It’s time to build (and pay for) our “new building”. I’m told we’re short only about $157,000.

So we can get to ground breaking ASAP (we hope by May 2007), wouldn’t it be nice if one or several of our very generous members contributed that (fully tax-deductible) $157,000 shortfall within the next 60 days?

How to donate?  Thanks to Don Kirschner and the Building Committee, in addition to our $100 Buy a Brick program, we now have the AAG Wall of Honor – for donations of $3,000 to $25,000 and more.   To view and download information on both of these programs, visit our Web site at www.arizonaartistsguild.org  Click on “New Building” on the left menu listing on the Home Page.  For more detail on donating appreciated stock or bonds or the 2007 window of opportunity for members 70+ years “young” to donate non-taxed contributions from their IRA, contact Don Kirschner at (480) 585-6606.

OK, all of this may be “wishful thinking”, you might say.  But what if that wish miraculously comes true? We still need operating funds.  So we also welcome endowments to help operate our organization, provide more member services, and maintain/improve our well-located property at 7th Avenue and Union Hills.

Speaking of member services, we encourage you to enter our Spring Exhibition, (Entry deadline is January 29) to be held at Shemer Arts Center – a delightful venue for both Juried and “To-Be-Juried” members.  The Prospectus for this show is included with the January newsletter and also under Call For Entries on our Web site. 

We also encourage you to enroll in our Saturday Workshops – Outdoor Sketching with Grace Haverty (January 27, 2007), and a special two-part Composition workshop with Diane Van Noord (March 3 and 10, 2007).

Meanwhile, we’re pleased at the positive response to our new Pre-Meeting Critique format (6 p.m. to 7 p.m.), and Artist of the Month program.  Many congratulations to November’s winner, Rita Goldner.  We look forward to seeing you on January 16 for a presentation on “Giclees and More” by Andrew Wollman of Century Editions, preceded by a critique session with art innovator, educator, and long-time AAG member, Tom Herbert.

On February 20 we’ll welcome pre-meeting critique with Diane Bykowski, then Fred Newman on  “Photographing Your Art”.  March 20 features critiquer Rowell Quinton, and Bill Cupit on “Using Colored Pencils”.  On April 17, renowned artist and educator Sue Hunter will preside over both the pre-meeting critique, plus Sue’s own presentation on “Painting Over Pastels”.

So “thank you in advance” for whatever contribution you might provide to keep our 501(c)(3) volunteer organization vibrant.  Be it your volunteer time and/or your financial donations, the AAG needs your help.

Sincerely,
Vicki Lev, President