PHOTOS | Root Division Raises $50K at Spring Fundraiser Celebrating Affordable Art for All

Event: Root Division’s Spring Fundraiser Flourish 2026: Art of Abundance
Date: March 12, 2026
Location: Root Division, SF
Photos: David Zahrobsky for Drew Altizer Photography

On Thursday, March 12, 2026, Root Division welcomed Bay Area artists, collectors, and supporters to Flourish: Art of Abundance, its spring fundraiser in San Francisco. Designed as an evening that celebrated art collecting as accessible, joyful, and rooted in community, the event featured more than 80 affordable buy-now artworks by emerging and established artists, along with bites from The Pawn Shop, cocktails by The Stud, and a packed room of creatives, patrons, and art lovers.

A standout moment of the evening was a panel on starting an art collection, moderated by Root Division board member Lauren Braun with collectors Wayee Chu and Storm Griffith, which explored collecting as both patronage and care. The celebration closed with a spirited afterparty featuring DJ Umami of the San Francisco Giants. The event raised over $50,000 to support Root Division’s mission of providing studio space, exhibitions, and professional development for Bay Area artists. What guests were talking about the next day was the event’s unique mix of accessibility, style, and community, especially the chance to discover affordable artwork in such a festive, welcoming setting.
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​Notable attendees:
​Lauren Braun – Root Division board member and panel moderator, Wayee Chu – investor at Reach Capital, panelists, Storm Griffith – founder of Obstinate VR studio, panelist, DJ Umami – official DJ of the San Francisco Giants, performs at the afterparty, Jonathan Carver Moore – gallerist and Root Division board member, Candace Huey – gallerist, Kat Vang – program officer at the Pisces Foundation, Sonia Aggarwal – energy and climate policy expert, ​Cynthia Loukides – former Root Division board chair, Lisa Olson – Root Division board member