Milwaukee art community comes together

The five-alarm fire that swept through 631 E. Center Street on Tuesday morning severely damaged Joe’s East Coast Car Shop, a number of apartments, about sixteen artists’ studios, and four galleries including Green Gallery West.

This aftermath is playing out online in the form of the local art community banding together to support those affected. A number of organizations are stepping forward to help artists who lost artwork and materials, as well as living space and household goods. An artist’s bread and butter comes from their work, which makes losing so much in this blaze especially devastating.

The Milwaukee Artist Resource Network is one local group spearheading efforts to gather donations for those affected. They have initiated the Center Street Artists Fund, with tax-deductible donations accepted through the Fund’s website or through MARN.

Donations of everything from toiletries to household goods and art supplies are being accepted by MARN (5407 W. Vliet Street). Their office will be open for items on Friday, July 20, from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Donated goods may also be brought to the Riverwest Public House (815 E. Locust Street), Riverwest Co-Op (733 E. Clarke St.), and Uptowner (1032 E. Center). Sky High Gallery (2501 Howell Ave., Bayview) is accepting donations during their regular business hours now through Sunday.

Steve Roche, who posted about the recovery efforts at MKEBKE.com, and Paul Kjelland have started a Facebook page as a resource for support and messages, with the following listed as suggested donations:

• non-perishable foods
• clothing
• toiletries (all)
• shoes
• loaner bicycle(s)
• art supplies (any and all)
• cameras
• kitchen supplies
• anything you think will help

Walker’s Point Center for the Arts (839 S. 5th Street) will donate funds collected during Gallery Night and Day on July 27 and 28, ART Milwaukee will be donating proceeds from its gallery night after party event on July 27, and other benefit events are also in the works.

There is certain to be more on these ongoing efforts, so if you or someone you know is working to support the recovery, please let us know by leave a comment below, or send TCD a message on our Facebook page.