Keep Art & Healing Alive in Tigray: Support Esseni

My name is Gabrielle Tesfaye. I am an artist currently living in Ethiopia. I have volunteered at Esseni Art Gallery in Mekelle for 1 year since moving to Tigray. I am dedicating my birthday to fundraising for Esseni Art Gallery, the only art gallery and creative community space in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia. While we are living in a time of uncertainty in Ethiopia due to fluctuating political instability, I believe it is more important than ever to continue working on what we love. For us, that is art, community, and our dreams that we cannot let the darkness take away from us. During this uncertain time, Esseni Art Gallery is having to face relocation as the current building Esseni occupies is closing. I am fundraising to help Esseni with these unexpected costs so Esseni’s community art programs can continue to exist. Mekelle absolutely cannot lose a space like Esseni.

The 2020-2022 war in Tigray devastated the region and all the lives in it. With an estimated 800k+ lives taken (1, ScienceDirect), 2.2 million internally displaced throughout and outside of Ethiopia (2, Refugees International), and 100,000 victims of sexual violence (3, The Washington Post), Tigray needs hope and healing more than ever.

Esseni Art Gallery’s mission is to inspire and cultivate healing and progression through the arts, something that is deeply embedded in our local and historic culture. With their consistent art events, creative lecture series, and community programming for internally displaced children such as the Faces of Tigray Project, Esseni Art Gallery has proven that art does inspire healing and positive activity in post-war societies. I am lucky to call the Esseni team my close friends. The funds raised will be personally delivered by me. Please join me in supporting Esseni to continue to exist!

Sources:

1 ScienceDirect

2 Refugees International

3 The Washington Post