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Dear M---, Bienvenidos and Hello! I grew up on historic Olvera Street. Literally. My family and I lived above the bustling street surrounded by our closest friends and all of Los Angeles. When I was a child, Olvera Street was a wonderful, magical place to me. It still is. I am writing today to ask for your help in sponsoring this year's Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos) Juried Art Exhibition at Olvera Street. This event's roots are in ancient Mexico, yet it is an exploration of life in Los Angeles today. The exhibition will run from October 28 to November 26, 2006; the theme is "Viva El Amor Eterno" (Eternal Love Lives). On Friday, October 27, we will host the artists' reception and gallery blessing at the historic Pico House Gallery on North Main Street, south of Olvera Street. On November 2, we will have our award ceremony. We usually receive a lot of press media. In each of the last several years, this event has attracted more than 10,000 visitors-not counting the continuous busloads of school children. This year we expect our numbers to be up. The purpose of the exhibition is to create a forum for people to speak freely of their beloved ones and embrace the tradition in their own life. The exhibition will be filled with heartfelt paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs, and installations, of both traditional and contemporary natures. Altars are always at the center of Day of the Dead celebrations. One of the many altars in our exhibition will focus on the Iraq War. It is not a political exhibit but rather a way for all of us to honor those who have lost their lives in the war. The event is free, and the public is invited to participate. I am currently in negotiation for this year's judges. Past judges have included Al Nodal, Director of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles; Henry Hopkins, Director of the Armand Hammer Museum; Virginia Fields, Curator of Los Angeles County Museum of Art; and the Mexican Consul. And now, just a bit about me: I'm a local businesswoman, curator, artist, and community volunteer. I have won many awards and grants, including a Grant Award from the Mexican Government (Consejo Nacional Para La Cultura Y Las Artes) to create an exhibit with the Museum of Mexico City. It was a great honor for me. I've been the curator for more than 30 local art shows, and I have curated El Día De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition for more than 10 years. The Altar of the Iraq War was included in the children's academic book Day of the Dead: A Celebration of Life And Death published by Capstone Press, which explains the history and significance of the Day of the Dead. The book is available in bookstores, schools and libraries. I am also the publisher of Olvera-Street.com, a Web site focusing on Olvera Street and the surrounding community. We have more than 2,300 subscribers to our monthly e-newsletter, and our subscriber list is still growing. October is one of our heaviest months for hits since we have so much historical information on the site about the Day of the Dead holiday and other cultural events. We also highlight events throughout Los Angeles on the site. Attached is a chart explaining "Usage Statistics for Olvera-Street.com" for your review. Olvera-Street.com is an important resource for Latino Los Angeles. And, according to the Oralia Michel Marketing and Public Relations firm, "Latinos have the buying power. It will continue to grow to an expected $926.1 billion in 2007." So, you can see, a link from our Web site to yours will certainly help with your company's brand recognition in this important market. Our sponsorship levels are as follows: -Our highest level of sponsorship: "Jose Guadalupe Posada" ($3000 or in-kind donations) comes with your logo and name on the gallery wall as well as on banners, posters, souvenir bookmarks and coloring books available at the event. We will put a note of thanks to your company in our next e-newsletter with a link to your Web site; we will also highlight your company as a major sponsor in our press release. -Our "Frida Kahlo" level (sponsors of $1,500 or donations) will come with your logo on the gallery wall and listed on our Web site as well as on the souvenir bookmarks and coloring books. -The "David Alfaro Siqueiros" level ($600 or donations) will put your name on the gallery wall and on the souvenir bookmarks and coloring books. -"Angelitos" sponsors ($300 or donations) will be gratefully listed as sponsors on the gallery wall. If you'd like more information, here are a few links to learn more about our event: -Olvera-Street.com's September E-newsletter
-Letter from the Curator - Dia De Los Muertos Juried Exhibition, "Viva El Amor
Eterno" Press Release When you do become a sponsor, what will we do with the money? We have many plans for this year's exhibition, and many professionals who have volunteered their time and efforts to help us, but we do need financial resources to make this vibrant event truly come to life. We need to print invitations, coloring books, bookmarks, information boards and banners. We need funds for installation supplies, promotions, decorations and prizes. We also need to pay staff for the artists' reception, award ceremony, and gallery sitting. We'd like to buy a projector so we can make a PowerPoint presentation. We want to fill the gallery with mpasuchil and nube (marigolds and baby's breath) for the arches and altars. We will also be buying paint and brushes and paper so children can create their own responses to the exhibit. Help us make this happen. If your company could make a contribution to this major cultural and creative event, please contact me. I would be more than happy to further describe the event and the art that will be on display, to answer any questions you might have, or to discuss ways you might contribute. This event is currently sponsored by Rondeau Fine Arts, Olvera-Street.com, Olverita's Mexican Village, DebraAnneDavis.com and the Olvera Street Merchants Association. I'd love to add your name to that list. Contact me at (323) 240-8369 or email me at Rondeau@Olvera-Street.com. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Feliz Dia De Los Muertos! Sincerely yours, Ginette Rondeau, Curator |