President's Message!
By Debby Phillips

Art exists in our everyday lives.  It’s how we are all connected and how we see the world through each other’s eyes.   Artists use charcoals, oils and acrylic paints, watercolors and crayons to decorate, illustrate and express their inner thoughts and feelings.   

• We have:

• Advertising Art seen on billboards, magazines ads and television commercials.

• Arts Departments in our schools with creative teachers working with students to develop their talents for the right professional field.

• Art Directors in our motion pictures, televisions and the music industry who are responsible for designing all the visual aspects of productions including settings, costumes and lighting. Don’t we all love to see a movie with great scenery or clothing that is perfect for the period?  

• We also have methods governing and providing direction for our crafts such as the Art of Baking or the Art of Sailing.  Don’t you cherish or envy someone who masters a new art form?

• And, last we have Museums of Art where we go to learn about famous artists, admire their talents and appreciate the value and beauty of their achievements.  We have our own Riverside Art Museum to love, see great exhibits and financially support.  

As we know, Art is extremely important.  With so much art surrounding us, I would like this year to be a year to “Celebrate Art”.  We have lots of reasons to celebrate art. 

• We certainly want to celebrate when new members join our organization. 

• We’ll also celebrate the gift of these new friendships as well as the old ones during the year. 

• And, we’ll celebrate art in the success of our fun and fundraising events.   

As we begin Art Alliance’s 44^th year, let’s share our enthusiasm for celebrating art and the Art Alliance.  I’m looking forward to a great year!

Debby Phillips
President, 2008-2009