Editor:

On behalf of VSA arts of Alabama’s Art Partners on the Bay, we would like to thank the many people who made the 2009 event a success.

ArtPartners is a signature program of VSA arts of Alabama designed to provide a socially inclusive environment where local community artists and emerging artists with disabilities and chronic illnesses can engage in meaningful relationship-building through direct one-to-one participation in the creative arts. Throughout the spring, Baldwin and Mobile County area community artists worked directly with children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses to generate unique pieces of art together. Not only were beautiful masterpieces created in the process, but lasting friendships and learning processes were developed.

This year’s culminating event was held June 25, at the Eastern Shore Art Center and sold a record number of art creations, including paintings, fused glass, pottery, paper mache and mixed media pieces. This amazing evening was made possible by the generous support of community sponsors including Red or White Wine/MBC United Distributors, Carl E. Clark, AIFD/Southern Veranda, Winn Dixie, Panini Pete’s Café & Bakeshoppe, Wal-Mart, Jeanine Norman/Dr. Jazz, Gary Fuller (emcee/DJ) and Susan Wright.

We extend a special thanks to our visionary sponsors. Total Expression sponsor was Angus R. Cooper II, Creative Commotion and New Perspective sponsors included Sissy Outlaw, Ben M. Radcliff Contractor Inc., Dr. Mike and Ginny Boyd, Kim Cajacob, Rhonda Stacey, Lois A. Carney LLC, Hertha Green in memory of Chanel Anonymous in memory of Chanel; Pap and Sue Long, Dr. Susie Figarola, Dennis Williams/Integrity Landscaping, in memory of Rubena Williams; Gary and Lurleen Fuller, Hertha’s Second Edition; Jim and Pam Prestwood, Phyllis Klump, Klumpp Enterprises; Elizabeth and Grey Redditt, Montrose Bay Health & Rehabilitation Center; and Debbie and Michael Quinn. Donations were also appreciated from Nancy Schofield in memory of Antoinette Holt and Mrs. Frank M. Dulaney in memory of Dr. Frank Dulaney.

This memorable evening included a silent auction and a new added attraction of “ArtPartners at Work,” where guests had the opportunity to experience the magic of ArtPartners in person by watching artists create collaborative works of art before their eyes! As a result, we held a surprise live auction at the end of the evening that showcased the works that had just been created! Success can be measured in the smiles and shouts of joy as these special artists joined the ranks of those who can proudly say “I was part of a SOLD OUT artists’ event!”

All proceeds from ArtPartners on the Bay 2009 benefit VSA arts of Alabama programming for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses at: Eastern Shore Art Center, Mobile ARC and the Independent Living Center of Mobile.

We appreciate the efforts of the other committee members, including Sharron Beasley, Robin Fitzhugh, Carolyn Greene, Brandy Hartley, Lindsay Hutchisson, Patti Hendrix Lovoy, Lauren P. Nichols, Erin Wederbrook Yuskaitis and Jeff Zoghby.

To the many professional community artists who donated their time to ArtPartner, thanks for sharing in the joy of creation! Everyone who attended felt your enthusiasm through the artwork. There is one more outcome of an event like this that is especially exciting: you should see the growing list of emerging artists who want to come and be a part of this magical program!

Karen Williams &

Cecilia Lewis,

event co-chairs

Nancy Raia,

community outreach director, Eastern Shore Art Center