Artists 4 Mercy

By Nazz Lane

An instant message awaited my arrival in-world and when I replied with a brief “hey” she sent a TP request rather than a text acknowledgement. I accepted the request, and arrived at Ravenhart SIM where the Fierce Tibetan Gods were performing. A large crowd was on hand and the band sounded great. I sent her an instant message thanking her for the ride over and asked what time had it started to which she replied that it was nearly over.

“It’s a benefit fundraiser; it would be a good story for you to cover Nazz.” She said and then added, “Money is flowing in … just had one for 10K and one for 15K. The money is going to Artists 4 Mercy.”

I was about to ask her who I could speak to about the event when I spotted Anu Papp, who wore a group name tag “Artists4Mercy”. So I thanked Robin for the lead and clicked on Ms Papp’s name, opened an IM window and introduced myself. We had a brief exchange; she was rather busy at the moment wrapping up the event activities and thanking the band and crowd for their generosity. She suggested that I come back the following day and she would be happy to talk about the Artists 4 Mercy and give me a tour of Ravenhart.

She’d also sent me a link to the organizations web site where I discovered that Artists 4 Mercy is a subsidiary of the Gaia's Lap Foundation Inc., a non-profit charitable organization founded by Anu (aka Lori Anu Lesch) where she serves as executive director. The foundation’s primary purpose “is to provide assistance to orphanages globally based upon a thorough assessment of their immediate needs for wellness”. The subsidiary is an all volunteer program that provides artistic and non artistic members an opportunity “to connect to each other through arts”, increasing awareness and providing assistance to the “needs of children in orphanages”.

I arrived at Ravenhart where Anu and I exchanged greetings. We stood just outside of the foundation’s headquarters, while I waited for the site to come into view. We then walked up the few steps through a wide opening and onto a black and white checkered floor in the foyer. On the right was an open area with desk and chair along with information on the foundation and several of Ms Papp’s other activities. I turned my view slightly to the left, noted a staircase leading up and a video room adjacent to the stairway.

“When we met yesterday, I knew your name sounded familiar and I think I’ve seen you perform.” I commented.

“I’m a musician in real life and have released three albums … the last one in 2002. I perform live, me and my piano … just not as often. We also have a radio station, its commercial free for Indie artist’s … at its height we had over 35000 listeners in 100 countries ... it’s not a public station now. It can be heard at the Lost Garden of Apollo. We make it available to SIM owners for $50 USD per month.” She said.

“This is a nice build Anu. By the way how did yesterday’s fundraiser go?” I asked.

“The concert bought in $200 USD and we have another concert set for next Sunday. Come upstairs, there are some things I’d like to show you.” She replied.

On the way towards the stairway I commented about the placard on the wall with the Gaia’s Lap Foundations mission and vision. I asked her. “When did the foundation start?”

“The foundation started in 2003, its non religious and a nonprofit. It is about helping the kids out and keeping the arts alive … it’s not about money.” She replied then added, “I’ve owned Ravenhart for a year now. I’m passionate about what I do and pay for the SIM out of my own pocket. The SIM consists of artists who donate their time and their work. There are a lot of people who have their hands in it. They've all contributed to making it what it is. Here’s a list of those who are involved.”

She passed me a note card with the following information on who is involved and what they do:

Barton Dowd, Video and Sound Engineer

Ulysses Cabaret, Artist and Creator

bark Aabye, Photographer

Trasgo Beaumont, Clothing Designer

Jenne Dibou, Builder of the Taj Mahal

Eleynora Wisent, Furniture Creator

Gaius Luminos, Fierce Tibetan Gods

Raielien Ackland, Clothing Designer and Builder

We then toured the second floor, which contained both a small gallery and a room where she makes cards, using the affirmations that she’d written. Having gone back down to the first floor and on the way to our next stop, I asked her how Artists 4 Mercy had started.

“Well it’s an artist’s network and it developed out on the internet. The arts can inspire and heal … we want it to be an important part of children’s lives … enhance their minds and spirit. It’s all volunteers and we’ve connected to each other … to make music and arts a more significant part of their lives.” She replied.

Having made our way across a stone walkway that sat alongside a canal the Indian Palace came into full view and it was an impressive structure. The pale colored stone texture took on a pinkish hue when I set the environment to sunset. We entered the building and made our way to the top floor where one could view the surrounding structures that included a coffeehouse and the events area where Sunday’s performance had been held.

“I understand from an article you’d given me that you’re planning a trip to Uganda. Is that one of the foundations projects? ” I asked.

“Yes, the Mercy Home of Children Orphanage in Kampala, Uganda. Our process begins with a needs assessment ... to look at and make sure that the basic needs are taken care of before doing anything else. We may end up procuring a school bus so they can travel safely. The arts will be a component of the trip as well.” She replied and then added, “We’ve worked here locally as well … a community center in a traditional Navajo dwelling … using it for art and then there’s the recording of songs performed by the students. The foundation provided finance for the project and equipment along with providing expertise.” She replied.

Our last stop on the tour was up and into the Linden sky, to visit the location of the Royal Family of the Court de Boheme. It is an elaborate complex of buildings that included; a grand ballroom which was reminiscent of one I had visited in Vienna, a palace with bedrooms for the royal family members and replete with a throne room for formal receptions, a small but highly detailed church and a courtyard where the changing of the guard ceremony is performed. She explained to me that in the role play she is Anna Jagellonica, Reine de Bohème and Hungary, and that her role is based on a real life persona, who had been born in 1503. It is the longest running role play court in second life.