Industry Makers, a labyrinthine art gallery in downtown Huntington, will hold a live virtual benefit for musicians and artists auctioning their works off to the public from the safety of their own homes.
Part art gallery, part antique store, and part music venue, Industry Makers hosts poetry slams and art classes as well as live musical performances. Unfortunately, the venue is currently experiencing hard times due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.
“We have monthly operating expenses, and we also have loans to pay off,” said Mano, who curates the business. “We decided to launch this auction to help raise funds for our space and our artists. It will be conducted entirely online so everyone is staying safe and not violating the emergency health codes.”
The auction will include work from various artists — more than 70 are currently associated with Industry Makers — in an array of styles. Proceeds will go to the artists and Industry.
“I see this as an opportunity for community members to help each other,” Mano said. “The fastest way for local economies to get back on their feet is to have people spend money locally to support small businesses like ours. In the long run, that kind of community support is much more helpful and effective than relying solely on the state.”
Industry has faced unique challenges. It has largely fallen through the cracks when it comes to attaining federal aid. Many small businesses around Huntington — and on Long Island in general — are facing similar challenges and are turning to crowdsourcing websites.
Industry recently started a GoFundMe campaign to help raise awareness of their plight. It raised more than $14,000 of its $35,000 goal as of Wednesday. Industry’s musicians and artists put together the live event to do something unique to advance efforts to raise funds.
“I’ve seen crowdsourcing be very effective but given that we are an art gallery I think an auction will interest our typical patrons more,” Mano said. “I’m hoping that this is a virtual event that will be beneficial to artists, buyers, and our guild.”
The auction will be live streamed from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, May. 7. It is free to enter. The link can be found here.
Industry Makers is located at 344 New York Ave. in Huntington. It can be reached at 631-697-9676 or industrymakers.art
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