Double Your Donations to La Mesa ARTS Alliance Via SD Foundation

To the editor:

If you are interested in making a donation to the La Mesa ARTS Alliance during this matching challenge by the San Diego Foundation, here are the rules:

1.  The donation must be made before 7 p.m. tomorrow, December 15th.
2.  The minimum donation is $25.
3.  The donations will be matched, doubling the amount the LMAA will
receive.
4.  Just click on this link and follow the simple instructions.

This is a wonderful opportunity to help us and have your gift count for
DOUBLE the amount you give.  Please consider helping, as every penny will go
toward our upcoming programs in the community, especially with La Mesa's
youth.

Your consideration will be deeply appreciated.

We do all kinds of things throughout the year.  Some examples:

• The Utilities Box Project continues to grow.  We are responding to a request from the LMPD to expand the project by painting 15 more boxes along the University Avenye corridor between 70th Street and Allison Avenue during Christmas break.  The designs are being developed by students from the elementary/jr. high/high school students along the route.  Our members, teachers, and parents will supervise as students create their own works of art and beautify our community.  We are asking that police officers on duty that day stop by to thank and encourage the student artists.
• Every year during spring or fall we hold "Art in the Park" events during which students can attend hands-on creative activities at no cost, including such things as t-shirt painting or mask-making or printing and collage projects during which all materials are provided and students take their creations home with them.
• We will have an expanded theatrical event during 2012 in concert with the Centennial celebration.  It is done on a shoe-string but there are always expenses.
• In May comes the annual joint event with the East County Youth Symphony, during which a free classical music concert is given.  (This is also a fundraising event, but you can imagine how well that has gone in the past few years...)
• In September we will participate in the City/Grossmont Healthcare "Kids Care Fest" by having some sort of interactive arts experience available for children's participation.
• We have begun a revolving "Art on the Go" exhibit wherein an art object of some kind is loaned to a local school for exhibit.  The item and information on its provenance and creation are shared with the students.  The items are varied and represent many different artistic disciplines.  These items are purchased by the LMAA and we are hoping to be able to expand the collection, which to date is modest.
• Other projects come up from time to time, including events during which we assist other organizations or local businesses with an art component during their events, for which we provide materials and assistance/supervision.  In this past year we participated in two different events at Grossmont Center at the request of their management.
• We have also participated in various events in La Mesa Village.
• And the ever-popular summer Sundays @ Six concert series.

Patty O'Reilly, secretary
La Mesa ARTS Alliance