It's part of us giving back...ends midnight tonight... (Our gratitude to USA and all of you is endless!) ***Reception celebrating our USA Fellowship Award at our Door County Studio, Sunday, May 27 12-5pm. ***Our new website, (thanks to USA!) is now live!  MartinezStudio.com

Dear Friends,

As many of you know, Wence and I received a 2018 USA Fellowship in Crafts last January, and recently went to an Assembly in Chicago hosted by United States Artists in celebration of our amazing class of Fellows! As we’ve come to learn more about this organization, it has been a goal of ours to advocate for expanding USA’s audience and introducing others to a cause we believe is incredibly important. I’m delighted to share that USA will be taking part in the upcoming #ILGiveCommunity day created by Forefront to empower individuals to create change in their communities by supporting local nonprofits throughout Illinois. This year, #ILGiveCommunity will kick off at midnight on Thursday, May 3rd and will run online for 24 hours. I hope you will take a look at some of the terrific organizations participating and consider making a donation in the spirit of the day.

Please help USA reach their goal of $1,500, which will be 100% matched by a generous contribution from Patricia Cox. More about USA: USA is a national organization headquartered in Chicago that directs $50,000 unrestricted fellowships to individual artists across the country. Since the first Fellowships in 2006, many leading arts patrons and funders have helped USA award nearly $25 million to artists in 49 states and Puerto Rico. Believing in the fundamental value and unique contributions artists make in our society, I invite you to join in investing in the most compelling artists of our time by making a gift to United States Artists. We are stunned and grateful to be welcomed into this Fellowship. Sandra and Wence Check the link below for a great video on USA. When the NEA stopped giving grants to most individual artists, a group of women led organizations decided to find and fund another way.  On their site, you can search for Fellows past and present by field and be as astounded as we are by the depth and breadth of the artists they support. Thanks for taking a look!

—Sandra & Wence