Blessings All, This afternoon I read one of my favorite blogs - ExVi Galleries, a wonderful art gallery in Atlanta, Georgia that features African American art. For more information, visit http://exvigalleries.blogspot.com/. The December 12th post that was written by ExVi Galleries' Founder Tina Phillips was courageous. See the excerpt below. It convinced me to give myself an early December birthday gift: an open heart that supports art at ExVi Galleries in Atlanta with a $30 PayPal donation. My donation to ExVi Galleries also reaffirmed my decision to continue supporting different causes like Gina McCauley at What About Our Daughters blog and Blogging While Brown (http://www.whataboutourdaughters.com/ and http://www.bloggingwhilebrown.com/) throughout the new year and following years with small to medium size financial donations when I can afford it. This holiday season I encourage you to find a cause or several causes that you can contribute to over the next year when you finances allow you to. Give $5, $10, $20, $30 or more to these causes. Any amount will help the cause(s) you choose to support. Excerpt from ExViGalleries' Blog that convinced me to open my heart to supporting art in Atlanta: http://exvigalleries.blogspot.com/2008/12/please-support-our-cause-... "I have been hesitant to make this post but it is very much needed to be heard.We, at ExViGalleries have had a vision to open an art gallery for over 3 years now. With the declining economic reality in our world today, it is becoming a dream even harder to reach. Not only is it difficult to get artists involved as well as investors due to the economy but it is a strain to keep basic things up and running like this blog. We have struggled even maintaining this free blog with declining funds to keep internet access paid for.We never thought we'd be in this situation, but it is a growing and actual reality for many business owners to keep their dreams alive. And we are on of them.We have had to temporarily shut down our websites, ExViGalleryOnline.com and ExpressiveVisions.com due to short fall of business and artist participation in this economy.When we started our vision to open an art gallery in 2005, it was an alive and bright vision. We gained much support from local and artists abroad interested and whom benefited from our free resources on our website. Some of those things were free advertising, free artist profile and art displays, art sales on our website and recognition from our organization for artists.We we awarded 2008 "Most Original" website from Black Web Awards and other awards alike. Many of our visitors and artists friends supported us with acquiring these awards and we have been very grateful for the support.I have interviewed over 50 artists last year for their possible spot in the gallery. Many of the artists are very disappointed of the setback with of course affects their livelihood as well.I ask all of our visitors, viewers and friends to please support this vision. We have not been able to post on this blog due to the decline of business and support.We want to make 2009 a great year and be able to provide those free services and the art gallery in coming year of 2010.If you can give from your heart and support the arts and this ethnic art gallery vision, it would be greatly appreciated." Enjoy your weekend! Peace, Creativity, and Generosity, Ananda

You need to be a member of Black Business Women Online to add comments!

Join Black Business Women Online

Email me when people reply –