Haitian Relief LA fundraiser at Echo Park Lake

From the organizers:

Galerie Lakaye and Living Art Los Angeles, a local non-profit organization, are organizing Haitian Relief LA, a fundraiser to take place on Sunday, February 14 (Valentine’s Day) at Echo Park Lake–a benefit concert/day of music and art for Haiti disaster relief. The event will include musical, dance and spoken word performances by local Los Angeles artists, as well as Haitian artists, including lots of activities for kids and families. The gallery will also present a wonderful exhibit of Haitian art.

UNICEF, Partners in Health and Hollywood Unites for Haiti will be on hand to collect donations.

In brief, here’s how we envision the participation of professional visual artists: artists come out to the park to paint on canvasses, which will be sent to Haitians living in tent cities as gifts of art to hang on their tents/temporary homes for months to come. Sponsor art organizations will donate canvas and supplies, or even better yet, bring your own! Everything will be set up; Temporary walls/easels will be set up. All you have to do is show up and paint!

The canvasses will be distributed in Haiti by Hollywood Unites for Haiti (HUFH), a non-profit organization on the ground in Haiti. Its mission is to promote cultural activities and sports to underprivileged youth in Haiti. It was started by Haitian actor, Jimmy Jean-Louis.

Most people don’t know that, as far as paintings go, Haiti is the biggest source for black art in the world. Haitians understand the value of art.

We can’t all donate money, but a gift of art can certainly lift the spirit! In that respect, please note that we are asking for positive, inspiring imagery to be sent to the people of Haiti.