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PLEIN
AIR FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT MONEY
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The
Sonoma Plein Air Foundation presented checks to the Sonoma Valley
school principals whose grant requests were approved.
From
Left to Right: Beth Wilson (Sassarini), Lauren Ekman (Dunbar),
Joyce Schipper (Flowery), Keith Wicks (founder of Sonoma Plein
Air), Barbara White Perry (president Sonoma Plein Air Foundation),
Dan Scudero (Adele Harrison), Lance Hanson (Altimira), Beth Langlamet
(Prestwood), Maite Iturri (El Verano). |
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Since 2002,
the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation, a non-profit all volunteer organization,
has provided support for art education programs for Sonoma Valley youth
generating over $200,000 for local art education.
The Plein Air Foundation has also
established liaisons assigned to each school to track the projects and
review the results.
Grant awards
have gone to Dunbar, El Verano, Flowery,
Prestwood, and Sassarini elementary schools, Altimira and Adele Harrison
middle schools, and Sonoma Arts Guild, for projects such as Art at Lunch
programs, a 28' mural project, visiting artist programs, poetry in the
school program, upgrade to a kiln room, painting and drawing workshops,
and extensive supplies for the middle schools’ print making classes.
Sonoma
Valley Museum of Art received monies for the Arts Rewards the Students
program. The Sonoma Community Center received funds
for the ongoing art scholarship program and the scholarship
program for high school students.
The Sonoma
Plein Air 2009 event will begin May 4th, the Gala Dinner May 8th, and Art Exhibition and Sale on the Plaza May 9th.
To volunteer
in any way call 707.933.9756 or email us at Info@SonomaPleinAir.com.
Since its inception
in 2002, the Sonoma Plein Air Foundation, a non-profit all volunteer
organization, has provided support for art education programs for Sonoma
Valley youth.
In the past six
years, this annual event has generated more than $200,000 for grants
to support local art education programs.
“As the popularity
of Sonoma Plein Air grows each year, we are attracting a higher caliber
of fine artists, and increased attendance.” said founder Keith
Wicks.
“The event
is truly memorable. Professionally organized, well run with a great
underlying spirit! Meeting so many fine artists is joyous,” said
participating artist Davis Perkins.
Many artists at
the Saturday Exhibition in the Plaza sell out all their work created
during the week. The artists generously give 40% of their sales to the
Foundation. Chuck Pyle, artist, and Director of the School of Illustration
at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco said, “As a participant,
I am amazed at how marvelously well the event continues to be run, and
run at an ever increasing level of professionalism without losing the
warmth and feel that it began with.”
Seven schools in
the Sonoma Valley School District, the Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma
Valley Museum of Art, and Arts Guild of Sonoma are now putting together
their individual art program requests. The Foundation board will review
all requests in December, award grants and post the results on their
web site in early January.
The volunteers are the driving force behind this non-profit organization.
From the board of directors, event coordinators and everyone else involved,
countless hours are given for the cause of art education in Sonoma Valley.
The Sonoma Plein Air Foundation also deeply appreciates the generosity
of the individual and business sponsors.
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