Every year the Sale and Exhibit features a Mala Project, usually a community

undertaking of volunteers, students, and professionals who create 108 objects–

beads, mugs, cups, bowls, or origami storks – in honor of the Asian spiritual

practice known in Sanskrit as japa.

The number 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and in

many Eastern religions, representing the universe or higher Truth as one thing

(1), emptiness or completeness in spiritual practice (0) and everything (8, or

infinity). There are said to be 108 Indian goddess names and 108 Upanishads.

The diameter of the Sun is 108 times the diameter of the Earth; the distance from

the Sun to the Earth is 108 times the diameter of the Sun. There are a total of 108

energy lines converging to form the heart chakra, which leads to the crown

chakra, and is said to be the path to Self-realization. So everywhere you turn,

there's 108.

This year, the Will Flores family of volunteers will team up with the South

Broadway Art Project to create pinch bowls for the Mala Project which the

SBAP apprentices will then glaze and fire. Sale proceeds will benefit area food

pantries.

The Will Flores Fund May 2019 Newsletter

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~The Wm. A. Kerr Foundation

St. Louis, Missouri 63102

The Wilson Scholarship grants unrestricted funds to deserving ceramics students in the St. Louis area.

We are pleased to announce the Wilson Scholarship recipients for the 2018 - 2019 school year who have

contributed these pieces to the sale.

Amanda Rhoads (left) and Brian Hogan (below) Forest Park Community College

In 2013, in a similar community project, Big Bend Yoga

Center members, overseen by Tim Daly, created bowls

for the Mala Project .

Totems, textile hangings, scrolls, prints, paintings, photographs, ceramics, scarves,

sculpture, light designs, collages, jewelry—

more than 35 talented local artists donated last year.

We are always seeking artists to participate in this fund raiser by donating their art.

We focus on small pieces of art in the $25 to $100 price range.

Our deadline for donations is September 9, 2019

Contact christopher108@att.net if you or a fellow artist would like to participate.

The Mission Statement of

The Will Flores Fund

To utilize the resources of the artistic community; to underwrite programming

and assist the disadvantaged and disabled; to provide mentoring,

inspiration and funding for children’s art programs and activities. ~~

BOARD OF DIRECTORS~~ DOUG ANDERSON,

CHRISTOPHER SCHULTE, KIM SINDEL AND CATHY VOGEL

We sell real art at prices real people can afford to help real people in need. Thanks to our generous artists and supporters, last year’s sale and contributions enabled

the Fund to grant more than $ 16,000 to benefit two Wilson Scholars, 16 community

organizations and 11 local food pantries.

Scenes from the 2018 Show and Sale

Here are some of them:

Immigrant Refugee Women’s Program~~ “ We could not do the work we do without your support.. .to provide materials and

training for new volunteers and students entering our program.”

Under the Same Tree~~~ “It means so much to us that you believe in our program and in empowering the most vulnerable.”

Bilingual International Assistant Services~~ “ Words cannot adequately express our appreciation to the Will Flores Fund for

providing our Chinese, Nepali, Bosnian, Albanian, Vietnamese, African, Russian, and native-born seniors... with the support which

helped pay for: 135 meals, tangerines and chocolate candy, and...personnel expenses... .”

Foster Adoption Support Team~~ “Your timing was perfect!... to make this holiday very special for our kids.”

Perennial Community Workshop ~~ “ It’s through your support that we can continue to empower our community to see

discarded items as a resource for their homes and lives.”

Home Works!~~ “ This donation will pay teachers to make 20 home visits, and each visit has an enormous ripple effect.”

Gateway dance Conservatory~~ “ Your donation has made such a wonderful impact....We were able to give scholarships and

purchase costumes with the grant. You guys are amazing!”

Living Arts/VSA Missouri~~ “ The Living Arts Studio works with women in the Baden House ... one of 5 houses... that provide

support to individuals transitioning out of homelessness.... With the support of the Will Flores Fund we have been able to make sure

that ...the women are able to participate on a weekly basis.”

SAGE of PROMO~~ “ Your generous financial assistance will further our state-wide efforts to provide service and advocacy for

LGBTQ older adult Missourians.”

City Garden Montessori School~~ “ Thank you for your generous donation ...for our Art programming. Your support...makes a

tremendous difference in the lives of our students and our community.”

Operation Food Search~~ “ Your generosity ensures that children have the food that they need to grow up strong and succeed

in the classroom ... [by providing] a backpack full of food each Friday throughout the school year.”

Hawthorne Leadership School for Girls~~ “ ....[T]hank you for your recent donation...to support our after -school arts program.”

Jim Brainard and the

kids making hat art

Za Goodbrake violin Carol Eder guitar

The Will Flores Fund is a Missouri 501(c)(3) tax exempt corporation and

donates more than 90% of its net sales to deserving community organizations.

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 DEADLINE

FOR GRANT APPLICATIONS Community Organizations are encouraged to submit

applications for funding for 2020. Applications and information are available at www.willfloresfund.org.

Applications must be post-marked or delivered by November 1, 2019.

Questions? Contact Christopher@willfloresfund.org

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Photos courtesy of Karen Elshout and Imani Martinez

Above—The sales volunteers gearing up.

Left—David Spruill, Jason Bishop’s associate, serving hors

d’oeuvres. Jason has donated to the Show for eight years.