Last Minute Plans: Dark Matter’s "Art Gives Me Hope" Benefit

By Jessica Mlinaric in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 18, 2014 5:30PM

Dark Matter Coffee takes you inside the world of street art this afternoon with their Art Gives Me Hope benefit. The micro-roaster teamed up with Brain Killer and Threadless to organize the event to benefit local nonprofit movement Hope For The Day, a nonprofit movement self-described as being g "committed to utilizing music and the arts as a defense mechanism to suicide." The all-ages event is free with a required RSVP and takes place at Threadless (1260 West Madison Street) from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Available for auction are pieces created specifically for this event as well as street art originally installed in front of Dark Matter’s forthcoming Lakeview location last fall. The mural was the result of an open invitation by DMC and Brain Killer to street artists across the country with zero guidelines. “Resurrecting the wall on the new location was perfect because most businesses don't want street art around them, much less create a wall specifically for it,” Dark Matter Minister of Propaganda Kyle Hodges said. “The wall was a good way to let the artists get their work out to the public without any fear of getting into trouble.”

Today’s benefit also includes a wheat paste art demonstration, drawing boards for kids to get hands-on, and free food and beer by Brooklyn Brewing.

Dark Matter has been working with Hope For The Day since the fall of 2013, and looks forward to continuing the partnership by releasing a collaboration coffee to help spread their message this March. “The head of HFTD, Jonny Boucher, is a tremendous guy who's passion and hard work bring much needed awareness and comfort for people struggling with depression, suicide and mental illness, “ Hodges said. “That's something that DMC respects, and we wanted to help out.”

Dark Matter’s hope for today’s benefit, according to Hodges, is “to raise money, give some great artists exposure, and have fun,” along with the many talented people who have worked tirelessly to make it a reality. ”We are just hoping that everyone in attendance enjoys themselves as much as we did putting it all together,” Hodges said.

Admission is free with required RSVP.