I am an artist and a photographer who has published my work, won awards, and shown my photography and painting in many groups shows, but I was not able secure that most important milestone in any visual artists career : a solo show of my work in Los Angeles. In order for the public to understand the direction and import of an artists ideas, it is critical for any artist to be able to show a full body of work, in one place, all together, rather than piecemeal, one work in a group show with others, here and there.
I applied to the Harc Foundation and was thrilled to find that out of a great many applicants I had won the prize of a one-person exhibit in Los Angeles. The Harc Foundation secured an appropriate and convenient venue for the exhibit, provided financing to produce the work, printed attractive invitations, helped me hang the work, publicized the show, invited the press, critics and other important figures in the art world, and arranged for a substantial opening night reception.
The event went off beautifully and was a huge success. Because of this show, there has been a dramatically increased interest in my work and the opening up of many other opportunities still evolving, which would not have been available to me if I had not had a solo show in Los Angeles. Curators, critics and gallerists who had previously not paid much attention, were now willing to take a second look. The show was a turning point in the development of my career as an artist that has had significant impact. I am enormously grateful to the Harc Foundation for helping me make this step. I also know that there are many other worthy artists, quietly doing excellent work, yet constantly struggling to open that one door to an opportunity for wider recognition. I hope that the Harc Foundation can continue to do for others what it has done for me.
I have had the pleasure to meet Susan Marchese, the founder of the HARC foundation, as a recipient of one of their grants.
What transpires at first sight talking to Susan, is the sense of mission and the enthusiasm that drives her in being part of the structural support for artists in many disciplines.
Susan, being a talented artist as well, is very sensitive to the needs of the creative and it has been refreshing not just to be able to share with her the challenges that an artist encounters in his/her career, but especially hearing her total understanding matured by her experience, reinforced by her genuine empathy, balanced by constructive suggestions.
It is very important to mention that the HARC foundation has created a synergy between artists and children in need of emotional healing. It is trough the creative process that children can find freedom from the shame, anger and sadness connected with abuse of any kind. At the same time the artists who are involved in these programs benefit from the experience as it deepens their capacity of understanding the power of the emotional issues and at the same time allows the artist to access the creative process at a deeper level.
The HARC Foundation is a necessary tool that I hope will be awarded for the magnitude of its service to the community, but in order to keep doing the outstanding work that I have had the pleasure to witness and benefit from, it needs the support from all of us.
I was honored to have a script I had submitted to the HARC Foundation's Competition for new works. I have never been treated with as much respect as a writer. I was kept fully aware of progress in the rehearsal process as I was in New York working and could not be physically present. The showcase performance was well received and had to be exteded to two (2) perfomances on the same day. My broher was able to attend and was most impressed, not only with the actors and the production, but the way he was treated as my representative.
The theme of the script of BRINGING OUT THE BEAUTY, about Matisse and his creation of the Chapel of the Holy Rosary at Vence, France, is about creativity, friendship, religion and the healing and salvivic effect of beauty on the human soul.
The HARC Foundation takes its mission seriously and certainly treats those involved with the utmost consideration. I only hope that my script helps them realize thier goals.
