BLAZING GAVELS AUCTION JUNE 3-12

Here's a riddle for you. What do I and my Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery have in common with H-E-B Foods, the artist Brother Cletus, Burger King, and the Weston Centre? Answer: We all support San Antonio's public television station KLRN through their annual Blazing Gavels TV auction!

For the 3rd year, I'll be joining these and a whole slew of businesses, ranging from huge, international corporations to mom-n-pop corner stores to fellow artists and artisans, by donating services and products to be auctioned off June 3-12. This year I am again donating 10 gift certificates for the one-a-day promotion. That's right, you have a chance everyday to bid on a Casa de Linda gift certificate! Each certificate has a $100 value that can be used toward my Summer Art Camps for ages 5-12, painting classes for ages 10-adult or applied to the purchase of one of my original wildflower paintings! Bidding will start at $25 for each certificate so you might have a chance for a really good deal. And you'll feel great knowing that the money you do spend goes toward KLRN programming!

So if you are in Central Texas area I hope that you'll tune in to KLRN Ch. 9 June 3-12 for their 43rd Annual Great TV Auction.

Donations needed for Summer Art Camp Program

Five years ago I rented a studio space above the New Braunfels Art League Gallery in downtown New Braunfels Texas and opened Casa de Linda Art Studio and Gallery. I started giving painting classes for students ages 10 through adult in my new studio. That first summer, I also decided to offer a few week-long art camps for younger children. I quickly found that the Summer Art Camps filled an important need as there are few opportunities for art classes for children. As a result, the program has grown every year.

In 2008, 39 children took a total of 62 camps. For Summer 2009, I have again scheduled 10 weeks of camps for ages 5 to 13. Camps start in early June and continue through mid August. Mornings are reserved for younger artists, ages 5-8. In the afternoons, I offer camps for ages 8 to 13. Each camp is limited to 8 children. (A full brochure can be downloaded here.)

Last year, a wonderful retired gentleman and local resident learned about the program and offered to donate $500 to the New Braunfels Art League -- and to get a matching grant from his former employer -- to fund scholarships for children of families with financial need. Thanks to his generosity, NBAL used the $1000 donation to award 12 Summer Art Camp scholarships to children ages 8-12.

This year, we have again been blessed with the $1000 donation. But there is a great need in our community. I have set a personal goal of at least doubling the number of scholarships we award in 2009. To do so, I need to raise an additional $1000. The funding is facilitated through the New Braunfels Art League, a non-profit arts organization, so donations are tax deductible.

If you are in a position to donate toward this program, you have two options.

First, you can mail your donation to the New Braunfels Art League, P.O. Box 310325, New Braunfels, TX 78131. To learn more about NBAL, please visit their website. Be sure to include a note with the donation that it is for the Summer Art Camp Scholarship Program.

Your second option is to simply donate online using any major credit card or your Paypal account.

All donations will be turned over to the New Braunfels Art League to be consolidated with the other donations for this special scholarship program. Please let me know if you need a receipt from NBAL for your tax records. To donate right now, click here or use the "Donate" button at the top of the column to the left of the is blog posting.

Thank you for taking the time to read this important post and for considering a donation to the Summer Art Camp Program. Every donation, regardless of the amount, will be greatly appreciated! If you have any questions, please contact me.