With over 600 tallied casualties since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three weeks ago and over 25 million people fleeing the country, it is clear the unrest and violence has no end yet in sight. Yet, on Saturday, March 5, TMCC Art Professor Rossitza Todorova and part-time faculty Galina Milton organized a fundraiser event to support the people of Ukraine using what they do best: their art.
On Saturday, March 5, TMCC Art Professor Rossitza Todorova and part-time faculty Galina Milton organized a fundraiser event to support the people of Ukraine. Hosted at Artemisia Studios, over 50 local artists donated their artwork to support the UN Ukraine Humanitarian Fund and the National Bank of Ukraine to support Ukraine’s Armed Forces. Artwork that ran the gamut of style and media lined the studio walls, which welcomed guests who came to support the cause. The single-day event raised well over $7,700.
TMCC Part-time Visual Art Faculty Galina Milton is a professional artist whose studio workspace is located in Artemesia Studios in Reno. Sales from the recent art show will benefit the people of Ukraine.
Artemisia Studios is home to the workspaces of both Todorova and Milton. Milton, a professional artist who works in oil on canvas, also teaches drawing and beginning art classes at TMCC. “I teach part-time because I need time to paint,” she explained. Teaching part-time at TMCC enables her to interact with students—something she finds rewarding—while allowing her the time to focus on her own artistic pursuits.
Yet, the recent war on Ukraine has impacted Milton: she is originally from Ukraine, and still has family living in the country. “A lot of my relatives have left the area and they are all over Ukraine and they need to move again because the war is catching up with them,” she said. “It’s horrible to see the war for the second time in this short ten years. For many of us, we have so many ties on both sides—on the Ukrainian side and on the Russian side. And unfortunately right now… there are mixed messages.”
Todorova and Milton wanted to use their art for good. A week into the war Todorova messaged Milton and suggested organizing a fundraiser. “I could not stand idly by. Watching the news each day was heart-wrenching. I am outraged that in 2022 we are seeing bombs falling on civilians in Europe and that innocent men, women and children are dying," she said.
Todorova, originally from Bulgaria, started calling and texting artists and community members and asking for donations. By the end of the week, over 100 artworks and items were donated to the event. Thanks to help of TMCC students as well as local artists, and arts businesses and organizations the event was a great success.
The event included artwork and donations from Tetyana Anderson, Teri Barnes, Megan Berner, Noah Bristol, Ashley Brock, Mark Combs, Grace Davis, Christian Doyle, All Ferrand, Tracy Fish, Jerry Franzen, Ashley Frost, Eileen Fuller, Candace Garlock, Ashley Gottlieb, Carol Grigus, Mark Hammon, Willow Hammon, Daniel Helzer, Ahren Hertel, Stephanie Hogen, Kristin Hough, Kuuipo Hunter, Richard Jackson, Brandon Lacow, Bobby Lee, Weston Lee, Austen Loftus, Greg Luippold, Anastassia Manoussova, Galina Milton, Stephen Myler, Nevada Fine Arts, Lana Nickerson, Elaine Parks, Cesar Piedra, Linda Pinching, Samantha Pollard, Tracia Poulos Leonard, Austin Pratt, The Punk Rock Flea Market, The Reno Generator, Carole-Ann Ricketts, Sierra Arts Foundation, Tim Snider & Wolfgang Timber, Dale Slingland, Tyler Sullivan, Sogand Tabatabaei, Rossitza Todorova, Kay Vergilio, Korotenko Vladimir, Ruth Waldman, Candida Webb, Joe Winter, Debbie Wolff and more.
Those who stopped by were not only treated to an eclectic display of local art but could take home tangible reminders of their support for this important cause. Todorova and Galina hope that their efforts will make a difference in the lives of Ukranians currently fighting for their country's sovereignty and those who have fled as refugees into neighboring countries. “The outpouring of the Reno community gives me hope that we can end this conflict quickly and with as few casualties as possible,” says Todorova.
“We cannot be blind to the suffering in this war,” said Milton. “Artists can demonstrate unity against aggression.”
For more information about TMCC’s Visual Arts, contact the department at 775-673-7291.