Giving Back

James Neville and Markelle Valdez are ongoing contributors to a charitable project called Help Refugees Now, donating hundreds of pieces since its inception in 2025. Their work, which spans a wide stylistic range, has helped draw regular visitors back to the table. The intricate reactions and fractal-like patterns produced through layered materials and drying processes create dynamic, often unpredictable compositions that make choosing between pieces a joyful challenge. Our supporters are always curious to see what James and Markelle will produce next.

Help Refugees Now was born out of necessity in the summer of 2025. It has grown into a collective of artists busking on the streets of Cambridge and Boston, turning artwork directly into food for refugees.

The project’s table and setup are versatile and portable (able to adapt to nearly any location). This flexibility was developed and adapted over the decades of busking experience shared among the core members. Through this grassroots, street-level practice, the collective has raised over $200,000 for refugees in Gaza.

The palettes and artistic styles shift in response to what the community seems to need in the moment. Collaboration and experimentation across mediums are central to the process. The table is not just a site of exchange, but a participatory space: passersby are invited to make something of their own, to contribute creatively rather than simply observe.

The project can be followed on Instagram at HelpYazanNow.