Vegas Glennefit
From Glennefits across the country to artists donating their tips, events are underway to help raise money to help Glenn Ferguson. Here are the highlights of one such event.
Article Transcript
The sudden and shocking news spread so quickly, in this age of social media and instant group texting. Finding out a friend is fighting for his life can make you feel quite helpless—especially if you're thousands of miles away (as many of Glenn’s caricature friends are). There was little we could do directly, besides sending hopes, prayers, and positive energy toward Glenn and JoAnn. Several of us threw around the idea of setting up a fund online (or some other way) to at least help allay the medical costs that would pile up. Once it was created, the online fund took off and kept going, a testament to how many people care about Glenn.
In Vegas, there is still a diaspora community of artists who worked at Fasen Arts back when Fasen operated several booths out there, and we all remember Glenn fondly. So it wasn't hard at all to gather up some of the old gang to draw at a “Las Vegas Glennefit” to help raise some more funds. Tom Richmond happened to be flying out to Vegas for some other business, so he came directly to our fundraiser right from the airport and drew nonstop! I asked several businesses and friends if they had any prizes they could donate for a raffle, and every single one came through with more than I’d even asked for—and other folks I hadn't even asked stepped forward and volunteered still more prizes. Among these prizes were sketches and an autographed book from Jota Leal and an inked original MAD Magazine page donated by Tom Richmond.
Weather cooperated; it was sunny and mid-60s; so we all set up in the large patio area of the Downtown Crown, a new English pub in the Las Vegas arts district (the owner is an old friend and a big fan of caricature art). We weren’t sure what to expect, but we had enough turnout to keep busy, and between charismatic Jason Neisdadt at the DJ table and the pirate gals from Seraphina Fire breaking into improv bellydance routines, we all stayed entertained. Tom’s MAD piece was won by one of the dancers, and she was so excited!
Between the raffle and the caricature artists, we raised just over $1500, which we mailed to JoAnn in check form (it would have been cool to see that total on the GoFundMe grow, but with large sums like that, it makes sense to send it direct and not have a percentage go to the online service charge). Glenn will have ongoing rehab therapy for quite some time, and it’s a good feeling to know that taking some time out on a nice Sunday afternoon will help cover some of that expense.
Check out Celestia’s website at http://www.2headsstudios.com
This Navigation box may not show up on mobile browsers. Please see Exaggerated Features Issue 2016.1 for the full contents of this issue if the navigation box does not display.
 |
| | |
| |||
| |||
| |||
