Hello there,

I am so happy to finally share this exciting news— HUG has been acquired by .ART Registry, the premier digital domain of the art world!

This new chapter will empower more creators than ever with unparalleled tools, technology, and opportunities online, onchain, and in the real world.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

This acquisition marks a significant milestone for the artists of HUG, who will now be joining .ART's network of creators, museums, and organizations which span over 400,000 domains and includes high-profile adopters such as Refik Anadol, XCOPY, LACMA, Bitforms Gallery, Apple, and more.

As a welcome gift, .ART is extending benefits to HUG's community:

• A free 1-year PRO subscription to ID.art

• A free standard .ART domain name

• Additional discounts and credits towards a premium .ART domain

Over the years, it's been incredible to see HUG grow from a handful of artists to a thriving global community of over 35,000 creators across 180 countries. The transition to .ART will build upon HUG's strong foundation, providing artists with even greater resources to enhance their creative careers.

LOOKING AHEAD TOGETHER

As HUG hands the reins over to .ART, some of our services such as Open Calls and Artist Storefronts will take a brief hiatus while .ART integrates more comprehensive tools and resources onto our website. Until then, we encourage you to take advantage of all that .ART has to offer and get excited for bigger and better opportunities in 2025!

To ensure a seamless transition, my cofounder Debbie Soon will serve as an advisor to .ART, and part of our team will be staying on as .ART ambassadors to continue their work with the artists we have admired and advocated for over the years.

JOIN US TO CELEBRATE!

Save the date for December 16th at 10:00 AM ET and join us for our first-ever virtual event as one united community.

HUG and .ART are hosting a livestream where we’ll introduce the exciting new features and benefits available through the .ART platform and community. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with familiar faces from HUG and meet new friends at .ART.

I hope to see you there!

When my cofounder Debbie and I first started HUG, our goal was always to democratize access to the arts and empower creators to succeed on their own terms. It’s been a privilege not just to see so many of you grow your creative career, but to grow alongside you as well.

On behalf of my entire team, thank you to every artist and art lover who has been on this journey with us. I'm so excited about where you'll go next with .ART, and will continue to cheer you along just the same as I always have.

Forever rooting for you.
With love from your mother hugger,