Renowned early childhood educator and YouTube personality, Rachel Accurso, known to many as Ms. Rachel, is organizing an art exhibition and sale in New York City featuring works by children from Gaza. This initiative aims to support Palestinian children by raising funds. Ms. Rachel, whose educational content has garnered over a billion views, has been outspoken against the Israeli actions in Gaza, particularly the impact on children, which has led to backlash from right-wing groups.
The exhibition, titled “Colors That Survived,” will be on display for one day at Chelsea’s Caelum Gallery on Tuesday, January 13. Twenty limited edition prints of each piece will be available for $200, with all proceeds going directly to the young artists. The artworks will continue to be available for purchase through the organization Artists Support until January 30. Among the featured pieces is “Begging for Food” by 16-year-old Yara, depicting the hunger crisis in Gaza, and “House on His Back” by 12-year-old Ahmed, illustrating the burden of displacement.
This exhibition follows Ms. Rachel’s appearance at Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year gala, where she wore a dress adorned with Palestinian children’s art. Her advocacy has not been without controversy; she was named a potential “Antisemite of the Year” by StopAntisemitism. Despite the challenges, including online harassment, Ms. Rachel remains committed to her cause, as she shared in a heartfelt video in May 2024.
Estimates suggest that since Israel’s attacks began in 2023, 50,000 children in Gaza have suffered casualties. Ms. Rachel has highlighted stories on her YouTube channel, such as that of Rahaf, a three-year-old who became a double amputee. She has actively participated in fundraising efforts, including a successful campaign on Cameo that raised $50,000 for Gaza’s children. Her advocacy extends to media appearances defending her stance on Palestinian youth’s plight.
The exhibition is in partnership with the creators of the film “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” which chronicles the story of Hind Rajab, a six-year-old victim of Israeli military action. In a press release, Ms. Rachel expressed her profound connection with Gaza’s children, noting their courage and resilience in sharing their art and stories amidst severe challenges.
