Our Own Fundraiser, Huddled Masses
In 2019 we created our own fundraising event, Huddled Masses. The goal? To celebrate the immigrant and refugee community through installations, first-person stories, and design. 100% of the profits from the event go towards the immigrant and refugee community. Covid sidelined our 2020 plans, but we look forward to reviving it again as soon as we are able through a continuation of installations as these ones we’ve done in the past.
Just Listen
Claws Out owner Eden Dawn interviewed Samsam Abdi, a Somali refugee, on her experience coming to America. Sound engineer Reed Harvey of Digital One turned it into an 8-minute installation where audience members sat in the dark, listening to her words.
Wild Woman
Mexican-American designer Myriam Marcela displayed her stunning Wild Woman collection: A line of women’s wearable art intricately embroidered by artist Laura Renée Maier with faces of women from around the world “created in celebration of the diversity, strength, and identity of the Wild Women in all of us.”
Letra Chueca, a Latinx-owned letterpress company devoted to decolonizing design through collaboration and representation were on site helping guests print limited edition, powerful take away pieces.
Claws Out—in conjunction with nail artist Amber Bates and photographer Christoper Dibble—aimed to create a massive reimagining of the Statue of Liberty’s New Colossus poem one nail at a time. We made it through 3/4s and can't wait to finish it off soon.
THE NEW COLOSSUS BY EMMA LAZARUS (1883)
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame | With conquering limbs astride from land to land; Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand | A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame | Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name | Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand | Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command | The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame. | “Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she | With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor, | Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, | The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. | Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, |I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
Gratitude
A massive thank you to everyone who helped us raise $1500 in three hours for IRCO. We couldn't have done it without you and can't wait to do it again next year. The amazing venue and bar donated by The Hoxton. Party Decorations by Rodeo Queen. DJ Komba Weekend. And our all POC-owned market from these amazing women: Vía Raíz, Minnie + George, and ReSista Kat.