Let Joy Rise Fundraiser
What is the “Let Joy Rise” fundraiser?
This is a joining-of-coasts collaboration between myself and Jessica Chiang (www.fangrlpress.com), a multi-disciplinary artist and art curator based in Ventura, California. The fundraiser will start on April 4th and end on April 18th.
Why are we doing this fundraiser?
Since 2020, the AAPI community has been facing increasing discrimination, hate crimes, and violent attacks. The Center of the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University released findings that hate crimes against Asian Americans spiked 149% between 2019 and 2020, although hate crimes overall declined. Stop AAPI Hate has cataloged almost 3,800 hateful incidents during 2020. Most of those targeted women. Most recently, 6 Asian-American women were killed in a mass shooting in Georgia. And just this past Monday, a 65-year-old Asian woman was attacked in Midtown Manhattan while the bystanders closed the building doors on her.
Our elders are being attacked and murdered. Our communities are threatened. And we’re doing our part in supporting the important works of NAPAWF*NYC and APIENC. AAPI communities are often looked at as the “model minority.” Docile. Quiet. But that myth stops now with us taking action and speaking
What does this illustration mean?
The illustration depicts a night scene illuminated by the floating lanterns and millions of flickers from a goldfish as it bursts glowingly into the darkness. A young girl is saddled on the fish’s back with her grandma holding on tightly while a family excitedly watches from below.
This illustration represents our AAPI communities breaking the proverbial fishbowl that are stereotypes and preconceived monolithic notions. As anti-AAPI hatred spreads its darkness, we band together. We protect our elders. We uplift ourselves. We break our silence. We push back. Because we simply want to let our joy rise over hate.
How much does this cost?
Our suggested donation is $30.00 for a 12” x 15” color print, produced by a POC-owned print shop in Oxnard, CA. We understand that this past year has been difficult for many, so all forms of generosity are appreciated. 100% of our proceeds will be donated to NAPAWF*NYC and APIENC.
If you would like to help us with this effort, please fill out this form.
About the organizations:
National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum - New York City (NAPAWF*NYC) Being one of the 14 NAPAWF chapters across the country, NAPAWF*NYC builds power with members to advance social justice and human rights for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and non-binary and intersex people living in New York.
API Equality - Northern California (APIENC) Formed in 2004, APIENC's mission is to amplify the voices of LGBTQ+ queer Asians and Pacific Islanders and increase their visibility. They inspire & train leaders, establish intergenerational connections, document and disseminate our histories. They envision a world where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer Asians, and Pacific Islanders can be present and affirmed in their families and communities as their full authentic selves.
F.A.Q:
Q: Do we ship internationally?
A: Unfortunately No. Not at this time.
Q: Interested in helping the fundraiser, who should I contact?
A: Email Duy at duynguyenbaovo@gmail.com.
Q: Interested in matching our donation amount, who should I contact?
A: Email Duy at duynguyenbaovo@gmail.com.
Q: When will you ship the print?
A: We will begin shipping the prints to you once the fundraiser concludes on the 18th. Thank you in advance for your patience.
We appreciate you.
Duy (& Thao) and Jessica
UPDATES:
The fundraiser concluded on April 18th. Thanks to your collective generosity, we exceeded our goal in proceeds and were able to donate $1,500 each to APIENC and NAPAWF*NYC.
Lunar New Year Fundraiser
As the Year of the Ox (Tet Tan Suu) fast approaching, we’re hosting an online fundraiser to help support small businesses and residents of Chinatown in New York City. The pandemic has devastated small businesses and families with little help in sight. Chinatown was one of the first to feel the impact back in February 2020. As the federal government comes to the rescue, part of Chinatown is still shut out from that help.
We didn’t think this pandemic would last long because we live in one of the greatest and wealthiest nations after all. But here we are. Almost one year later. People still wonder how they’d be able to put food on the table, so we’re doing something to put a little bit of love and care into the world.
How does this work?
The fundraiser runs from February 1st, 2021 through February 21st, 2021 and includes all current prints on our online shop.
All proceeds (after fees) will be donated to the three organizations listed below. We’re hoping to donate $888 (8 is a lucky number) to each place.
Which prints are included in this effort?
All prints from the Lunar New Year series, Life in Elevation series, and all of the new illustrations.
We’ll also donate our January’s proceeds.
The meaning behind the Lunar New Year series
The Lunar New Year series includes two illustrations: The Dragon Dance and The Lion Dance. It’s a custom that originated from Ancient China and followed Chinese settlers who moved and lived in Vietnam. Over the years, it has become a part of life and is often performed during Lunar New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, or any formal and important business occasions.
The traditional dance includes dragon, lion, and unicorn. These mythical animals symbolize prosperity, happiness, good luck, and peace (basically all the good things in life).
The Lion Dance also depicts Ong Dia, which symbolizes Phat Di Lac - Maitreya Buddha/Happy Buddha who is constantly happy and smiley. Old tales say that the Happy Buddha was able to transform the lion from a monstrous figure into a well-behaved and good-natured animal. The pair’s relationship symbolizes the harmony between humans and animals in a peaceful and festive environment. It also means goodness always wins over the evil force.
The organizations
Heart of Dinner because they’ve been delivering hot meals, fresh produce, and bulk ingredients (while also supporting local businesses) to more than 1,500 elders in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens since COVID-19 started.
Think!Chinatown, a non-profit based in Manhattan’s Chinatown that has been working to shape better policies and programs that define Chinatown through neighborhood engagement, storytelling, and arts.
Send Chinatown Love because they’re working to provide an online platform for low-tech, Asian-owned small businesses through different initiatives.
Additional prints
The prints below and all prints in the shop are included in this fundraiser.
Why Chinatown?
Because this neighborhood means a lot to both of us. Seven years ago when we first moved to NY, Chinatown was one of a few places where we could eat well and afford groceries on a $24K salary. The neighborhood helped us survive through some of the most challenging years of our adulthood. And it eases our constant homesickness. Even at its ugliest and smelliest, Chinatown feels a lot like home. Plus, Chinatown was one of the neighborhoods that got hit the earliest and hardest during COVID-19.
So here we are. Doing what we can do to alleviate the burden on a place that means so much to us. We’re also little nobodies on the internet, so this may not reach many. However, if you like the works, please share.
We appreciate you.
Duy and Thao.