Fed-Up Fan Stages 30-Day Hunger Strike in Support of ‘Starving Artists’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2009
Contact: C.D. Suarez, 10-4 Communications
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Fed-Up Fan Stages 30-Day Hunger Strike in Support of ‘Starving Artists’
208 Lbs. Art Lover Forgoes Feeding to Raise Awareness for Outstanding Local Talents, UpRite Lions, JosephusIII & Rugged-N-Raw

Greensboro, NC, May 1, 2009 — While most art and music enthusiasts show support for their favorite talents by buying t-shirts or creating fan pages, Greensboro art lover Crystal King has taken a slightly less conventional approach: She’s giving up food for 30 days — or as long as it takes for 3 of her favorite local artists receive the support they’ve invested a combined total of over 40 years to generate.

Her initiative, aptly named The Starving Artist Project (http://starvingartfan.blogspot.com) takes one of the art world’s most commonly used clichés and turns it on its head. King will spend the entire month of May fasting, and chronicling her journey and that of the spotlighted artists with photos, video blogs and articles.

When asked what drove her to take such extreme measures, Starving Artist Project founder, Crystal King responded,

“All my life, I’ve been surrounded by talented, driven people. And one by one, I’ve watched them all have to make the choice between pursuing their dreams and making ends meet. Unfortunately, that choice has forced many of them to put their art on pause indefinitely.

I think most of us have seen firsthand the toll it takes on someone’s soul when the proverbial ‘Dream’ gets deferred. I’m simply not willing to let those things continue to happen to hardworking creatives without so much as a word of acknowledgment. So I decided to do something about it. I’m taking a stand in support of the art, music, messages and people I believe in.”

The 3 artists the campaign focuses on (UpRite Lions, Josephus III and Rugged-N-Raw) all have very different styles of expression – but they share a common work ethic, and a commitment to knowledge, community and the unifying power of art.

“These guys are wholeheartedly pursuing their own dreams, but still find the time to foster artistic enrichment in the schools and their own communities. One can’t help but respect and support that,” King affirmed enthusiastically.

For more information on The Starving Artist Project, or any of its featured artists, please visit starvingartfan.blogspot.com or contact project coordinator, Crystal King at crystal.king@alumni.unc.edu

http://upritelions.com
http://ruggednraw.com
http://josephusiii.com