In just over two weeks, Friday, September 30th, In the Midst of Hope, an art show benefiting our friends in Uganda, will take place right here in our hometown of Grand Junction, Colorado. Curating the show is world renown artist, Patrick Maxcy, and today we have him here on the LGH blog in an interview on the event.

LGH: Tell us a bit about In the Midst of Hope.

Patrick: After working on several shirt designs and a mural, I felt very compelled to continue to work with and help the organization Light Gives Heat even more. I work with a lot of non-profits through my own art work. I then realized it would be great to combine and unite some of my favorite artists from around the globe with the same common purpose and theme, creating amazing artwork in one location for an amazing cause. Thus creating the 40 person benefit art show entitled "In the Midst of Hope".

LGH: For someone from Denver or Salt Lake or beyond who is trying to decide whether to travel out for the show, what would you say to them?

Patrick: A lot of the artist have shown their work from New York, Los Angeles, Toyko, Brazil, Italy, etc. A lot of the artists involved have worked with major celebrities and big names in the business. You are getting to see these artist's works for free in Colorado. Amazing art work, great music, food, drinks all in one location and all united to help others in need.

LGH: Can you tell us a bit about the featured artists?

Patrick: There are 40 hand picked artists in the show. Artists such as Nathan Spoor, Dan May, Ekundayo, Joshua Clay, Sam Flores, Iain Macarthur, Brandon Dunlap, Jeremy Cowart, Skot Olsen, Serge Gay Jr., Tes One, Josh Taylor, and many more!

LGH: What can people expect from the art show?

Patrick: The show will be set-up at LGH Studios in an amazing two story gallery location on Main street (354 Main Street) in downtown Grand Junction. Over 40 paintings, drawings, and photography will be displayed. Lots of food and drinks will be available. DJ Griz will be on hand all night spinning some great jams. We will also have musician Tim Brown on hand playing an acoustic set at 9pm. Members from the LGH staff and crew will be in attendance. Several artist will be stopping in during the show. I will be there as well to meet & greet and answer any questions throughout the evening.

LGH: How long will the art show be open?

Patrick: The show opens at 7pm - 10pm on September 30th. "In the midst of Hope" will be on display from Sept 30th - Oct 22nd. (Mondays thru Fridays, 10-5)

LGH: Who is sponsoring the event?

Patrick: We have some awesome sponsors who contributed in a number of different ways. Jedidiah Clothing is one of our main sponsors. Also, Kind Bars donated hundreds of bars with a message of promoting random acts of kindness. Palisade Brewery, Qdoba, Egg & I, Red Lobster, Roasted, Four Winds, Brad Higgenbotham with Re/Max 4000, Enstroms and Exotic Signs.com are all sponsoring the event as well.

LGH: For those who cannot travel to the art show, will they be able to view or buy the pieces online?

Patrick: Art work will be for purchase on opening night. After Sept 30th all work will be available for purchase online on the show website.

LGH: How does the event raise money for "friends in Uganda", and what exactly does that entail?

Patrick: Proceeds from the artwork sales will go directly to Light Gives Heat. Light Gives Heat works directly with families in Uganda, empowering them by providing them with means for sustainable incomes. So, the proceeds will help further this work being done in Uganda, whether as practical as using the proceeds for Suubi buying meetings for a number of weeks or funding other projects currently happening such as the Solar Cooker initiative or the English club.

For more information including a detailed list of artists: http://hope.lightgivesheat.org/midstofhope