TOM OF FINLAND IN
BOSTON
IT AINT NO
TEA PARTY
A few newsletters back, we
put the word out that if anyone was interested in doing a fundraiser
in his home town in a bar, a gallery, or at home that
the Foundation was ready and willing to help make it happen. Well,
one of our members took us up on the offer Vincent Turner of
Boston, Massachusetts. He signed up his good friend Barry Waldman
to assist him, and they were off and running.
The Foundation mailed invitations,
sent out press releases, printed flyers, and sent support material
to make the evening work. The evening included a slide presentation,
a silent auction, a screening of Daddy and the Muscle Academy,
and a short, personal lecture by Vincent.
With our hosts picking
up the cost of the beverages and hors d'oeuvres, the result was that
the Foundation netted around $430. Though it was a small group in
attendance, there was strong support to do it again next year, and
to get more interested parties there.
The Foundation's board
was delighted with the success of the event, and felt it was a very
important first step for Boston in expanding the message of the Foundation
and getting more people interested in supporting the erotic arts.
The Boston experience also helped the Foundation create a blueprint
for other such fundraising and public relations events in other towns
around the globe.
So how about you: want
to do one in your hometown...? Give us a call!
ANIMATION
FORUM
Well, we have booked the date for the Animation Forum here at the
Foundation. It is now officially scheduled for Saturday September
29, from 1-5pm. We shall be sending out invites to those who indicated
that they were interested in attending. The Forum is geared to animators
and investors interested in working on, or contributing to, a Tom
of Finland animation project. Call us if you are, or if you know of
someone we should invite.
BOARD CHANGES
AT FOUNDATION
We are pleased to welcome
two new members to the Foundation's Board of Directors. Doug Bedard,
a Los Angeles attorney, who also served as Mr. Faultline Leather 2000,
has joined the Board, as has Cliff Benjamin, of the Mark Moore Gallery
in Santa Monica, which represents Tom of Finland in the art world.
Joining our Honorary Advisory
Board is Mr. Bungaku Ito of Tokyo, the publisher of Barazoku Magazine,
now celebrating its thirtieth anniversary.
After serving many years
on the Board, Mike Goldie has resigned. We're sorry to see him go,
but knowing Mike, we'll still see him at Foundation events! Thanks
for all your years of service, and enjoy the beach!
TOMS
COCKTAIL PARTY IN JUNE
On Friday evening of LA Gay Pride Weekend, the Tom of Finland House
in Echo Park was the site of what we hope will become a yearly institution:
Tom's Cocktail Party. This gathering is meant to honor those Foundation
members who have contributed $100 (Seaman level) or more during the
membership year. Many of our contributors are out of the L.A. area
indeed, many are out of the United States but we felt
that Gay Pride Weekend was a fitting time for such an event, since
many people come to L.A. to visit friends or for the festivities.
For this first party, approximately
thirty contributors mingled over drinks and canapés, and took tours
of the house to view the art on exhibition from the Permanent Collection.
Next January, we will hold
the first of another yearly ritual: Tom's Dinner Party. This event,
which will honor members who contribute at the Commander level ($250)
or above, will also be held at the house, and will feature drinks
and a dinner of Tom's favorite recipes. If you want to be included,
increase your contribution now, and you'll be on the guest list come
January!
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