Dear Friends:
The Alberta duPont Bonsal foundation is four years old and I thought I would share some of the highlights of that period. The inspiring events that have centered around art and poetry, new-found relationships that have been established and watching the Alberta Prize Winners celebrate continued success in their careers have all re-affirmed my belief in this foundation and its goals.
I can remember the delight I had when I visited 2000 Winner, Jean Lowe's studio in 2000 in May of that year and saw the range of her works from books, rugs, furniture and exquisite paintings complete with frames and whole rooms put together all with an inspiring message of pro-environment, but done with beauty and taste. Jean was our first winner and it was a thrill to see her work in progress.
One person who stands out over the years is Liz Armstrong, chief Curator Orange County Museum of Art, who nominated Jacci Den Hartog, 2000 winner and Kelley Nipper 2004 winner, is probably the most courageous person I have met in the arts during this period having successfully fought breast cancer with strength and humor, and without complaint.
it has been gratifying to see the support build from a few family members and friends to well over 100 supporting patrons during this period. Our goal is to put the artists and poets first in line for funds. After all, the great institutions would be nothing without these artists and poets.
In addition, I have been very pleased to see that our artists and poets are rapidly progressing in their respective fields with Sarah Sze, receiving the Mac Arthur award as an example of high achievement. Other winners have been very successful in receiving awards as well both in art and poetry. It has also been gratifying to see the camaraderie that exists amongst the winners both poets and artists. All the winning artists and poets are interesting, dynamic and but mostly gracious human beings bringing their vision in art and poetry to us all.
Finally, my mother Alberta would have enjoyed the company of these outstanding women who in many respects represent part of the kind of woman she was, interesting, dynamic, and gracious looking to the future even into her 92nd year.
Sincerely, Gough W. Thompson Jr. , President
Email:
GWTJR4242@aol.com for general questions about the foundation.
lydia@adbfoundation.org for visual art submissions.
thompsatom@aol.com for poetry submissions.
ann@sandiegoartist.com for questions regarding this site and the donation process.
Telephone:
(619) 742-1590
Post:
Alberta duPont Bonsal Foundation
8070 La Jolla Shores Drive, #206
La Jolla, California 92037