfxV0xCU1EA?si=ky8NjoICRFCYJaVWbjKwoA
All funds we raise will be brought into Cuba in the form of cash. Obtaining resources in Cuba remains a central challenge due to limited local supplies, global embargoes, and the skimming-off of what does make it across borders. Taking advantage of new direct flights from the US, we can help bridge this gap and facilitate the connection from artist to artist.
On October 14th, Joshua's son Zachary will fly down to Havana with much needed clothes, medicine, cash, and supplies. We have exactly 1 month to raise the rest of the amount!
Supporting Cuban artists and investing in public art holds profound importance, specifically at this time in Cuban history. Public art in Cuba is one of the few accessible tools for constructing community, joy, hope, and resistance through beauty. It feeds the collective imagination and inspires a brighter future when the world yearns for stories of resilience and collective action.
By fundraising $6000, we aim to make a tangible difference. Amidst the current suffering, let us stand in solidarity with these talented individuals, who create beauty and inspire change.
With gratitude,
Greta, Josh, Zach, and Sekou (Organizer, Artist, and Musician with Color Cojímar)
@color_cojimar
@machiran_oficial
@sekoupresenta
-
