April Arts Marathon Participant: Jess Weitz

Mission: I will be working on an ongoing series of large watercolor and gouache paintings on paper, sometimes utilizing natural pigments like indigo, rust and soot. The abstracted, archetypal imagery explores water, transparency, organs, creatureliness, and the life energy before form.

Message: Thank you for joining me in supporting our local asylum community and creativity! The April Arts Marathon is the Community Asylum Seekers Project’s key fundraiser. CASP hopes to raise $50,000 this year. Sponsors like you are critical to CASP’s ability to accompany asylum seekers who, against all odds continue to strive for a life of dignity and independence. Every donation directly supports our mission of cultivating a supportive community for asylum seekers in Southern Vermont.

Through the April Arts Marathon, we can build a collective community of care and resistance, while making a huge impact in the lives of asylum seekers! During the month of April, myself and other artists will commit to practicing and sharing their work 3-5 days a week with sponsors who pledge donations to CASP–turning daily creativity into critical community support. Together, we support asylum seekers who, in turn, enrich our community with their determination, energy, and diverse experiences.

I look forward to being in creative community with you in April.
Jess