Solidarity of EADTarragona with the people affected by the DANA in Valencia

A month after the DANA storm hit Valencia, devastating three regions – Utiel-Requena, La Ribera, and especially Horta Sud – the situation is still far from returning to normal.

The catastrophic DANA event of October 2024 will be remembered for its human impact: over two hundred people lost their lives, and the material damage is incalculable. Families are struggling to return to normalcy, with streets full of rubble and wreckage, and homes and businesses destroyed by the floodwaters.

In this emotionally overwhelming context, how can we help from an art school?

At the School of Art and Design of the Tarragona Provincial Council, we believe in the power of art and design to bring about positive change. That’s why, throughout this month, we’ve organized several initiatives to do our part in supporting those affected by the DANA and to send the message that they are in our thoughts.

Over the past month, 150 black latex gloves were placed in the school lobby. This initiative came from students and staff – both administrative and teaching. Anyone who wanted to could paint or decorate the gloves with positive messages. It’s an ephemeral action, as when the gloves are used, the paint will come off, leaving only the tool – the material.

The boxes of decorated gloves were sent to those affected by the DANA through XAMA Ong, a solidarity network that fights food waste and offers support to people and families in need. Specifically, the gloves were distributed from a social kitchen in the town of Massanassa, which has been providing meals to locals while essential services and food businesses are still not fully operational.

The social kitchen is run by volunteers from Massanassa and nearby areas, with weekend help from volunteers from other places. They all received the gloves, along with the messages of encouragement written on them. This initiative was meant to offer practical help, but also emotional support to those who’ve been through tough times or who are assisting with the clean-up and recovery.

The transport and delivery of the gloves were documented by Sergi Grau, a design teacher and photographer, who captured the moments of the glove distribution during the weekend of December 6-9.

In addition to the gloves initiative, on December 3rd, during the celebration of Saint Eloy, the festival of jewelers and goldsmiths, a raffle was organized to raise funds. A total of 700 € was raised and sent to the Musical Society of Algemesí, which was severely impacted by the DANA.

Second-year Painting students (Applied Arts to the Wall) also got involved by creating postcards. The proceeds from the sale of these postcards also went towards the donation to the Musical Society of Algemesí, one of the most important cultural associations in the region, which also runs a renowned music school in the Ribera Alta.