Small Works for a Big Cause

Artist Will Ryan spends half the year in Amagansett, and the other six months on Maui. Heartbroken by the August wildfires that destroyed the coastal town of Lahaina in Maui, Ryan has gathered his artist friends for a fundraiser. On Friday, October 20, from 5 to 8 p.m. AB NY Gallery in East Hampton, will host Small Works for a Big Cause, an exhibition and fundraiser organized by Ryan and Lahaina musician Max Louis to support the families affected by the tragedy in Maui.

Homeless residents living in Hawaii for generations who lost their homes in the fire are still in need of basic necessities like toilet paper, housing and water. Many children have lost homes, schools and community centers and are living in shelters or hotels with few possessions or outlets for expression. Since the fire, kids from Lahaina have found happiness by turning despair into optimism and hope by making art, clothing, sweatshirts and hustling to sell their creations, and asking artists all over the world to help raise money for their community.

Small Works for a Big Cause will be a silent auction of 30 art pieces donated by the generous East End Art community. All the proceeds from this auction will go to a project titled Maui Art Bags. The brainchild of Ryan’s friend Colleen McGowan in partnership with the Amagansett-based Anna Mirabai Lytton Foundation, the effort will provide art kits to the traumatized children of Lahaina. Each bag will contain sketch pads, construction paper, scissors, glue, markers, crayons, watercolor paints and brushes, colored pencils, ruler, drawing paper, pencils and sharpener, scissors, erasers, and an activity book.

“Art Bags started during COVID-19 in the Springs School District where I taught for 25 years,” explains McGowan on the Anna Mirabai Lytton Foundation website. “The school closed and kids were on remote learning.”

During the pandemic, McGowan and other Springs teachers packed bags with art supplies and school bus drivers delivered them to 250 families.

“I moved to Maui after retiring. I was deeply impressed with Hawaiian art and culture and how they’re revered as a source of resilience and strength,” she added. “After this year’s catastrophic fires I knew art could be a way to help these kids to regain some sense of normalcy. Many have lost homes, schools and community centers and are living in shelters or hotels with few possessions or outlets for expression,” she continues. “Art can be effective therapy to cope with trauma and stress. Providing art materials in the Maui Art Bags will help these children access and heal their traumatic memories and emotions. Creativity in a safe environment can build understanding and guide them to express and release their emotions.”

Ryan adds that art can be effective therapy to cope with trauma and stress. Providing art materials in the Maui Art Bags will help these children access and heal their traumatic memories and emotions.

AB NY Gallery is at 62 Newtown Lane, East Hampton. For more informaiton and to contribute to the cause, visit the Anna Mirabai Lytton Foundation at annamirabailyttonfoundation.org.