PLEIN AIR FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANT MONEY

	The Sonoma Plein Air Foundation presented checks to the Sonoma Valley school principals whose grant requests were approved.

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 hundreds of thousands of dollars for local art education. The Sonoma Plein Air Festival raised $83,000 in the 2010 season alone for these causes.

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.

To volunteer in any way call email us at Info@SonomaPleinAir.com.

“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 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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