MS Artist & Craftsman Hurricane Relief Assistance

After hurricane Katrina, an estimated 600 artists and craftsmen lost their studios, equipment, homes, cars, gallery representation, collectors, and inventory of work at the beginning of the sales season. Every layer of the structure of the art colony was destroyed.

The purpose of this project is to restore the supplies and equipment the artisans on the Mississippi Gulf Coast had the day before Katrina. We feel that all levels of the arts on the coast need to be restored, but this project focus on the individual artist and craftsman. The structure of this project gives artists who had major investments in their craft a higher level of help than those who had a lesser commitment.

One of the problems this project hopes to correct is the lack of an advocate who focuses on the individual. Although the Arts Commissions are doing a tremendous job working to save the organizations, creative centers and museums, we feel that an art colony without practicing artists is not acceptable.

Two month after the hurricane, Artisans/Santa Fe, donated a truckload of painting supplies to the Miss Gulf Coast. With that first donation a relief effort was started that has now sent over $180,000.00 worth of equipment and supplies donated to the Art Relief Store set up in Gulfport, free to those who lost their studios. The response has been tremendous, but there is an estimated 2.75 million dollars more needed.

The majority of the artists on the recovery list have taken minimum wage jobs, and that income must be used to rebuild their homes and studios. But if they have the materials, they find the time and a place to create. Most of these artists were in their creative prime and were living through their creativity. Because so much of how an artist lives is in his or her own mind, they are able to block out much of this devastation, and their need to create is unbelievable. Many who have been able to restart their studios report the work has hit a new level, but the majority is struggling to rebuild their careers in an area of total devastation.

We would like to:
-continue restoring the equipment and supplies lost during Hurricane Katrina
-find venues outside of the devastated area to show and market their work
-to treat the artists and their work with respect.

THE ART SUPPLY RELIEF STORE.

Thanks to Greg Moran, who has taken on the responsibility of distributing the supplies and has given us a building to use, (Since the building is on his family's property, we ask that you sign a waver of responsibility when you go) Greg's place is in Gulfport and asks that you call ahead for an appointment. 228-539-5071.
Moran Road. • The mailbox 14457 marks the entrance to the property.

With the original shipment of art supplies, from Artisans/Santa Fe, a temporary art supply store was set up in Bay St. Louis, but due to the extreme destruction it was moved to Gulfport a more central location.

One of the sculptors we had been able to help, in gratitude, took a metal building and put it by his studio to house the art supplies. He is now the gatekeeper, and artists make appointments to pick up supplies needed as they are donated. The relief web site www.carolepigott.com/help is hosted by Carole Pigott, coordinator of the project. Through it a network has been set up to deliver information on help offered and to offer thanks for help given. There is a listing of grants for hurricane artists, another financial help. Also artisans who have been able to restart their studios are able to list their losses along with photographs of their work. The web site has been used very successfully in gathering donations and references for artist sales and grant applications.

As each offer of help is received, a network of emails go out to 170 artists and craftsmen which then go to a grapevine of efforts to reach everyone. Many still do not have computers, so we have as many as 10 sharing one, and addresses of friends who will pass the information on.

WEAVING GUILDS

An initial donation of a loom by a Santa Fe weaver sparked a donation drive by weaving guilds across the United States that has seen truckloads of materials sent to the weaving guilds on the Gulf Coast. We have made arrangements for free storage for artisans who cannot receive donations until their studios are repaired.

MOVING FORWARD

Several of the artists and craftsmen have been able to quit minimum wage jobs and return to their studio work. Greg Moran, sculptor, with our help is now taking commissions, and has restored his forge. In gratitude, he took responsibility for the relief store. Brian Nettles is now sharing his equipment and kilns with 44 other artists. The most beautiful part of this project is the community of the artisans, and when one is helped, they move forward and then turn to help another. This project is to rescue the Mississippi Hurricane Artists by giving them the tools to move forward. Not just the equipment and supplies lost, not just new venues to sell the new work but also the respect they deserve for their bravery in creating in such devastation, and using that energy to push their work to new levels.