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Pratt Students and Faculty Raise Money for New Art Supplies

By Janet Upadhye | February 20, 2013 6:31pm

CLINTON HILL — Less than a week after a fire raged through the top floor of Pratt Institute's Main Building, students and faculty are trying to raise money and get new art supplies for the 70 students who's work went up in the flames.

"Many vendors have already donated art supplies and cash donations are coming in through the Pratt website," said Pratt Provost Peter Barna. "The response has been overwhelming."

Some students lost all of their paintings and prints

"I think fire insurance will cover some of the damage," Barna said. "But we cannot wait for that."

Besides a larger organized Pratt effort to secure donations, student groups and individuals are also taking it upon themselves to help out. Some student artists are selling their work outside the student union and donating the proceeds to those affected by the fire. Others are organizing grassroots fundraisers.

And people from near and far are donating their art supplies.

One Toronto-based artist, Candace Forsyth tweeted about her donation saying "In New York retrieving my art supplies. I will be dropping off the extras at the Student Union at @PrattInstitute. You should do the same."

Pratt has also formed the Pratt Fire Student Recovery Task Force and set up a hotline for people to talk about their loss and report missing items.

Students are beginning to recover from the shock of the fire.

"Most are ready to move on," Barna said. "They understand that their physical work is gone, and that is tragic, but the skills they have learned cannot be taken away."

Donations can be made through the Pratt website.