Hello Friends,

It has been nearly six years since I moved from San Francisco to St. Louis.  Sometimes it feels like yesterday, but mainly it feels like I’ve been here forever (in a good way of course!).  I will never forget how warm a welcome I received from the art groups in this city.  The California naysayers had doubted my ability to move my art to the next level in the Midwest.  Lucky for me, St. Louis has a thriving art community filled with gracious folks who are quick to take you into the fold.  I heard about Art Saint Louis shortly after I arrived and instantly became involved, first with exhibitions on and off site, and for the last few years, with my work on the Program Committee and involvement with Critique Groups.

This is an organization near and dear to my heart.  Their support of me (as an artist) has been amazing.  Their ‘Calls for Art’ and exhibitions have helped me to grow in ways and directions I could never have imagined.  Their staff is engaged and attentive to the needs of member artists by providing a Slide Registry, Off-site exhibition opportunities, portfolio reviews and the chance to become involved at every level of the organization.  They recently chose my art to hang on one of the banners in front of the new building.  Art Saint Louis works not only for their members, but for the arts community as a whole, helping St. Louis thrive in this vital area.

I am sure you are all aware of groups that have suffered financially due to the recession and cutbacks on every level.  Non-profit organizations have been hit from all sides – fund raising has resulted in less money; corporate support has decreased; and grant monies have been reduced.  Sadly, Art Saint Louis has been hit too – with an especially unfortunate issue to boot – we finally moved to our dream building on Washington Street just as the recessional woes struck our community.

So at this time, Art Saint Louis is in immediate need of funding.  I come to you simply as a member who is concerned about an organization I value.  Whether in the form of donation or membership, I am sending this email to ask you to support Art Saint Louis.  Click on over to www.artstlouis.org for details regarding membership and/or donations.  If you know any corporations that might be interested in sponsoring an upcoming exhibit, please contact me directly.
I would also ask you to consider forwarding this email to others.

Artfully yours,
Mary Beth Shaw

Amen-

Greg

A car dealer by our house closed recently. In doing so it has kind of become a metaphor for the way things are right now. I passed the place for six months waiting until I thought things were right. Then I took this picture.