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I love this fundraising letter! It’s from Libana, a women’s vocal ensemble based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There’s nothing pleading or lacking or guilt-making about it. Just a simple call, from a position of strength, to join in the fun. Since the letter is long, I’m only posting excerpts. May they inspire.

Good Friends, far and near,

Sometimes astonishing things happen by chance.

Sometimes serendipity prevails, inspiration calls and amazing results emerge as a complete surprise. This is exactly the way in which Libana’s new CD-in-the-works, Turning, came to be.

Inspired by rehearsals of new music for our Artists Economic Stimulus Package (in other words, concerts) celebrating the Solstice, Libana made the bold spur of the moment decision to professionally record both performances las June. If nothing else, we deemed it a good archival move and had a vague hope that perhaps one or two pieces would be duitable for download – it being the 21st century and all.

After listening we raised our collective eyebrows. With a few re-records to eliminate the inevitable audience shuffles and snuffles, it appeared we quite unexpectedly had the possibility of a new CD on our hands! Synchronistically, it would celebrate Libana’s 30th anniversary as a creative community.

In the current economy, as an arts group which has had to make drastic cuts to our already lean budget, the nod to proceed seemed implausible. Yet as if by divine beckoning, doors opened, paths cleared, generosity was offered – this CD nearly asked to be made, and we answered the call.

A busy summer ensued. Sandwiched between sailing races and a departure to Europe we spent a day recording in an outlying church quietly located in the woods. We are thrilled with the musical result. From the first tolling bell to the final shimmer of hammered dulcimer, Turning, will be a CD of shining gentleness and deep rooted richness.

Now we need you. We’ve got gorgeous music and a glorious cover art ready to go. It is your financial suppor that will bring this CD into the world…

Scott Macaulay of Filmmaker magazine has written a bit about film marketing that’s worth a read. His thoughts apply to all largish creative endeavors, not just films. Here are a few excerpts from his current Editor’s Note:

“We are all telling you that you must define your audience, aggregate them, get their email addresses, build a marketing plan and conform to a new orthodoxy that believes that it’s up to the filmmaker to drive the new model that will see a film arrive to audiences’ home screens, desktops and cell phones.

As the Labs progressed throughout the week, I found myself resisting a ‘one size fits all’ pattern of advice, urging each filmmaker to discover what might make their film stand-out in the marketplace and hone a strategy that was unique to them. There was one film, a beautifully executed, small relationship drama, that probably shouldn’t be hyping themselves through endless email blasts; the film will get into a great festival and audiences should feel like they’ve discovered it on their own… On the other hand, there was a powerful social-issue film that needs to target and reach out to audiences who will debate the movie’s topical concerns after the credits roll. Each of these filmmakers shouldn’t try to shoehorn their film into some new conventional wisdom. In other words, nobody knows anything – except, if he or she is very lucky, the filmmaker…”

You can read the whole thing here.

Another inspiring slide show from the NYTimes.

Favorite quote?

“Nobody wants me to do anything, so I’m just doing what I want.”

–Liz Fallon, visual artist, Portland, Maine

Surf, encaustic & ink on panel, 5″ x 4″

It’s been a computery few weeks! I’ve been hard at work updating my website. The most exciting addition, I think, is a new gallery labeled “current” at left with 21 new paintings for you to peruse. You’re also invited to check out my new homepage (the image changes whenever you reload) and info about workshops. Phew!

Thanks to my pixel partner, amstec, for so gracefully keeping me in the 21st Century.

I support this.