Emergency Fund for Winston’s Heart + Art Show Revival
“Mild Heart Attack, Major Life Reminder”
Hi everyone, San Francisco punk surrealist artist Winston Smith, known for his many album covers (Dead Kennedys, Green Day, Jello Biafra, D.O.A., NoMeansNo, Ben Harper, George Carlin, etc. and punk flyers, & rock posters, Dead Kennedys, Porno for Pyros, Moonalice, Pearl Jam, etc, as well as his many band logos including his iconic DK logo) had been planning a new solo show originally set for early June has been temporarily postponed—not by choice, but by a surprise “mild” heart attack (his words: “like being ‘just a little bit pregnant’”). The irony? It happened the day after his birthday.
While he’s home now—after becoming a “human pin cushion” due to being assaulted with multiple needles (—noting that he’s a real sissy about pain in general) —doctors insist that he slow down for the foreseeable future. That means rescheduling the show for later in the summer (date TBD) and, more urgently, covering medical bills, recovery costs, and lost show income.
How You Can Help:
Donate: Every dollar eases the stress of medical expenses and lets Winston focus on healing (and prepping for his rescheduled solo show).
Share: Even if you can’t give, spreading the word is huge.
Send Love: Winston’s overwhelmed by the texts, emails, and “carrier pigeon memos” (his humor’s intact, thankfully). A quick comment here will brighten his day.
Why This Matters:
Winston’s art is his lifeline—and yours too, if you’ve ever been moved by his work. This fundraiser ensures that:
Medical bills don’t derail his recovery.
The rescheduled show happens without financial strain.
He feels the community’s support (which he calls “the best birthday gift ever”).
Where Your Support Goes: The “Heart Attack/Art Attack Survival Kit”
Winston’s unexpected cardiac adventure came with a not-so-fun surprise: bills. Here’s how your help will get him back on his feet (and back to his art):
1. Medical Mayhem
Emergency Room Visit: The “why is this Band-Aid so expensive?” starter pack.
Cardiology Follow-Ups: Heart tests, meds, and doctor’s scoldings about stress.
Medevac Helicopter: Turns out sirens aren’t free (who knew?).
2. Home Safety Upgrades
Grab Bars/Non-Slip Mats: For when standing up feels like a high-wire act.
Emergency Alert Device: A “HELP, I’VE FALLEN AND CAN’T REACH MY PAINTBRUSHES” button.
Stretcher/Transport Chair: For future art deliveries (or just in case).
3. “Never Again” Prep
Medical Radio/Communicator: To summon help if his phone’s across the room (“I’m an artist, not a contortionist”).
Heart-Healthy Groceries: Specific dietary changes that require special preparation.
4. Art Show Revival Fund
Venue Deposit (Round 2): Because the show must go on (for later this summer).
Promotion/Materials: New flyers that say “Winston’s Back (Literally)”.
Lost Income: Bills don’t pause for heart attacks.
5. Emotional Support Budget
Therapy Copays: For processing “Why did my heart pick NOW to rebel?”
Thank-You Cards: To spam you all with gratitude.
From Winston:
“As grim as this could’ve been, I’m weirdly grateful. My guardian angels were working overtime, and so are my friends. If I don’t reply to your texts, e-mails, missives & smoke signals, know your kindness keeps me going. Over & out—for now.”
Stay tuned for the new show date!
ATTENTION: SOLO SHOW POSTPONED
Heart Attack
Art Attack
Due to an unforeseen emergency we are needing to temporarily postpone my art show (which was set for this Friday, June 6th).
The reason being that just the other day I had a “mild” heart attack (like being “just a little bit pregnant”). Mild or not it was an unexpected surprise, the day after my Birthday, no less.
They stuck countless needles in me and finally turned me loose, but I’ll definitely be in the slow lane for the next couple weeks/months.
So, with regret we’ll need to reschedule the new show for now and maybe plan to do it later in the Sumer. We’ll send out a notice once we nail down a new date.
Thanks to everyone who’s checked in. I’m doing Ok and I very much appreciate the kind words and support. In case I can’t write back or answer all messages, texts, e-mails, carrier pigeons, smoke signals, etc. please know that your kind concern has really cheered me up. As grim as this could have been I’m inclined to regard this as the best birthday I’ve ever had. My guardian angels were definitely working over-time.
Thanks you guys!
Over & Out.
Winston
