Recap: Neff x The Seventh Letter Sesame Street Art Show

Street art, fashion, and the stars of Sesame Street collided in LA this past weekend for a very special exhibition benefiting City of Hope's Department of Pediatrics. Organized by Neff and The Seventh Letter, the show included art work by renowned artists from around the world and was hosted by Known Gallery. The short term show yielded amazing creative results as well as making a positive impact on the local community.

Participating artists included: Aaron De La Cruz, Amanda Lynn, Anthony Lister, Askew, Augustine Kofie, Axis, Carlos Donjuan, Dabs & Myla, Dame, Danny D, Eric Dressen, Evol, Franco Vescovi, George Thompson, Haeler, Honkey Kong, Jaime Oliver, Jasper Wong, Jeff McMillan, Joe King, Kelsey Brookes, Leo Eguiarte, Les Schettkoe, Madsteez, Manny Sayes, Mambo, Mark Dean Veca, Matt Nichols, Mr. Cartoon, Munk One, Nate Van Dyke, Norm, OG Abel, Patrick Martinez, Persue, Pose, Push, Revok, Rime aka Jersey Joe, Samuel Rodriguez, Sage Vaughn, Sever, Slick, Stash, Steel, Todd Bratrud, Trevelen, Victor Reyes.

We caught up with a few of the participants, notably Madsteez and Stash, to get a sense of what involvement in the project means to them. For good measure, we're also showing the best of the exhibition for those you couldn't attend.

Acrylic on canvas panel, 30x20.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? I don't know if this my favorite memory, but I do remember being afraid of Oscar the Grouch, and kind of feeling sad for him because he had to live in a garbage can outside, he was probably fine with it though.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? To support City of Hope means a lot me, they're an incredible organization that helps a lot people with diseases live better lives. We need to support institutions like City of Hope and do what we can so they can keep doing their work. So, I'm stoked I can participate in a show like this.

Acrylic on wood, 24x14.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? My favorite memory of Sesame Street would be flipping through the television channels and seeing something so colorful and different than anything else on TV at the time. It really had a positive feeling that made learning authentically fun and wasn't just pandering to kids.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? City of Hope means a lot to the community since so many people know someone who has or had cancer. I'm just really glad I to be part of this and being able help out in some way.

Found wood, spray enamel and metal screws, 42x46.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? To be honest, it's getting to relive the experience through my kids and discovering how it has stood the test of time.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? It means EVERYTHING!

Acrylic on wood with transfer print, 17x11.

Acrylic on wood and collaged papers, 17x11.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? My favorite memory of Sesame Street is counting numbers with The Count.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? Healing, helping and inspiring people through art, is the reason I paint, so donating to this organization only makes sense to me!

Acrylic on canvas, 96x72.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? I fondly remember my Mom reading me Seasame Street's "Oscar's Book" over and over and over again when I was just a little WEEN. When I had my son, my Mom gave me back "Oscar's Book" so I could read it to him. He just turned 7 and now he reads it to me which completely blows me away.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? It means a lot to me to support City of Hope because my girlfriend's Mom was lucky enough to be accepted by City of Hope's Cancer Center after she was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. City of Hope has some of the best treatment facilities in the world and thanks to them, she has been cancer free for over a year.

Mixed medium on Bristol board, 14x11.

What is your favorite memory of Sesame Street? As a little kid I remember watching the episode where Bert and Ernie explore the Pyramid and it scared the crap out of me but I liked it at the same time. The fact that Ernie was spooked out and got left alone with me and my own fears probably didn't help much. I think it also helped build my fascination with museums in some twisted way. Leave it to Sesame Street to pull all of that off in one short skit.

What does it mean to help support City of Hope? I love how this show taps into all of our memories and love for Sesame Street while also shining the light on City of Hope. I think this show is a great vehicle for achieving financial support for City of Hope and hopefully this can lead to other like-minded art shows. People enjoy purchasing a piece all the more because there is such a great cause that is a part of it.