artKAMALA
artKAMALA and notes on democracy in action
About 70 days ago when Kamala Harris announced her candidacy for president Julian and I decided to try and help her win in the best way we know how by gathering our extraordinary artist community to come together to raise funds and raise support for a Harris victory. This election is the most important one in our lifetimes and we need all hands on deck.
We invited 96 artists who generously donated 100 art works for her support. We asked only two things that the art be smaller than 18 inches and that it be exceptional. Artists delivered to us their A game. The excellent quality of all the art work in the auction was in large part the reason for the overall success of artKAMALA. Metaphor Projects presented a beautiful exhibition on line and in the gallery that represented the best of humanity… it was authentic work of deep caliber. Many artists created a piece especially for the auction.
As of today, we sold 94 art works out of 100. We raised $60,506.00. 100% of which went directly to the Kamala Harris campaign through our artKAMALA ActBlue portal. It is gratifying to know, she is already using this crucially needed money we raised to sway voters in the swing states. We are proud to have had a wide reach… we sold artKAMALA artworks around the country to: Nevada, Georgia, Maine, Vermont, California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, and of course New York.
More than the money, though, artKAMALA is a community action. Hundreds of people visited our artKAMALA website and the gallery and made donations. There is power in numbers and there is power in action and there is power in standing up for your convictions publicly. The artists and supporters of artKAMALA stood up for their convictions.
Metaphor Projects is located in downtown Brooklyn, a nexus of diversity. During the run up to the exhibit/auction (which included the hugely attended Atlantic Antic) and during the week long wrap up, folks visited our gallery to view the art and be photographed with our life-sized “Kamala” cutout and most importantly to engage in long discussions about democracy and the importance of this election. It was a profound experience to speak with so many Americans about their hopes for our future. It was especially wonderful to see how many very young voters as well as seasoned voters are truely fired up about Kamala. Since this is Atlantic Avenue the visitors literally come from every age group, race and religion and from all over the country. The artworks and the openness of the atmosphere created a welcoming space where folks could share their anxieties and hopes for our country. Many folks came from other countries, Australia, Spain, Japan, to name a few… which served to underscore that this decision we will make as a country on this election day in November is consequential for the world. The whole world is anxious we make the right choice.
artKAMALA is bigger than all of us, bigger than just a great and fun party on auction night, bigger than a beautiful exhibit, bigger than the funds raised. This is democracy in action.
We are so grateful to all of the generosity of the artists, the donors, and the auction night team for all of their good energy and support that made artKAMALA a big success. Positive energy is infectious as is negativity. artKAMALA seeded a lot of positivity that rippled out far and wide.
“For the People!” Let’s turn the page together for a brighter future.
in solidarity,
Rene Lynch and Julian Jackson, Metaphor Projects
JOIN US TUESDAY OCTOBER 1, 2024, 6-9pm
for artKAMALA an auction of exceptional works by more than 90 artists to benefit the Harris Victory Fund
PRE-REGISTER NOW! BY MAKING A $50. DONATION HERE:
secure.actblue.com/donate/www.metaphorp…
Save your email receipt from ActBlue.
Bid # will be provided at the door.
Pease note: Due to Federal Election Commission Rules ActBlue can only accept personal credit cards NO company credit cards
TO VIEW ARTWORKS AND SEE PRICES:
Scroll down this page and click on the artwork.
STARTING BIDS are 30% of RETAIL PRICE.
OPTION TO BUY NOW for 80% of RETAIL PRICE.
OPTION TO PROXY BID.
TO BUY NOW:
Click CONTACT on this website and provide:
Your name and contact information, Artist name. We will respond with instructions and confirmation.
If you cannot attend... PROXY BID
Click CONTACT on this website and provide:
Your name and contact information, Artist name, Highest bid you are willing to go. We will respond with confirmation.
Proxy monitors will start your bid at the opening bid of 30% of retail price and increase if necessary during the event as it gets bid up. Bids increase by $50.-$100. depending on retail price
Proxy bids accepted up until September 29