How 2 Hoosiers are helping artists impacted by the coronavirus pandemic

Indianapolis Star

Rebecca Graves Prowse, owner of Gravesco Pottery, and Jason Michael Thomas, owner of Urban Awareness Gardens, are partnering to donate food to local artists who have been economically impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Any artist or creative can apply to receive a free box of locally sourced produce and non-perishables like coffee, rice and beans.

“We’re filling them with whole foods and things that keep well, that will be delicious and healthy and sustain people for a few days,” Michael Thomas said. “And if they need another one, they can come back for another one, there’s no limit.”

A food donation box is seen outside of Urban Awareness Gardens in Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. The boxes contain locally sourced produce and non-perishables like coffee, rice and beans, and are being given to artists and creatives who has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

To help pay for the boxes, Graves Prowse is selling a new pottery collection called “Feed the Artists,” which includes coffee mugs, bowls and other items depicting vintage etchings, such as a plague doctor, toilet paper and roses.

“I immediately contacted Jason and said, ‘I know it’s 2 in the morning, but I have this idea. Let’s put a plague doctor on a mug and donate a portion of that toward 'Feed the Artists,’” Graves Prowse said.

“‘That’ll keep my crew busy and off unemployment so they don’t have to worry about it, it’ll keep you and your crew working and busy, and we can also feed people.’"

Jason Michael Thomas and Rebecca Graves Prowse sit outside Urban Awareness Gardens during a food donation box pick-up day in Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Thomas and Graves Prowse are partnering to help local artists financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Graves Prowse said the timing of the pandemic is particularly taxing for artists because many spend thousands of dollars early in the year on art fair applications and fees. On top of that, an increasing number of upcoming art shows that they rely on for income are being canceled.

“I knew that there was going to be this sudden halt in any potential stream of income for these people and I wanted to be able to help because I know if still I’d still been in that situation 2 or 3 years ago when I was still doing shows, I’d be devastated and completely freaked out,” Graves Prowse said.

“I wanted to be able to give them at least a little bit of relief that they don’t have to worry about food security,” Graves Prowse said.

Pottery from artist Rebecca Graves Prowse's "Feed the Artists" collection sits on display outside of Urban Awareness Gardens in Indianapolis on Wednesday, April 22, 2020. Urban Awareness Gardens is partnering with Graves Prowse to help local artists financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. A portion of sales from the pottery collection help fund the food boxes.

Artists and creatives in need of a food box can find the online application form on the websites or social media pages of Gravesco Pottery and Urban Awareness Gardens.