Local Artists Strike Up Fun and Funds for “Pinned to PONCHO” on
June 26

Lucky Strike Lanes, the retro-chic bowling lounge in Bellevue, will soon be auctioning-off a line-up of bowling pins so adorned in paint, glaze, color and texture, that they look like works of art; that’s because they truly are!

As you may know, PONCHO, the area arts nonprofit, and Lucky Strike Lanes are both tireless advocates for the arts. As a result, the two teamed up and commissioned nearly 50 fine artists from the Puget Sound to cast their creativity upon unfinished, regulation-sized bowling pins to create bowling pins d’art. These pins will be auctioned off at this lively event to benefit PONCHO’s art organizations, education and outreach programs across the state. For a listing of participating artists, please visit www.poncho.org

Pins will turn up on display at more than 10 prominent storefronts in Seattle and on the Eastside beginning June 16, leading up to the June 26 auction event.

Storefronts include:
In Seattle: Chocolate Box, Seattle Art Museum (SAM SHOP and TASTE Restaurant), and Sway & Cake.
On the Eastside: Bellevue Arts Museum, Cypress at The Westin Bellevue, Lincoln Square, Lucky Strike Lanes, Paper Source, Posh on Main and The Woodmark Hotel.

Join us in this celebration of “pin-novation” to benefit PONCHO! Come, admire, covet, toast and bid to help benefit PONCHO’s arts outreach in Washington!

Thursday, June 26, 2008, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Lucky Strike Lanes, Bellevue
Lincoln Square, 700 Bellevue Way NE
Admission: $20, 21 and over only
R.S.V.P. to pinned@tamarawilson.com no later than June 23

PONCHO: www.poncho.org
Lucky Strike Lanes: www.BowlLuckyStrike.com
Wilson Public Relations: www.tamarawilson.com

2008 Founders Luncheon Honors the Alvord Family

On June 05, PONCHO held its annual Founders Luncheon to honor the Alvord Family with the PONCHO 2008 Founders Award in recognition of the family’s distinguished contributions to PONCHO and the arts community. The Alvord Family members include Dr. & Mrs. Ellsworth C. Alvord Jr. (Buster & Nancy); their children Ellsworth C. Alvord III (Chap) (PONCHO Past President and Lifetime Trustee), his wife Eve, and their son Elias C. Alvord II and his wife Karyl; Richard W. Alvord, his wife Nancy, and their children Alexander, Virginia and Anni Alvord; Katharyn Alvord Gerlich, and her children Ira and Delaney Gerlich; and Jean Alvord Rhodes and her children Carrie, James and George Rhodes.

Over 150 guests, including civic and arts community leaders, filled the room at the Sunset Club to celebrate the Alvord Family’s contributions to a great number of organizations and causes throughout the Washington State. To underscore their life-long relationship with PONCHO, The Alvord Family has donated the $10,000 that comes with the Founders Award back to PONCHO.

“In 1960 Seattle hand one museum, the symphony and an arts school—no professional theaters, opera or ballet. Our family helped build new arts organizations and we are very proud that our children have followed our lead,” shares Chap Alvord. “PONCHO was founded by individuals who felt as we did and we are honored to be affiliated with such a dedicated group of people.”

The Founders Award was established in 2001 to recognize the civic leaders who formed PONCHO in 1963 to raise money for the arts. In its 46-year history, PONCHO has given over $33 million to the arts and is credited with being the early catalyst for establishing and sustaining many of Seattle’s world renowned arts organizations. Past PONCHO Founders Award recipients have been: Paul & Margery Friedlander (2001), Kayla Skinner (2002), Peggy Golberg (2003), the Alhadeff Family (2004), Herman & Faye Sarkowsky (2005), Robert Arnold (2006), and the Behnke Family (2007).

PONCHO would also like to extend a special thanks to the following donors who have contributed to the PONCHO Foundation in honor of the Alvord Family: Miller Adams, Rosa Ayer, Ellen Bakke, John & Kay Baxter, Jack & Becky Benaroya, Marilyn D. Dillard, John Fluke Jr., Peggy Golberg, Jane Hummer, Matt Kochel, Mark Levine, Bob and Lynn Lucurell, Stuart & Tyna Mandel, Chloe Mueller, Bob and Annette Parks, Allen & Kathleen Shoup, Elisabeth Squires, and Tonya Stone.

If you would like to make a gift in honor of the Alvords, please click here. As always, to view and purchase photographs from the Founders Luncheon, visit Team Photogenic.

Photo Credit: KIMBERLY PERSON FOR TEAM PHOTOGENIC © 2008

Chihuly founded glass school has been a primary force in the evolution of glass as a means of artistic expression.

Pilchuck Glass School, located in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest’s Cascade Mountains, has fostered artistic and educational inquiry of glass since 1971. The world’s largest and most comprehensive campus dedicated to glass, Pilchuck also enriches its offerings with the PONCHO supported Summer Artists-in-Residence program. Ten accomplished artists working in different mediums stay and work at Pilchuck for 17-day residencies throughout each summer. Sharing their professional and artistic knowledge with the Pilchuck community, the resident artists also expand their own creative repertoire with a foray into glass.

In 2007, minimalist inspired sculptor Gay Outlaw created works using neon glass, coinciding with the neon class in session at the time. Whether Outlaw will continue to incorporate neon into her work is yet to be seen, but it is programs like the Summer Artists-in-Residence which keep Pilchuck at the forefront of the dynamic glass field.

“PONCHO is very important for Pilchuck,” said Katherine Cardinal, Pilchuck Development Director. ““We value the enduring relationship we have with a partner that supports creativity through our programs, especially the Summer Artists-in-Residence program.”

Visit www.pilchuck.com for further information. Photo Credit: Russell Johnson