'Tis the Season, Help Us Improve Our 2011 Programs by Donating to TMtB!

Hello all,

The holidays are upon us, and the spirit of joy is near. Please spread a little holiday cheer by donating to Today Marks the Beginning; all donations make the world of difference! As we enter 2011, we have big plans for our MasterPEACE program and need a little help from the community to help spread our mission of impacting the public through art about several social issues that affect many across the Dallas community and the world. Thanks for all you have done for us; we look forward to your continued support!

Congratulations Karen Blessen!

MasterMinds: Matthew Posey, Joel Hester and Karen Blessen Are Winners in Our Inaugural Creativity Award! http://www.dallasobserver.com/

Artists will make art even if they don't make money. With a few dollars, however, they can make more art, bigger art and even take some time to teach others how to make art.

Party with TMtB, La Mode & Eventbrite!

Today Marks the Beginning is excited to partner with Eventbrite DFW (http://facebook.com/BriteDFW) and LaMode Dallas (http://www.lamodedallas.com) for Art Party 2010, an amazing night showcasing the most creative local designers and stylists as they take fashion, hair, and makeup to their creative limits. Join us for one of Dallas' most creative nights as local models light up the runway with these innovative styles. Enjoy music by DJ Jason Esquire, a live performance by Kirk Thurmond, and a live art show with ArtLoveMagic and Veritas.

Tickets are $15 and include an open beer, wine, and champagne bar featuring Texas' finest, lite bites and sweet treats by Nib Chocolates and lots more. Proceeds from the show benefit Today Marks the Beginning and this is going to be a night Dallas won't soon forget. Come join us and support the arts in DFW!

http://artparty2010-TodayMarks.eventbrite.com
Art Party: Life as Canvas
When: 11.11.2010
Where: Life in Deep Ellum, 2803 Taylor St., Dallas, TX, 75226
Time: 8 pm - 12 am
Cost: $15 at the door

Karen Blessen Mastermind Award!

Karen Blessen, artist and co-founder of Today Marks the Beginning, is a finalist in the Observer Masterminds Awards. You can read about her accomplishments and the learn about the other finalists by going to:

Dallas Observer Names Nine Dallas Artists as Finalists in Its First Annual Masterminds Award
www.dallasobserver.com

WE ARE SO PROUD AND HAPPY FOR KAREN!

Art Con Awards Today Marks the Beginning

The art, the music, the party, the people of Art Conspiracy; ALL were stellar on October 23 and Today Marks the Beginning was the beneficiary. This was the biggest Art Con ever. Drum roll......are you ready?! The Art Conspiracy event raised $30,000 for the TMtB program, MasterPEACE! There are more details to come. Right now, we are just blown away by such a generous gift. THANK YOU!

Learn more about Art Conspiracy's street level philanthropy: www.artconspiracy.org

WHoooHOOOOO!

Jerome Weeks Interviews Karen Blessen

http://artandseek.net/2010/10/15/artseek-on-think-tv-karen-blessen-from-today-marks-the-beginning/

Karen talks about Today Marks the Beginning, MasterPEACE and more.

Nominate Us For the 2010 Mashable Awards

Help us become the "Must-follow" Non-profit of 2010!

Art Conspiracy Fundraiser for TMtB!

The best party in town just got better! Today Marks the Beginning is this year's Art Conspiracy beneficiary. Art Conspiracy 6, will be held on October 23rd at 511 West Commerce in Dallas. This year’s Art Conspiracy will be hosted by KXT-FM’s Paul Slavens, will feature live music from Ishi, Seryn and Dem Southernfolkz, dynamic stage design from Edward Ruiz and Courtney Miles and art from 150 area artists. "People from all parts of the community pool their talents to transform a warehouse into a temporary art gallery/concert venue,” said Erik Glissmann, Executive Director, Art Conspiracy.
Money raised at Art Conspiracy event will be donated to Today Marks the Beginning. Students participating in TMtB’s MasterPEACE: Young Artists Making a Kinder World classes will be contributing some artwork for auction during the Art Conspiracy event.
More details to come. TMtB is honored and thrilled to be the 2010 beneficary. Thank you! Labels: 2010, art conspiracy, fundraiser

TMtB Participates in Macy's Shop for a Cause Program!

Today Marks the Beginning (TMtB) is participating in this year's Macy's Shop for a Cause program! Tickets are being sold by TMtB and Macy stores across the country for $5. For every ticket you purchase you can save 10-20 percent on selected items on the October 16! You can contact Today Marks the Beginning (info@todaymarksthebeginning.org ) directly to purchase your Shop For A Cause ticket. Thanks for all of your help and support for us!


Please share with your friends and family!

