Help for Victoria Kalaichi and Denis Sarazhin

My name is Margaret W. (Peggy) Townsend, and with my husband, Stan, I own and operate an art school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, called Townsend Atelier. We are raising money for our Ukrainian friends, artists Victoria Kalaichi and Denis Sarazhin, as they transition to life in Chattanooga.  We have set up a specific account to receive donations.  All donations received will go directly to them.

 

Townsend Atelier brings artists from all over the world to our facility to teach art classes. Over two years ago, we began conversations with Victoria and her husband, Denis, to travel from Ukraine to Chattanooga to teach a portrait painting workshop and install a solo exhibition of Victoria’s paintings. We scheduled these events for the end of February/mid-March of 2022. Victoria and Denis bought their plane tickets well in advance and departed from their hometown of Karkiv for Chattanooga on February 23.

 

After long hours of international travel, it was not until they landed in Atlanta, GA, on February 24, that they discovered Russia had invaded their country and that the danger facing their family, friends, and home was escalating by the minute. Most of their family resides in Kherson, which, since February 24, has been occupied, bombed and shelled. Bombs have gone off just 200 meters from their apartment in Karkiv, and the devastation continues to worsen.

 

Thankfully, Victoria and Denis are safe in Chattanooga. Since the first day of the invasion, they have received an outpouring of emotional support. They are doing their best to cope with the stress and uncertainty of their future and the future of their families and country. Clearly, it is uncertain how long they will need to stay in Chattanooga.

 

While they are safe in the United States, they have no idea how long they will need to be here and must make plans for housing, utilities, transportation, and daily living expenses until the situation in Ukraine is more certain. Funds raised from this campaign will help them with their transition to life in Chattanooga.

Denis says, “Your thoughtfulness is deeply appreciated. "

 

Of course, there are many in need, but here is somewhere to start. The gesture of support is as precious as the currency.  Any donation is deeply appreciated.

 

To view their artwork:

Denis Sarazhin:

http://sarazhin-denis.com/

 

Victoria Kalaichi:

http://kalaichi.com/

www.townsendatelier.com