The “Family” Art Show Fundraiser!

Pretty sure we’ve been talking about this almost since the moment we started this whole crazy adventure, but it is finally upon us!

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I feel like I say this all the time, but I promise it’s not lip service: We are blown away by the support that has been rolling in for this!

The Skinny

But first, the details:

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“Family” Art Show
Saturday, May 19  |  6:00 – 10:00 pm 1875 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago

bit.ly/familyartshow
#familyartshowchicago

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There’s also a normal web page for the not-on-Facebook people. It’s not the most savvy thing on the internet, but as it’s only going to be up for a few weeks, I’m not super concerned about it. (I have grants to apply for, ain’t nobody got time for learning web dev right now.)

The Artists

This is where being blown away by the support comes in. Husband reached out to a bunch of his artist community on (mostly) Instagram, ’cause we figured that if you ask a lot of people and half say, “Sure” then you’ve got a good art show.

Because we understand first-hand trying to make it as an artist, but also holding down another job to pay the bills. And having a family, which is the situation for a lot of these people. People are super busy, for one, and time is hard to come by. We get that. We also have nothing but respect for artists who just don’t give away their art. It’s their livelihood, or they’re trying to make it their livelihood, and we understand the struggle.

But, you guys, pretty much everyone said, “Yes!” Check out this roster! (And follow them on IG!) .

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Adam Henske @burn353 – burn353.bigcartel.com/

Alecks Cruz @aleckscruz – aleckscruz.com/

Alexis Moulds @alexismoulds

Angeliki Jackson @astrodub – angelikijackson.com/

Biafra @biafrainc – biafrainc.bigcartel.com/

Chris RWK @chrisrwk – RobotsWillKill.com/

Enzo Sarto @enzo_sarto – facebook.com/enzosarto

Epic Uno @epicuno – epicuno.com/

Glass Cuisine @glasscuisine – glasscuisine.bigcartel.com/

Jared Hensley @ahhthebutcher – ahhthebutcher.com/

Jay Myers @mrjaymyers – mrjaymyers.com/

Jeff Gorski @oxidized_glass

KidTherst @kidtherst

Marthalicia Matarrita @marthalicia

Mr. CADatonic @cadatonic – cadatonic.com/

starheadboy @starheadboy – etsy.com/shop/starheadboy

Suburban Warrior @sub_urban_warrior – suburbanwarriorart.com/

Penny Pinch @_pennypinch_ – pennypinch.bigcartel.com/

RenOne @renonelab – ranonelab.bigcartel.com/

Shark Shredder @sharkshredder

Therst @therst

Thomcat23 @thomcat23

Tony Kern @_hoap_

William Truran @deadfleshco – deadflesh.co/

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And some of the art has already shown up on my doorstep. I’ve also seen pictures of works in progress, and seriously — if the show gets “cancelled,” don’t believe any excuse I give. It’s 100% because I’m hoarding awesome art.

Event FAQs

‘Cause I’ve answered lots of questions.

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Can I bring the kids?

Absolutely! We fully support exposing your kids to cool stuff like art shows. There will not be alcohol or anything inappropriate for the young’uns. Wicker Park isn’t a shady neighborhood or anything.

Is there admission?

Nope! There will probably be some sort of receptacle for donations, ’cause it is a fundraiser, but you are totally free to come and go without spending a dime.

How much is the art?

No idea, but it will probably cover a range of price brackets. We haven’t even seen it all yet, and don’t have prices set on the stuff we do have. There will be a small selection of prints available, which will be priced lower than originals. We’re also planning to raffle at least one piece, so you might walk away with something amazing for $5.

Will the art be online?

If you can’t make it to the event, you can participate in the raffle drawing online the night of the event. (If you win online, though, you’ll need to work with us for pick up or pay for shipping. FYI.) Art will not be for sale online the night of the event, but anything that is not sold on the 19th will be for sale online afterwards.

What time should I come?

Whenever works for you. The show will be officially open from 6:00 to 10:00 pm, but it’s open house, so stop by whenever. We’ll draw a raffle winner around 9:30 pm, but if you live by us or are willing to pay for shipping, you don’t need to be present to win. If you want to, you’re more than welcome to hang out the entire time!

How can I help?

If you’re willing to spend your Saturday morning/afternoon in Wicker Park, I’m sure we could use some help setting up. We could probably also use some help tearing down. The project that owns the space is graciously donating their walls for one night, which means we need to take it all with us at the end of the night. Hit us up privately if you want to help.

It would also be awesome if you wanted to share the event with your socials. First, RSVP to the Facebook event if you’re coming, and then share it up! You can also grab this little square if you want to post it on IG and/or Twitter, etc. And feel free to throw around the hashtag: #familyartshowchicago.

And then – just come! And bring friends! I mean it when I say we’d love to see you, even if you’re broke. A packed out art show is much more fun than an empty gallery.

What does Daily Projects have to do with it?

You’ve noticed I keep thanking Daily Projects as well. Husband was discussing our plans/hopes with one of the guys who runs Daily Projects, and he hooked us up with a friend who helps run the space on Milwaukee.

Other Adoption Updates

Not much.

Paperwork

Still waiting for our Letter Of Acceptance from China. Turn-around time is one-and-a-half to three months, so we’re looking at mid-June at the latest. Too early to hold our breath yet, but the way this whole thing has been going … I’m already holding my breath.

Especially because …

Finances

WE WERE CHOSEN FOR A GRANT! 

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And a fairly substantial one! A letter showed up in the mailbox on Friday and it’s was so simple and unassuming my first thought was, “Wow, they spent postage and paper to tell us we didn’t get it.” But we did! 

A thousand, million thank yous to the donors and decision-makers at Show Hope for the very generous gift! It’s not enough, of course, but it’s a big gift and as we wait for the LOA that will kick off the next round of payments and fees, it’s a huge weight off my chest.

Because of the way our adoption skipped that big waiting period between dossier submission and getting matched with a child, we’re in this weird place about grant timing. We had to wait until the home study was finalized to apply, but the organizations that give grants usually do so as a side-project. They meet about grants quarterly, or they need 90 days to review all their submissions and make a decision, etc.

And most of them can’t/won’t reimburse fees already paid. So when we get our LOA in a month and a half (or sooner – who knows) and pay the fees for translations and the first round of travel preparation, our opportunity to use grant money to pay for those things is over. We have to make payments to keep the adoption moving, but we can only use any grant money we might get on upcoming payments. It’s a very tight window.

It’s a tight window that Show Hope suddenly slid into, though, and we trust that God knows better than we do when it will close and how to get funds where they need to be.

Prayer Requests

Because we know you’re praying and we’re so, so grateful.

• The art show — Pray it goes off smoothly, that we get a good crowd, that we get a generous crowd, that art makes it to us safely and on time.
• Grants — Please pray for favor on all our applications (We’re up to 21 now, I think.), and that the ones for us get resolved in time.
• Paperwork — Pray for favor on our dossier, which, as far as we know, is under review in China. There’s really no reason to think we won’t be approved, but … prayers.
• Jude Brian — (Have I told you his American name yet? It’s “Jude Brian.”) Pray God continues to guard his heart, mind, and body. Pray for divine peace as his life starts to turn upside-down. Pray that God would prepare his little heart to meet us.

Thanks fam. Hopefully that LOA comes soon so I can show you my boy’s sweet face and tell you his amazing story. Love you all.