In the heart of Manhattan’s Little Ukraine, an emotional art installation titled Empty Beds vividly brings attention to one of the darkest tragedies of Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine—the abduction of thousands of Ukrainian children. Each haunting image portrays a child’s empty bed, symbolizing lives disrupted and families torn apart. Created by photographer Phil Buehler with Bird of Light Foundation, the mural urges us all to stand together, support these families, and ensure every abducted child can return safely home.

What began as a provocative gold-framed portrait of Vladimir Putin from a Kyiv protest evolved into an extraordinary adventure. Transported to Burning Man by a generous friend, the portrait’s fate took a surprising turn when a chance encounter inspired us to transform it into an official art installation. Navigating the challenges of registration, mounting, and eco-friendly lighting, we relied on the incredible Burning Man community to bring our vision to life. Interactive and evolving, the portrait became a canvas for personal expression in the deep playa. As the festival ended, a heartfelt collaboration with a Ukrainian camp led to its preservation in the Ukrainian National Museum of Art in Chicago. Join us as we reflect on the power of art, community, and serendipity that turned a spontaneous idea into a lasting legacy.

Through our Art Unites fundraiser, we raised over $63,000 to support orphaned children in Ukraine. Now, in partnership with Save Ukraine, that generosity is building a foster home in Irpin and funding therapy for children with disabilities. From creativity came care—and soon, a safe place to call home. Thank you for turning art into action.

On April 19, 2024, Bird of Light Ukraine successfully halted the Mariinsky Theater’s scheduled performance at Lincoln Center. Alerted by friends in the dance community about the Russian ballet’s appearance, we quickly mobilized local activist group Svitanok, supportive politicians, and influential business leaders. Viewing the performance as a cultural Trojan horse to normalize relations with Russia amid its unacceptable invasion of Ukraine, we organized a powerful protest. Dressed as a Russian ballet troupe, our demonstrators performed in front of a giant, blood-splattered portrait of Putin. Our collective efforts led to the cancellation of the ballet, underscoring that art should not be used to mask injustice or aggression.