Alexandria, VIRGINIA - October 29, 2007 -
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Empowered Women International (EWI), a nonprofitorganization
providing comprehensive art business training and support to emerging
immigrant, foreign-born, and newcomer American artists, will commemorate its 5th
anniversary with a gala celebration Tuesday, October 30, 2007, 7-9 PM at
Casablanca Restaurant, 1504 King Street in Old Town Alexandria.
EWI's community of artists, staff, volunteers, supporters,
partners, and friends will gather for a sumptuous Moroccan buffet dinner and a
special evening of celebration. The event will feature fine art and craft sales
of the EWI artists, reflections on EWI's milestone accomplishments, and
inspiration from Honored Guest Speaker, Alicia Vicentini. Entertainment includes performances of West African storytelling and Middle Eastern belly dancing.
The evening
will open with an art sale and reception. EWI artist members featured at the
art sale will be available to discuss their work and the impact of EWI programs
on their professional development. Proceeds from the art sale will benefit the
artists and EWI's entrepreneurial programs.
After the
official welcome by Executive Director Leyla Strotkamp, Founding President and
Board Co-Chair Marga Fripp will begin the program with a brief presentation on
the history of EWI and its accomplishments.
Celebrated Ethiopian artists Mekbib and Meseret Desta will speak about
the important role EWI has played in their success story.
EWI will present awards to three
artist members who have embodied excellence in 2007, in the categories of
Artist Achievement (an artist whose career has demonstrated exceptional
development through EWI services) and Outstanding Artist Volunteer.
Founding Chair Emeritus Ann E.W. Stone will also be
recognized for her five years of service.
Ms. Strotkamp will then make a special recognition of Founder Marga
Fripp for her optimistic vision and dedication that lay at the heart of the
organization.
Next will be the entertainment of
the evening provided by Her Royal Highness Princess Carroll Ayo Durodula, a
multidisciplinary artist of noble Nigerian and African-American heritages, who
will regale the guests with a story of empowerment and blessings in the West
African storytelling tradition, created especially for the occasion. She will be followed by a professional belly
dancing performance, provided by Casablanca Restaurant.
The honored guest of the event,
Alicia Vicentini, will be presented with the 2007 Evelyn LaPierre Award for
"ordinary women who do extraordinary things". Alicia is a highly accomplished,
Argentinian-born woman entrepreneur whose life and career reflect a pinnacle of
the aspirations and accomplishments that EWI artists dream and achieve in their
careers. Alicia, a vice president of business development at SSI Business
Solutions, has been spotlighted in Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the top
twenty CEOs heading the fastest growing Hispanic companies in the U.S., as well
as appearing in the Washington Post Technology section for her extensive work
for the federal government. Having attended a contemporary management program
at George Washington University, she is an avid participant in training in the
areas of executive business management, human capital, contract formation and
management, federal procurement and e-commerce.
She was featured in Washingtonian magazine as one of the "Immigrants
(who) have changed the face of Washington". This accomplished woman
entrepreneur will share her thoughts on the power of art to inspire success.
The evening will conclude with
announcements of door prizes and raffle winners, and a few words about what the
future holds for Empowered Women International after five years of hard work
and great success. The organization
works with 300 artists yearly, provides 1200 individual services in art
business training and development, and reaches over 2000 members of the public
through its arts events and outreach activities.
Empowered Women International
creates sustainable livelihoods for emerging and immigrant artists through a
holistic model of support and training, including the three-month
entrepreneurial program, Training for
Success offered twice per year; marketing, sales, and outreach services for
artists through A Woman's Story Gallery
at 1307 King Street, Alexandria; individual coaching, portfolio and business
plan review, and professional writing assistance; community arts events and
artist resources; and professional referrals and networking opportunities for
its members.
Local business sponsors of the 5th
Anniversary Celebration include Jennifer Lloyd, Arbonne Consultant, Alexandria;
Carol Supplee, Imagine Artwear, Alexandria; Joseph B Humphries, Access National Bank, Reston.
Videography will be provided by Abby Sternberg of Video Masters, Inc.
This event is made possible with
the ongoing support of the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, the Virginia
Commission for the Arts, the Washington Forrest Foundation, The Washington Post
Company, Giving Circle of Hope - Reston, and Virginia Dominion Power.
