FREER Donor Rockstars 7
We appreciate EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE of our donors. Not only people who give money, but also give time volunteering, and give access to their information and resources. You're all priceless. It’s an honor to highlight those who have participated in building us to this point. Thank you all! 💯
Edited by BL Shirelle
Ellen Alpert is a long time family friend of our Founder Fury Young. She’s also an avid art lover, humanitarian and one of FREER’s most dedicated supporters! Our Co-E.D. BL Shirelle sat with Ellen to chat about her life and times and undying faithfulness to our mission. Thank you for all the support Ellen!
Ellen & Fury at last year’s Picto art show
BL: Before we even get into anything else, I just want to say this — you have this spirit of giving that feels very natural, like it’s just who you are. I don’t actually know that much about you beyond knowing you love art, you have a longtime partner, and you’ve been a family friend of Fury’s forever.
Ellen: Yes — before he was even born.
BL: So let’s start there. Where does your story begin?
Ellen: I grew up in upstate New York, and after high school I moved to New York City—which was the best thing I ever did! I went to college for a bit, but it didn’t feel right, so I ended up working at the NYU Library. Later, I spent a little over a year in California, and that time really changed how I saw myself and who I wanted to be in the world. When I came back to New York, I started working for the city as an Urban Planner, mostly around housing. That work is actually how I met Lee (Fury’s father). He came into my office furious because the city was trying to take his building through eminent domain. After a lot of conversation, we worked out a solution that protected the parties involved by swapping properties. We stayed connected for a while, then lost touch for years. However, through that entire time he grew to be one of my favorite artists. Reconnecting later in life has honestly warmed my heart.
BL: You’ve always loved art. Where did that come from?
Ellen: I love color. If you came to our apartment, you’d see it immediately. I’ve always been drawn to fashion, art, and creative spaces. I don’t think of myself as an artist the way Lee was — I’ve dabbled — but art has always been very visual and emotional for me. My aunt used to take me to museums when I was young, and as I got older, I realized I really loved modern art. I love to dwell in museums, and I love having art on my walls — especially if it’s my friends’ art. That makes it even more meaningful. My mother kept an oil painting I made when I was nine. I thought it was terrible, but she loved it because her daughter made it. That always stayed with me.
BL: What made you want to support FREER the way you do?
Ellen: It starts with Fury — he’s family — and wanting him and FREER to be successful. I’m in a position where I can help financially, and also in other ways, and that matters to me. Giving isn’t just money. If I have information, experience, or connections that might help someone, I want to share that. Being able to give—to people who are doing meaningful, creative work—is really important to me.
“66” a piece by Fury Young which Ellen purchased to support us. Made up of found objects from a 2018 FREER Southern trip.
Ellen & Fury at the Picto show, with Simply Naomi the background <3
BL: What was it like the first time you really experienced the work FREER does?
Ellen: I was completely blown away. The music, the art, the creativity — it honestly floored me. These are people who have been incarcerated for a very long time, finally getting the opportunity to express themselves and be seen. That exhibit [FREER by FREER Records, a multimedia art experience on the past, present and future of American prison music - Picto NY, 2024-25] was phenomenal—visually, sonically, emotionally. Everything about it was beautifully done. I remember thinking it deserved to be seen by so many more people.
BL: Thank you so much for that. We put a lot of work into it. When you think about your life, what do you hope people remember about you?
Ellen: I think people would say I’m kind, generous, and a loyal friend. Family — chosen and biological — is very important to me. If someone needs help, a shoulder to cry on, or a real conversation, I want to be that person. One of my close friends is dealing with Alzheimer’s right now, and just being there for her — that matters deeply to me. I’ve worked on myself for a long time. Therapy helped me heal my relationship with my mother, who raised two kids alone after my father died. She lived to be 105, and over time our relationship softened and grew. That taught me patience and grace. My sister has also been a big part of my life journey. She’s a lesbian like me and developed MS later in life. Our relationship has been complicated, but what matters most to me now is simply being there for her and supporting her however I can.
Ellen and I at lunch last December with Fury and our new colleague William Nazareth, who Ellen connected us with!
BL: You’ve lived through a lot of social change. What keeps you engaged?
Ellen: I still care deeply about social justice, LGBTQ issues, youth, and community. I still march. I still show up. I don’t care who you love — I just want people to be happy and able to live their lives fully. I also travel as much as I can. Life is short, and at 73 you really feel that. Going to places like Southeast Asia and Vietnam —especially given my history in the anti-war movement — was powerful and emotional. Those experiences stay with you.
BL: If someone reading this is considering supporting FREER, what would you want them to know?
Ellen: That it truly matters. Visibility matters. Creativity matters. People matter. Supporting FREER means helping people be seen as human again, and that’s something worth standing behind.
BL: Thank you, Ellen. This was really special.
Ellen: Thank you. I really enjoyed talking with you.