by Tumay Aslay
Artist @christinaxu_ Photo by Lisa Vortman
In these unprecedented times, we turn to beauty and creativity to ground ourselves. Paint the Void, a fiscally sponsored not-for-profit organization, has set out to fill the void with community centered art in the Bay Area. Paint the Void helps keep artists engaged and paid as guardians of hope and beauty in a time of fear and uncertainty. Since April 2020, they have facilitated and supported the creation of over 100 murals in San Francisco, Berkeley and Oakland by funding over 95 artists. These grants for artists to paint murals on boarded-up businesses is their activist response to the community effects of COVID-19.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Paint the Void is committed to continue its momentum in full force. Their goal is to turn the Bay Area into a public art powerhouse by distributing grants to artists in need of funding. Their support is moving mountains, as they are currently working on 30 murals in San Francisco in partnership with Mayor London Breed and YBCA to support artists and promote public health through art.
Check out Paint the Void and learn how you can support the artist community in these challenging times.
Follow them on IG @paintthevoidproject