Thank You 187 Augusta

Many artists, and community spaces have been negatively impacted by the global pandemic that is COVID- 19. Artists that rely on gigs such as events have lost money due to canceled events, and the event spaces that rely on event  bookings/rentals have lost money due to cancelled events. This has caused many of us to be unable to support ourselves.

COVID-19 has directly impacted an amazing local friend and community space, Cathleen Calica the gallery director and curator of 187 Augusta. She has created space for so many people in the community for the past 3 years. 187 has been a DIY space that has supported artists like myself, local businesses, community gatherings and so much more. 

187 has decided to close indefinitely due to loss of funds during this pandemic. Cathleen has launched a fundraiser and is currently looking for donations to aid her during this time. The donations raised will aid as emergency support to cover the cost of her rent, and costs associated with 187.

In 2018 I created a photo series called ‘Queer & Existing’ for pride month. I only imagined this photo series to be released digitally. Creating spaces for my work and curating art shows had been very new to me, and my art form. Cathleen had seen my work online and reached out to me about showcasing the photo series. I almost didn't believe it, I hadn't experienced such a genuine helping hand like that before. Cathleen encouraged me to provide a space for my work. I felt seen and it pushed me to do something that I didn’t imagine myself doing.

From creating that photo series in 2018, I now curate an art show called ‘Come As You Are’. I continue to create spaces for QTBIPOC, and it wouldn’t have happened without the encouragement of 187 and Cathleen. There are so many artists that want to share their work, and create spaces for their community, but they don’t always have the support to do so. 187 is a needed space for artists, and it’s so important to give back to the spaces that help our art thrive. I am so thankful for the amazing, helpful, supportive, queen that is Cathleen Calica. If you can and are able to support check out the GoFundMe, and donate or share the fundraiser. Cathleen needs our support.