Dear Friends,

The LINK students have had a creative year and I would like to invite you their Art Show at ART's on Feb. 20, 2010 at 6:00-8:00. If you can't stop by to check out their work, please help out by forwarding this e-mail to all your friends, post it on your FB or Twitter. Last year's art show was at Ray at Night so we had the foot traffic, the new location depends your help to get the word out.

This is my third year as the AIGA San Diego LINK director and I am thankful to have an opportunity to give back to the community. LINK reaches out to at risk youth and I believe all of today's youths are at-risk of losing art with all the budget cuts. The LINK program provides free art workshops for 14-19 year old students with an interest in pursuing a career in graphic design, photography and art.

LINK's most recent success story..... last summer I took a few students to San Fransisco for the day to see Academy of Art. Two of our students signed up for their summer three week high school program. LINK provided a scholarship to pay for their housing, tuition and meals. I received a call last week and one of the students and told me that he just started classes at Academy of Art. He mentioned that his involvement in the LINK program has made a positive impact on his life. Know that's the good stuff!

A special thanks to Candice Lopez for having the vision over 11 years ago to start LINK, Tony Battaito for his continuous support, the mentors that keep coming back to help make it happen and David Combs, the art show curator (he has been working hard). Oh, yeah and the Coyne Foundation for the funding.


Hope to see you there,

Sondra Lagnado
AIGA Link Director