A little over a week ago in my neighborhood of Riverwest, the building at 631 E. Center St suffered a five-alarm fire. This left some amazing artists without their work and homes. Now the Milwaukee community has gathered to help support these artists through a variety of relief efforts.
MARN (Milwaukee Artist Resource Network) has set up a relief fund called the Center Street Artist Fund to help these creative individual to start to rebuild their lives and their work. You can make a tax-deductible donation via their site. Their goal is to raise $25,000 and so far, MARN has raised $5,000.
There are other events going on to help the individuals affected by the fire especially on Gallery Night. Sweet Water Organics is hosting a benefit called Fire! Fire! The event will be held on August 4 at Sweet Water Organics and it will included an auction of a variety of artwork from local artists. The Journal Sentinel's art critic Mary Louise Schumacher has more on other opportunities to supprot the relief effort on her Art City blog.