AAC Receives Generous Gift

 Generous Gift Pledged to AAC

 The Atlanta Artists Center has been chosen to receive a wonderful gift from the Fine Arts & Design Foundation Miami in the amount of $100,000! The Foundation is under the umbrella organization of Joyas Imperiales, based in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico, which was founded and is headed by Mr. Freddy Novelo, one of Mexico’s most recognized philanthropists. The Foundation selects organizations which are non-profit, non-government-supported, and which promote art and artists and bring art to their communities.

            Each year, the Foundation identifies a specific city in North America, Latin America, Europe or Russia and contributes to selected organizations or institutions in that city. This year, the Foundation chose Atlanta, and through its research center, discovered the Atlanta Artists Center. We, along with the Atlanta College of Art, are the two Atlanta organizations to receive the pledge of a donation in 2005.

We sent Irene Bledel, AAC board member and co-volunteer coordinator, to represent AAC at a gala in Tampico, Mexico. After hearing more about the Center, and understanding that we are an all-volunteer organization which does so much for art and artists, Mr. Novelo and Christopher Clark, the president of the Foundation in Miami, doubled the original pledged amount. In addition to increasing the amount, the Foundation also indicated that it wants to establish an exchange of art and artists between AAC and Mexico and has earmarked a portion of the promised award for that purpose.

            Irene made a whirlwind three-day trip to Tampico. The highlight of the visit was the gala, May 11, which celebrated the opening of the exhibition Fabergé “La Visita del Zar” featuring pieces from Joyas Imperiales’ collection of jewels of Imperial Russia and Fabergé eggs, as well as clothing and documents of the period.

             We are honored that the Foundation has offered this gift and we look forward to receiving the funds that will allow us to do so much for art and artists.

Thanks to every member who works so hard to make AAC the incredible organization that it is.  

Judith Schonbak, President   
 

 In the News...

Coverage of this story in The Story Group: http://www.the-stories.com/gbase/Expedite/Content?oid=oid%3A4963