Knowing that the tragic firestorm that engulfed Sonoma and Napa Counties must have taken a huge toll on artists and art students of that area, we reached out to some of our connections in the Fine Arts Department at Santa Rosa Junior College to find out how we might be of assistance. We heard stories ranging from students who lost their homes and supplies, to others about those whose places of work were destroyed or who ran through their savings while caring for friends and families who had to evacuate.
When asked if there was a need for donated art supplies to help those affected by the fires, the answer was a resounding: YES!
Along with Gamblin Colors, Princeton Brush Company and Art Alternatives Canvas, we have been working on a donation of materials that the faculty at SRJC would get into the hands of the students most in need.
Additionally, we want to open this up to you. If you have gently used materials that you are no longer using, we would gladly include them in the boxes of materials we’re compiling.
What is most needed:
- Un-drawn on paper (full or partial pads okay)
- Willow Charcoal
- Unused Paper Palette Pads (full or partial pads okay)
- Graphite or Color Pencils
- Used or New Watercolor tubes or Palettes
- Used or New Acrylic tubes
- Used or New cans of Krylon or Blair Fixative
What is not needed:
- Turpentine
- Varnishes and/or solvents
- Used Canvas
You can drop off your donation of gently used art materials at ARCH through the end of Saturday, November 4th.
Finally, if you are traveling through the Santa Rosa area, we encourage you to visit stores such as Village Art Supply and Riley Street Art Supply. Natural disasters like this have a deep impact on nearby small businesses. These locally owned shops play an important roll in the community and need your support. Retail can be a tough business. Ask any of us the reason we do this work and we’ll all say it’s because of the people and the community which surround us.
Show your support and shop local!
