2012 Comunidad Foundation Fundraiser

Comunidad is a non-profit organization formed by ArtAndes, a dealer of high-quality, hand-woven textiles from Peru.  The organization works with the indigenous people of Paccha, a mountain village in the Peruvian highlands, whose lives and communities were decimated by the Shining Path terrorist group. Comunidad is dedicated to providing the community with the tools and resources they need to get back on their feet.

This year celebrates Comunidad's 10-years of service to the people of Paccha. Everyone is invited to a special night of great food, live music, a silent auction, a raffle for hand-woven tapestries, and much more!

Fundacion Comunidad Annual Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, April 21, 2012
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Art Andes Showroom, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE #285, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Fee: $60 per person ($40 tax-deductible). RSVP by April 17th.

I'm continuing my tradition of donating custom artwork to the silent auction, where I will create a one-of-a-kind portrait of the winning bidder's loved one. This prize has been very effective at raising funds for Comunidad over the years, so I'm hoping for repeat success!

For more information about this event and to purchase tickets, please visit Fundacion Comunidad.

Art Crush Wednesday: Little Free Library

As a big fan of creative little libraries, it was no surprise that I immediately fell for Little Free Library. These adorable wee houses of knowledge can be found all over Madison, WI and are starting the pop up nationwide. The designs are the cutest and I’m dying to put one up in my neighborhood!

Any organization or individual can join the Little Free Library club (packages start at $50 and fundraising assistance is available), purchase a pre-made library or build and decorate one themselves, and stock the library with their own collection or host a book drive in their community. All contributions to the Little Free Library Pay It Forward Fund are tax-deductible and help others get libraries.

This is a great way to bring literacy, education, and a sense of community to neighborhoods near and far! I want to see more schools, Boy and Girl Scout troops, civic associations, neighbors, and fellow readers take up this cause. You can read more about Little Free Libraries via The Star Tribune or check out the Little Free Library website.

Thanks to the Stillwater Public Library (I miss you already!) for the tip.

Comunidad Fundraiser

Comunidad is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 by ArtAndes, a dealer of high-quality, hand-woven textiles from Peru.  The organization works with indigenous people in the Peruvian highlands, whose lives and communities were decimated by the Shining Path terrorist group in the 1980s and 90s. One such community is the mountain village of Paccha, where Comunidad is currently focusing their efforts. In Paccha, Comunidad has started a secondary school, four kindergarten schools, a mobile library, and a scholarship and nutrition program.  The mission is to give the people the opportunities and tools they need to get themselves and their community back on their feet.

To further benefit the people of Paccha, Comunidad hosts a fundraiser in the ArtAndes showroom every year. Everyone is invited to a night of great food, live music, a silent auction, a raffle for absolutely gorgeous tapestries, and much more.

Fundacion Comunidad Annual Fundraiser
Date: Saturday, April 30, 2011
Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Art Andes Showroom, Northrup King Building, 1500 Jackson Street NE #285, Minneapolis, MN 55413
Fee: $60 per person

This organization was very important to my dear friend Pat, so I have donated a commission for a custom portrait to the silent auction. A painting I'd donated last year was one of the best-selling items there, and I'm hoping for repeat success.

View some photos from last year’s event, and be sure to order tickets in advance. Please RSVP by April 19, 2011. For more information on this great organization, please visit Fundacion Comunidad.

Lakes International Language Academy Spring Fling

Today is the last day to reserve tickets for Lakes International Language Academy’s upcoming Spring Fling! Join this amazing Spanish immersion school for a gala appreciation and fundraising event. 

Lakes International Language Academy Spring Fling
Date: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: Dellwood Hills Golf Club, 29 East Highway 96, Dellwood, MN 55110
Fee: $60 per person

The evening will feature cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, live music, and a fabulous silent auction. I’ve donated artwork to the silent auction again this year, this time a commission for custom portraiture! The winning bidder will receive a 9”x12” watercolor painting of the subject of their choice.

Visit MN Gives for more information and to buy tickets online. Hope to see you there!

Gearing up for the #PBDummy Challenge

It’s amazing that 2011 is almost here already!  I’ve been lining up projects for the New Year, and one of them is the Picture Book Dummy (#PBdummy) Challenge on Twitter. This exciting opportunity was brought to you by the fine folks organizing and participating in #kidlitart.

January 6^th is the one-year anniversary of #kidlitart, and to celebrate they are kicking off a Picture Book Dummy Challenge. The goal is to complete a dummy book as part of an author/illustrator promotional package by June. There will be resources, support and check-ins during the six months as described on the #KidLitArt blog. Participating artists can be identified on Twitter by the special “twibbon” on their avatars (here’s mine).

Thanks to @BonnieAdamson and @WendyMartinArt for hosting this challenge! Be sure to check Twitter for #PBDummy discussions and keep an eye out for the twibbon.