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A letter from our Executive Director,
Debra Owen 2007 was surely exciting at Frank Bette Center for the Arts. We continued our ambitious schedule; monthly exhibits with First Friday Galas in the gallery, satellite exhibits hosted by our gracious community partners, a steady stream of free activities for all ages, including: poetry readings, storytelling swaps, writing workshops, artist demonstrations, arts and crafts groups, live music, and lectures. All so people can make meaningful connections and enjoy being in the company of other artists and art lovers. Frank Bette Center for the Arts is Alameda’s Community Art Center For 48 hours in February, Alameda on Camera artists hit the streets, challenged to capture the views, light, and spirit of where we live. Their artwork, unveiled in April at the tremendously popular Alameda On Camera exhibit, was like a breath of fresh air. In July, the 2nd Annual Frank Bette Plein Air Paintout drew 40 gifted artists from the Bay Area, Western US and even Italy, to spend four days of intense outdoor painting in Alameda. We celebrated in lovely Jackson Park with the artists exhibiting almost 300 paintings! People discovered they love plein air paintings and had to take them home—many still wet! Everyone reveled in the camaraderie and talking about the fresh paintings. It was a gorgeous Alameda day of art, music, demonstrations and wine tasting! Look forward to encores of our city-wide art events, and more in 2008! Hard to believe, but true! Over 15,000 people have experienced Frank Bette Center since our doors opened in 2003! Over 500 artists have exhibited a staggering 9,500 artworks in 54 exhibits. Imagine the potential of connecting artistic insight, personal authenticity, and lots of elbow grease blended with your generous donation. People find their voice. Lives change. You make it possible. Thank you! Together we build a stronger community. In 2008, let’s put our heads together to combine our strengths and resources. We’re now joining forces with other community service organizations, schools, city leaders and businesses to fan the creative sparks. Under one compelling mission, we’re weaving the arts into the very fabric of our society. Your donation impacts how high and far we go! Please give generously. On behalf of our Board of Directors, staff, artists, invaluable volunteers, your friends and neighbors and, in Frank Bette’s honor, THANK YOU! Debra Owen Executive Director |