Alex Orantes art show and solidarity request

Cielo Azul has received great news that Alex Orantes has been invited to do a one man show of his paintings in December in the turn of the century Santa Ana Theater adjacent to the City Hall in the city's main square.

Alex writes of his excitement and his concern: "I have some problems and wanted to ask for solidarity from all of you. To make my show I need to buy brushes, acrylic and oil paints, spray fixative, linseed oil and turpentine. I need to buy canvas for the paintings paintings that I need to paint; and more complicated, I need to frame each of the paintings that will be exhibited.... As you all know, I have had rheumatoid arthritis for maybe 20 years and each year makes it somewhat harder for me to work because of the continual, permanent pain. But I see in art my best future. (My dream would be to have a drawing and painting workshop where I can paint, exhibit and teach drawing and painting to children and adolescents with limited resources; but to do that I need an investment that is presently out of my reach.) Returning to the theme of the exhibition in December, frankly I am not in a position to do this alone, I ask for your cooperation and solidarity in order to make this my dream."

You can help Cielo Azul to support Alex. Go to the Cielo Azul Fund http://cieloazulfund.blogspot.com/ to donate.

Ruth Orantes sabbatical hosted by Cielo Azul and The Simple Way

For updates and photos about Ruth Orantes' sabbatical during Sept and Oct, be sure to "like" the Cielo Azul facebook page at www.facebook.com/friends.cielo.azul.

Ruth began her sabbatical with a warm welcome from many friends in Philadelphia, including Shane Claiborne from The Simple Way.