Michelle Obama and the Arts

Michelle Obama “The arts can enrich all of us in this nation as individuals. The arts can enrich all of our communities and the country. And the arts can connect us to each other like nothing else can.”

Arts as a Cause for Hope www.whitehouse.gov First Lady Michelle Obama and Russian First Lady Svetlana Medvedev enjoyed a music and dance program at the Duke Ellington School for the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Join us at the Art Conspiracy SEED event July 16, 7 pm, Sons of Herman Hall, Dallas. Great bands - music and art. Art Conspiracy uses "street level philanthropy" to raise money for non-profit groups. www.artconspiracy.org Today Marks the Beginning (TMtB) is honored to be this year's beneficiary. We use art to impact public awareness of social issues through a diverse range of projects and programs. www.todaymarksthebeginning.org

Art Conspiracy Events & TMtB

This year’s Art Conspiracy will benefit Today Marks the Beginning! On Friday, July 16th at 7:00 p.m. Art Conspiracy will host SEED, its annual operational fundraiser at the Sons of Herman Hall located at 3414 Elm Street in Dallas.

This year’s SEED will feature clocks created by 30 local artists. The hands and the plywood have been provided, but each artist has the chance to modify, construct or deconstruct the clocks in the way they’d like. In Art Conspiracy fashion, the clocks will be auctioned off live. The starting bid for each piece is $20.

The event will feature music from The Cocky Americans, Jacob Metcalf and Johnny Beauford and will be hosted by Reid Robinson.
The money raised during the SEED event will be used to fund the operating costs associated with Art Conspiracy’s large scale 2010 fundraiser.

TMtB & Art Conspiracy

Today Marks the Beginning is this year's recipient of the Art Conspiracy Grant! We are thrilled as you can imagine. There is far more to come. But for now open the link, scroll down a bit AND ENJOY!
http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/2010/06/planting_the_seed_for_art_cons.php

Vote for Us for the Chase Community Giving Program on Facebook!

For the children of darfur - children making art

Be amazed and inspired: watch the 7 minute video by John Katz of the children at LL Hotchkiss creatng shadowbox art. Children from around the world, many in the US for only a few weeks, created art reflecting what they would do for the children of Darfur, "If I Were a Great Peacemaker". World leaders take note. This link will take you to our You Tube channel to watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knvIwoOIvE8 Please send it to your friends, too.

The Influence Project Pushes For Peace | Advocate Magazine

The Influence Project Pushes For Peace | Advocate Magazine

Today Marks the Beginning and Irma Rangel Students featured in Pegasus News

Check out this story and video of Ana Vaquera from Irma Rangel who was inspired by Today Marks the Beginning "INFLUENCE" project to go to Minyards in Dallas to hang up her "peace" artwork! Link: http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2010/may/13/video-irma-rangel-influence/?refscroll=362

Dallas Morning News ISD Blog

Read the article about Karen Blessen leading the girl's at Irma Rangel in creating posters to "Influence Peace". These young women then persuaded business owners to post them!

TMtB kids Art for Darfur

Karen Blessen and Barbara Miller, co-founders of Today Marks the Beginning, talk to the art preview audience at SMU about the shadow box art kids from LL Hotchkiss created for the Art for Darfur Art Auction. Sweet & funny story. Pink...the universal girl color!

Art for Darfur

TMtB supports ART FOR DARFUR: Art Auction and Benefit. Saurday, April 17 at Owens Art Center, Bishop Blvd., SMU. Bidding starts at 6:00 pm and ends at 7:30 pm. Art for Darfur benefits Darfur Peace and Development (DPDO). TMtB's Karen Blessen facilitated a special art program for a group of refugee school children at Hotchkiss Elementary. The children are adding their support and artistry for the children of Darfur through their shadowbox art which will be on sale at the event, too. John Katz's four-minute film of the Hotchkiss kids' wishes for the children of Darfur will be screened at the event.

A Million & One Ways to Follow TMtB

Why? The question a lot of people ask who haven't experienced Twitter. Twitter is a quick update on what's happening with TMtB and all the other related art, peace and social justice organizations we follow. Twitter creates a streamlined local and global e-community of like-mided people. You can learn about Today Marks the Beginning (TMtB) in a variety of ways.

You think you know TMtB? Find out more www.twitter.com/todaybeginart

"INFLUENCE" lesson spreading throughout Dallas!

Irma Rangel and Today Marks the Beginning have collaborated to spread the message of peace through TMtB's project "INFLUENCE" lesson. The students from Irma Rangel are traveling throughout Dallas persuading business owners, churches, etc. to hang up their artwork to inspire others to make peaceful actions and choices.

Check it out: http://masterpeaceinfluence.blogspot.com/

Get Inspired By Our Compelling Projects!