Located at 419 N. 4th Ave., &gallery was first established in 2018 by Eat Sleep Work. It was a place where artists could come and display or sell their works. Currently, the gallery still holds onto those ideals with Cynthia Naugle at the helm now. 

This summer was a hard one for all of Fourth Avenue, especially &gallery. Not only were the high temperatures a problem, but thievery was at an all-time high.

While &gallery as a business can’t fundraise, that’s where Sean Paul and other local artists or volunteers come in. Paul is helping organize the fundraiser alongside those who stepped in to help Naugle and &gallery when asked for help.

“We reached out to artists. We all came to the gallery, sat down at a table together and started bouncing off ideas, thinking,” Paul Said. “Goofy clown stuff that’s on brand, all organically planned by those who came together.”

Paul talked about the booths that will be run by artists that locals may have seen before on display at &gallery. Both the all-ages block and after-party block will have these booths available for anyone who shows up.

One of the after-party activities that will be taking place is Naugle sitting on a cake. 

“Cynthia, the owner and curator, will be sitting on a cake at the end of the night […] She’s so behind this establishment that she’s willing to put her behind on a cake,” Paul said.

Paul encourages people to come with an open mind, especially with the after-hours block. To him, it’s a fun and great way to come out and support a local Tucson business that uplifts and supports other local Tucson artists.

To Naugle, some things have been so instilled into our minds that we tend to not ask for help even if it is important to. 

“I can’t do it on my own, and I got to a point where I couldn’t, so I had to lean on the community and friends to [help] me out,” said Naugle. “It’s been really good and I would do exactly the same for any of the artists here.” 

The artists and Paul are helping plan the event so as to make sure &gallery stays around for years to come.

Naugle said supporting local businesses and artists even if it’s  just buying a sticker is important, as without them, Fourth Avenue, as well as other parts of Tucson, wouldn’t be so colorful or funky.

The GoFundMe for &gallery will be open even after the fundraising event. The event itself will be held from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. this Saturday, Nov. 11. The 7- 9 p.m. block will be for all ages and have balloon animals, caricatures and more. The 9-11 p.m. block is the after-hours with a beer wench, cake sitting and more!

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