Press Release 2003
THE JOHN E. PROFANT FOUNDATION FOR THE ARTS
3905 State Street. Suite 7-128, Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 682-8184 www.profant.org

 
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For Immediate Release Contact: Andora Hodgin
4/20/03 Phone/Fax: 805-745-8533
Photos by Hilde Keldermans andorahodgin@cox.net
                             
 


The John E. Profant Foundation For The Arts

announces

Gena Davis, Representative of The Fan Project

"Everyone Needs A Fan"

Talented Gena Davis has been chosen representative of The Fan Project, a benefit for artists scholarships presented by The John E. Profant Foundation For The Arts. Ms. Davis epitomizes, in her accomplishments and dedication, the creative spirit of The Fan Project.

Ms. Davis says: "Everyone needs a fan! I began dancing flamenco in 1996, at age 12, and have been studying with Ana Galindo ever since. She has become an incredibly important person in my life and has given me the experience of performing in professional settings throughout these last 7 years. I had the opportunity to study in Cordoba, Spain in the summer of 2001, and at the Festival Flamenco Internacional in New Mexico last summer. I hope to continue dancing into college and throughout my life. As a flamenco dancer, I have come to understand the importance of art to our communities, our world, and especially to myself. It is a universal language. I’m so excited to be a small part of such a wonderful idea—The Fan Project!"

Throughout many centuries and cultures, fans have been alluring and versatile mediums for romantic flirtation and intrigue, as well as providing a cool breeze. Fans have been carried proudly as beautiful, elegant, amusing accessories or cherished and displayed as artworks in homes and museums.

The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts invites artists and others to express their creativity in this enchanting form and to visit Art From Scrap and make fans with a huge variety of materials or choose a fan as a base. These workshops are Tuesday, April 22 from 6 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Reservations are required by email: jeprofant@aol.com.

Fans can be operable or decorative and of any media including paint on canvas, ceramic, paper, mosaic, quilt, etc. They can be large, to hang on a wall, or centerpiece size or miniature. The final deadline for entries is June 1.

 Saks Fifth Avenue will select a number of the finished fans for display during the last two weeks of July. Fans will also be displayed during the Fourth Annual Fiesta Finale at the County Courthouse on August 3. Proceeds of an auction and sale will benefit artists of all ages through The John E. Profant Foundation Scholarships in Art, Dance, Music, Theater and Literature.

The Fan Project is sponsored by Saks Fifth Avenue and The John E. Profant Foundation for the Arts. 
For additional information call (805) 682-8184 or visit www.profant.org.

Photos courtesy of Hilde Keldermans, the photographer for the Gena Davis photographs.

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