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Dear Artist Friends,

Greetings from Thunderbird Artists! We felt it was time for a heart to heart newsletter – we have felt the economy these last few years along with the artists, communities and our entire country. As such, Denise and I felt it was important to let the artists know we have never compromised our advertising campaign or quality of our jury. We would rather have a few open spaces in a show, then to betray our standards for financial gain. After hearing stories about some highly respected shows compromising their quality, we felt compelled to share that Thunderbird Artists continues to jury with unwavering standards, paralleled with our continued extensive advertising and promotional campaigns.

Sales for the 2011-12 season were up, over the last four years, and our housing market is showing signs of recovery in more upscale neighborhoods. Traffic increased as well and our reputation continues to intensify.

Last season we produced a program guide that was very successful and has now become an annual publication, which we feel aided in our increased traffic and sales. We have had a couple location changes and, because of the success of our new Scottsdale Waterfront show in February, we are moving our Talking Stick events to the Waterfront. The city of Surprise requested we return to the west valley, as well as our patrons and the artists.

Every year, changes are made to our ad campaign to continue reaching our upscale clientele. We are truly excited about the U.S. Airlines In-Flight magazine ad. Their circulation is 303,466 and with all the passenger flights, their readership is actually 3.1 million (from just one ad). Some other magazines include Architectural Digest, Cowboys & Indians, Arizona Highways, Air Canada In-Flight Magazine, Western Art & Architecture, the Robb Report and more.

Thunderbird Artists has partnered with the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, City of Surprise and working in-kind trade with the PGA during our Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival in November.

Thunderbird Artists takes the artists livelihood very seriously and sincerely deliberates all options before making any decisions regarding advertising and quality of jury because we know the artists need to put food on their tables and support their families. We have a motto that has not changed over all these years which is “We don’t want to make money off the artists, but with the artists”.

Thunderbird Artists believe it is very important to give back to the communities and charities. This season festival admission is $5.00 and, because we strongly support American veterans, we are donating $1.00 from every admission ticket (every festival) to the non-profit charity, 501c3, American Healing Arts Foundation. We are donating an additional $1.00 from each admission ticket to other non-profit charities, such as; Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, Sunset Kiwanis of Fountain Hills and the Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, 25% of gross wine ticket sales are donated to the wine hosting charities; Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce, Scottsdale Chamber of Commerce, American Healing Arts Foundation, Surprise Sundancers and Sunset Kiwanis of Fountain Hills.

Visit our website for additional festival details and applications: http://www.thunderbirdartists.com/festival-applications/

We wish you the best of luck in your remaining summer shows. Please be sure to buckle up, drive safely and pull over if you feel tired. We look forward to seeing everyone soon!

Kind regards,

Judi Combs,

President, Thunderbird Artists

Denise Dale

Vice-President, Thunderbird Artists