Gran Saline Piney Woods Encampment (BALM collage and painting, detail, 2023).
The Born Again Labor Museum (BALM) is moving from our location at the strip mall near Piles Fork Creek to the north-west side of Carbondale. That means we won’t be open for events in August, and we will re-open sometime in September. In the past two years, we’ve been happy that BALM has been a place for art, music, and for organizing — for reproductive justice, hosting socialist and labor organizing events, and more.
But the Piles Fork location has become increasingly expensive. Utility rate increases and inflation have raised our costs. This move will lower our operating expenses and allow us to continue organizing the BALM project into the future. We want to take this moment to thank everyone who has supported BALM and been a part of events at BALM.
But we also want to encourage folks to financially support this ongoing work if they are able. The past year, BALM cost more than we were able to recoup through support on Patreon and during our annual fundraiser. Consider joining our Patreon — all patrons receive materials from the Locust Review project as well as BALM artworks. Or donate to our Gofundme, or give directly by CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, G Pay (see below).
We also want to encourage our supporters to share this appeal directly with friends and comrades. We have a goal of raising $1,200 and doubling our patrons on Patreon by October 1st (2023). Let your friends and comrades know about the work we are doing, and if you are comfortable doing so, encourage them to support our project. They can learn more about BALM from our website. In addition, BALM’s work has been covered by The Real News and The Southern Illinoisan (more than once) — and BALM artists have been interviewed on Illinois Public Radio, The Vlarn Blog, in Imago, on Socialist News and Views and The Acid Left.
We look forward to seeing y’all this coming fall.
In Solidarity.
Tish Turl + Adam Turl
Born Again Labor Museum
P.S. BALM artifacts, artworks, and gestures are supposedly based on epistles delivered from time-traveling representatives of the Communist Resurrection Cult — aiming to help prefigure the gravedigger’s multiverse.
Selected Images from BALM
