The Amy Winehouse Foundation and MusiCares have announced a one-of-a-kind NFT (non-fungible token) from photographer Charles Moriarty with visual artist Mark Palkoski to benefit both organizations. The Winehouse foundation, created in memory of the singer, who died in 2011 at the age of 27, is a registed charity founded to inspire children and young people to build their self-esteem and resilience; MusiCares is the Recording Academy’s charitable wing, which distributes millions of dollars every year to music people in need.
The auction is set for Tuesday, May 18 and will be available for bidding through Mandolin and Open Sea. This NFT is part of the “Back to Amy” exhibit and livestream, which will be presented live on July 23, 2021 (the 10 th anniversary of Winehouse’s death) and will feature performances in celebration of Winehouse’s legacy and cultural contributions on the tenth year since her passing.
The live stream is presented by Mandolin, City Winery, and Qello Concerts by Stingray and pre-sale tickets are available now with $10 from every ticket benefiting MusiCares and The Amy Winehouse Foundation. The celebration’s line-up and details of the in-person exhibit at City Winery Nashville will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
Janis Winehouse, Amy’s mother, said of the exhibit, “Charles has captured a fresh-faced Amy full of life and fun, I treasure those photos.”
Unlike other NFTs, all auction proceeds will go to the Amy Winehouse Foundation and MusiCares to support musicians struggling with mental health, addiction and substance abuse.
“Mental Health has, unfortunately, claimed the lives of too many and in recent years has become more rampant across the industry,” says Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares. “Here at MusiCares, we’ve seen time and time again how struggles with mental health can negatively impact someone’s life. That is why we’re proud to collaborate with the Amy Winehouse Foundation to not only honor Amy and her incredible life and career but also help those who are suffering from this devastating disease.”
