Missoula artist Laura Blaker is working on a new folk-art exhibit about raining fish, the preservation of storytelling, and connecting cultures through art. Blaker is the fundraising tool Kickstarter to raise funds needed to complete the project by First Friday on May 1.
Like many artists, Blaker works full-time and paints when time allows. A few months ago, Laura started an ambitious new project, blending her passion for travel, cultural anthropology, folklore, graphic design and fine arts. The art exhibition, “Lluvia de Peces (Rain of Fish)” when finished will bring Latin American folk stories to Montana. Each painting is a visual representation of a particular story with the colors, patterns, clothing, animals, people and architecture from that particular region.
However, last month Blaker realized she needed more time away from work and money to finish the show. That’s when she discovered Kickstarter. The new social media tool allows artists to raise money for their projects.
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Blaker needs to hit her goal of $6,000 in about two weeks. If she doesn’t raise the money in that time frame she will not receive, any of the money pledged – it’s all-or-nothing funding.
Blaker isn’t the only one who benefits from the funds raised. Blaker plans to give Missoula Medical Aid half of the proceeds from the show on May 1. The money going support them and the work they do sending doctors and nurses to Honduras for much needed medical attention in rural areas.