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ANNUAL FUND DRIVE The mission of The Drawing Studio is to teach, demonstrate, share, and encourage the art studio practices from which the skills of visual intelligence are cultivated by people at any age or walk of life. To read more about our 2008 Annual Fund Drive click here

2008 Annual Fund

Supporting Art Across the Lifespan

One of the most satisfying parts of my job is that I get to be a witness to transformation almost daily. I know it from the inside—as a studio artist and student—and from the outside—as a teacher, informal course advisor, and as a voyeuristic administrator who loves to eavesdrop on classes in session.

The transformation begins the moment someone begins to pay attention. In this moment, the work of TDS is actually at work. Like some kind of giant and still-growing perceptual organism, we become completely focused on that edge, this color, that shadow, this shape. Time falls away. We practically vibrate with the force of our attention. (I have just suggested an image of the artist-as-steroidal-cicada. Nevertheless…)

In this intense engagement, we experience the energy and deep satisfaction of observing. It is this moment that underlies the comment we hear frequently around here: “I see the world differently.”

I want everyone to experience these moments—as many and as often as they can, and without regard to their ability to pay for them. Which is why I’m asking you—baldly, boldly, and blatantly— to make a gift to The Drawing Studio’s 2008 Annual Fund.

This year’s Annual Fund is focused on extending the experience of “waking up” to people of all ages and walks of life.The Drawing Studio invites one and all to participate, but this invitation is only real with your partnership. Your gifts make possible:

•            Youth Program

Art immersion for teens 13-18 during the summer, and workshops, classes, and open studio practice during the school year. Now extended to youth, ages 9-12. On average, about 40 percent of our students require scholarship assistance to participate.

•            On-Site and Satellite Adult Studio Education

Flexible formats and schedules for busy adults—some of whom could not participate without scholarship assistance—in a wide range of foundational and media-specific classes and workshops serving not only the metro Tucson area, but also smaller communities in southern Arizona.

•            Outreach Art Tutoring for Seniors (OATS)

Art tutors working in assisted living facilities, senior and neighborhood centers, libraries and churches with seniors who can’t come to us and reconnecting them to the world. The vast majority of participants are living on a fixed income.

The Annual Fund addresses one of the most obvious issues of accessibility, that is, tuitions and fees. While we keep our fees modest, tuition/fees still provide only about 40 percent of what it takes for TDS to operate. But even these costs are out of reach of many people. That’s where you come in, as a friend who helps out another friend (whether you actually know that person or not).

But accessibility is about more than just money. Sometimes barriers to participation are more subtle. Your gifts to the Annual Fund make it possible for us to purchase chunky graphite sticks and swiveling table easels for seniors. Your gifts allow us to employ teaching artists who visit schools to personally encourage the interests and talents of uncertain teenagers or explain to the parents of a 10-year-old at an art fair that their son inhabits an unusually rich visual world that might be nourished. It is your gift that provides a sympathetic voice on the phone to gently encourage the middle-aged person who always wanted to try.

See the world differently—and please share it with someone else.

–LF

Print out the return form, complete and mail it to TDS, 33 South 6th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701
you may also call TDS at 620-0947 and make your donation by phone. Thank you!