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"Never hide your talent"

  "This is my 6th year working with the program. It gets better every year. There is great pleasure in watching the children progress year after year. Each year new people enter and some past entrants don't, making for a fresh and vital mix of work and always an interesting exhibit.
  
  For example, this year a new employee (Linda Brazaitis, Parks & Recreation) entered for the first time and won second place in the amateur classification. She was so happy that her work was hanging next to Mary Paynter's (first place, professional, relative, Cultural & Heritage) who had inspired her to make art while she was a full-time caregiver for her mother who had Alzheimer's disease. Mary taught Linda about proportion and drawing and Mary did a portrait of Linda's mother through the county's "Care for Caregivers" Art as Respite program. Linda was inspired to believe in herself as an artist and became interested in photography. Now her work is acknowledged before her coworkers through The National Arts Program, and her confidence in herself as a photographer has blossomed."

Libby Reid, Arts Coordinator, Union County Division of Cultural & Heritage Affairs, Union, NJ, June 2007

  "When I first discovered The National Arts Program Foundation about five years ago, I couldn't believe it. I kept wondering what the catch was and when I'd have to fill out some tedious application. The NAP staff has been great to work with - VERY ENCOURAGING. We've had great fun bringing the program to Orange County and introducing it to other governmental agencies in the Orlando area.
  
  It has been a bridge between our work lives and our home lives. This year's Employee Chair first entered a photograph a few years ago and won a prize. Next he involved his kids in creating some works of art and in volunteering. Now he's heading up the program. Our Mayor's wife and a Commissioner's spouse have served as the Honorary Co-Chairs on the "family" side for the last few years and it is now something that people look forward to each year.
  
  Last year one spouse of an employee won a first place ribbon and from that got the courage to pursue being an artist full-time. Since then she has had a show of her own in town and pieces in other exhibitions as well.
  
  THANK YOU NAP for providing the impetus and means to have this great employee program in Orange County!"

Terry Olson, Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs, Orlando, FL, June 2007

  "Partnering with The National Arts Program Foundation was an amazing experience. They are a group of dedicated professionals that were solely focused on making the '1st Annual Atlantic Health Family Art Exhibition: Passion through Art' a success for every one of us. This was our first ever system wide employee and family art exhibition and my first undertaking of such an event, but thanks to the guidance and support of NAP, the exhibition was a huge success and a connecting element between various areas within our hospital system. Without the structure and continuous support from NAP, I believe that this exhibition would not have been possible; their materials were easy to use, and their website clearly explained how it all worked.
  
  Our employees can hardly wait for the exhibition next year, and some have already started planning their pieces. NAP added a level of professionalism to the exhibition, and as a result our hospital system is currently planning to exhibit the artwork of employees and their family members year round - realizing that celebrating the arts heals all of us. A big thank you to NAP! You started a wonderful tradition at Atlantic Health."

Maria Regina Lupo, MFA, Art Therapist, Creative Art Therapies Coordinator, Atlantic Integrative Medicine, July 2007

  "The National Arts Program does what cities hope to do at their best ... create community through honoring the individual, bringing them together and celebrating who we are as a whole! The breath of artistic expression in this exhibition is so exciting and the range of expertise is unique. One artist noted that it is great to have young artists showing their work next to professional artists. This sort of experience at a young age can have a great impact and is very encouraging.
  
  Each year I coordinate this exhibition and competition I am rewarded with such rich experiences. This year an elementary school teacher, Laurie Burkhart, brought in 22 of her students' work. Those students are so fortunate to have a teacher who cares about providing creative experiences and making the extra effort to give them the experience of sharing that work. Quite a few of the students were awarded scholarships and they were thrilled. Another young artist who won second place was surrounded by 7-10 family members at the reception. It was heart warming to see their joy and support for her accomplishments and the very proud expression on her face!
  
  I thank the National Arts Program Foundation for providing these very simple but valuable experiences to so many people across the country. It really does matter."

Vicky Kumpfer, Arts Coordinator, Santa Rosa Recreation and Parks Department, July 2007

  "The National Arts ProgramŽ and Orlando International Airport is an outstanding partnership. The annual program has been enthusiastically embraced by the airport community, employees and their families as well as the traveling public.
  
   The memorable moments coordinating the events are too numerous to list, but the experiences have truly enriched my life.
  
   The stories from the artists about their entry, the volunteers calling to assist; the interaction between the various airport entities and the overall pride and excitement shown by the airport community has made it a pleasure to be the Coordinator of this event for the past two years."

Janet Scovic, Arts and Publication Administrator, Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, Orlando International Airport, Orlando, FL, September 2007

  "I want to thank the Board of Directors and Staff at The National Arts Program Foundation for accepting our Healthcare Center into their family of presenters.
  
   This was our first year participating in the program. The hospital administration, staff and their family members embraced this endeavor wholeheartedly. We had over 200 entries for our first annual exhibition/competition. I received so many compliments and kudos for bringing this event to our institution. The Vice President of Professional Services said, 'you hit a home run with this one.' There are five galleries in the hospital complex and we host over 60 art exhibits by local and regional professional artists each year, however, many employees said, 'This was the best exhibit ever.' I could go on and on about the ease of the application process, employee satisfaction, The NAP's wonderful staff and their helpfulness (they treated me like I was their only client).
  
   I encourage any entity that is eligible to make application for inclusion, you'll be glad you did."

Philip Muzi Branch, Director of Cultural Programs, VCU Health System, Richmond, VA, August 2006

  "The City and County of Honolulu covers the entire island of Oahu and having the NAP Exhibit at city hall, formally know as Honolulu Hale, brought employees and their families together under one roof. The entrants, from many city departments, would normally never interact given the geographical size of the city and the diversity of departments. Coming together they all shared one commonality, art. The exhibit was well received and we already have much interest for the next exhibit."

E. Tory Laitila, Registrar, Mayor's Office of Culture & the Arts, City of Honolulu, HI September 2006

  "As a first-timer I have to say that I heartily agree with all of these testimonials.
  
  Our 4th Floor Gallery at City Hall is year-round home to changing themed exhibits from a local collective of professional artists, but it took The National Arts ProgramŽ exhibit to fill the space with excited spectators on a daily basis.
  
  Both the Mayor and City Manager echoed the general consensus that 'this is the best show we've ever had here.' I've never seen the staff so excited, and I'm tremendously proud, not only of the participating artists, but also of the enthusiastic support they've received from the rest of our city family. 'Can we keep this show up all year?' someone asked me.
  
  Thank you for giving us the opportunity to let ourselves shine."

Gary Farmer, Cultural Affairs Program Manager, Miami Beach Tourism and Cultural Development, August 2006

  "I am proud of our employees for putting themselves out there and sharing their work for all to see during our First Annual NAP Exhibition. I was pleased with the number of participants but am overwhelmed by the positive response of the public as they browse through the display area and enjoy the artwork."

Kim Ward, Healing Arts Program Coordinator, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, August 2007