Miracle Manor Mural Located at 2520 N.15th Ave.

The power of community was graciously demonstrated this past Saturday in the Miracle Manor neighborhood as the completed Miracle Manor Mural was celebrated. This great achievement clearly demonstrates the positive effects of neighbors coming together to make change in their community.

The mural was a coordinated effort between the Miracle Manor Neighborhood Association and Youth Empowerment Services Network.

On Saturday April 24, at the S & K Market,  2520 N. 15th Avenue (north of Grant Road), a dedication ceremony of this community mural was celebrated.  Guests included neighborhood residents, Council Member Karin Uhlich, Mayor Bob Walkup, and the Tucson Police Department.

Supporters include the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Lego Children’s Fund America, Pima County Attorney’s Office, PRO Neighborhoods, and the Ward III Council Office, along with other individual and business donations.

On February 6, 2010 over 50 neighborhood residents and friends participated in “community paint day,” to kick off the mural painting. Participants included children and adults of all ages, including Council Member Karin Uhlich.

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Themed “Clay, Monet, and Paper Mâché”, St. Michael’s Parish Day School will host its FIRST ANNUAL ART EXPO & AUCTION on Friday evening, April 30, from 5:30-8:00 P.M.

Art for Expo Poster Created by Libby Monthofer & Merle Cruthchfield

This show encompasses works by many local artists in a wide variety of media as well as one-of-a-kind, creative children’s pieces that will also be for sale.  Silent and Live Auctions, entertainment, refreshments, and hands-on art activities for students of all ages will be featured.

Scotty P, owner of Scotty P DJ Company, and a local performing artist will emcee the Live Auction.  Admission is free.  Contact the Development Office at 722-8478 or clongo@stmichael.net <mailto:clongo@stmichael.net> for your bidder number today.

The School will unveil the new Artist’s Heart Award. The criteria for the recipient of this award are for the artist who exemplifies the qualities of artistry, creativity, and imagination, and gives support of these ideals.  The newly formed St. Michael’s Artist’s Heart Award committee has named this year’s recipient as Ms. Diana Madaras.

Promise of Spring by Diana Madaras

Desert Spring by Diana Madaras

Diana is a successful Tucson artist, whose work has graced the cover of many publications including Tucson Lifestyle magazine several times.   She is very active in community service and her artwork has benefited many charities.  She believes in the importance of giving back and helping those who are in need.

Prickly Pear by Diana Madaras

As the recipient of this award, Ms. Madaras will sit on the St. Michael’s Artist’s Heart Award committee for one year and will be instrumental in nominating next year’s recipient. 
Diana will be honored and her works will be displayed at the April 30th Expo and Auction, however, the school will present the award to Ms. Madaras on Monday morning, May 3rd with a coffee and tea hour in the St. Michael’s Parish Center.  The public is welcome.

St. Michael’s Parish Day School was established in 1958 as a K-8 co-educational, day school offering a broad and balanced curriculum of rigorous academics, fine arts, and athletics.  Its mission is to foster the intellectual, physical, ethical, and spiritual development of its students.

If you would like more information on this event or St. Michael’s Parish Day School, please contact Christine Longo at< clongo@stmichael.net > or visit their website at < www.stmichael.net> 
520-722-8478 x213

Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN) is inviting southern Arizona artists and galleries to donate works of art to be displayed and auctioned at the Treasures for TIHAN Benefit event to support AIDS awareness and compassionate support programs for people living with HIV/AIDS.

TIHAN is the largest privately-funded provider of support services for people living with HIV/AIDS in Arizona, and their ability to provide great education and services is credited to the generous artists, galleries, and businesses that last year helped their auction raise over $89,000—which is one-third of their entire year’s budget.

This year TIHAN says the need is even greater.  “They are calling all compassionate artists and galleries to join them and make their auction a success by contributing art to be auctioned off at their Treasures for TIHAN Benefit, where hundreds of Tucsonans will be looking to purchase items in support of TIHAN’s programs and services.”

The organization is seeking paintings, sculptures, glass, ceramics, jewelry, leather, textiles, and other creations to be donated for the auction.  Art can be delivered to the TIHAN office, 1011 North Craycroft Road, #301, during business hours, or arrangements can be made for TIHAN to pick up donated items.

The deadline is April 30 for donors to be included in the printed program.   Treasures for TIHAN is the annual live and silent auction benefiting the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN).  The 13th annual event will be held Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Doubletree Hotel at Reid Park.  All proceeds from the auction support the local work of TIHAN.

Information about donations and tickets to the event are available at www.tihan.org

In 2009, TIHAN’s volunteer-based support programs served 291 people living with HIV/AIDS.  TIHAN’s education and awareness programs reached more than 4,000 people through presentations, sermons, spoken announcements, and information tables at community events and another 36,000 through faith community bulletins and newsletters in 2009.

TIHAN’s Poz Café lunch program is the largest regular gathering place for people living with HIV/AIDS in Southern Arizona.  Since 1999, Poz Cafe has served over 12,000 meals to more than 600 people living with HIV/AIDS.  According to the AZ Dept. of Health Services, the number of people diagnosed with AIDS will outnumber the number of people living with HIV in Arizona by 2012, and more are requiring treatment and increasing the urgency of our mission.

TIHAN does not receive government funding, and counts on YOUR help to sustain their programs, which provide blessings to those in need.

For more information, visit www.tihan.org or contact Scott Blades, Executive Director, (520) 299- 6647 or scott@tihan.org.