news Brandnews is published by Brand Associates, celebrating our 50th Anniversary in 2019
WINTER 2019
Brand 47: Jurying the Brand Works on Paper Who will it be in 2019? By Debra Thompson, Brand 47 Chair
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ur Annual Juried Art Exhibition is, no doubt, our organization’s biggest project of the year. Brand 47, coming up in October, 2019, will be just like the others – a logistical and fun-filled challenge. We work closely with the library staff to juggle many tasks - the call to artists, physically caring for the large variety of artworks delivered, designing and mounting the show, creating publicity, hosting the reception and awards ceremony and getting the artworks returned to their creators - or new owners if they are purchased.
The juror’s job starts with viewing digital images of the works submitted. Brand 46 saw 1,000 pieces submitted. The digital images do not reveal the artists identity or the texture and materials used; the only information given is dimensions and media, although in digital form all images appear to be the same size. From this viewing, the juror selects his/her best 80-100 artworks. Experience and viewpoint determine what is selected; we give no guidance to the juror. In 47 years, our jurors have included, curators, gallery owners, art educators, critics and artists working in a variety of media. Every show is different and unpredictable. Sometimes the juror’s choices reveal common characteristics, e.g., bold or muted colors, abstraction or figurative subject matter, pieces that telegraph a long distance or are best viewed up close. Once the chosen artworks are delivered to Brand, the juror comes in to evaluate them in person to select a Juror’s Award. The juror also helps the Brand Board of Directors choose five other award-worthy pieces.
In 2018, Edward Goldman looks at some of his selections. Since 1987 we have had only one juror per show.
Our juror attends the Brand’s lively opening reception exhibition – a party if there ever was one! The artists, in particular, enjoy meeting the juror and for some this provides a unique opportunity to discuss their art with a prominent arts professional. Over the years, our jurors have expressed their delight in the high standards maintained in the Brand gallery space and the installation of the show. The search is on for a juror for Brand 47! The opening reception is September 7, 2019 and we look forward to seeing you there!
Photo: Glendale News Press
The key to our success hinges on the choice of our juror, as – let’s face it – the choice of works determines the quality and success of the show. Since 1987, that choice has been placed in the hands of a single juror. Prior to that we either had 2 or 3 jurors working together – making the task more complex. Jurying a show of this magnitude is an honor. However, it is laborious, requiring many hours to view and evaluate hundreds of pieces of art. We provide our juror with an honorarium but, of course, jurors are rarely, if ever, motivated by the money. It is a labor of love for art, their passion for supporting working artists and their appreciation of the role played by the Brand in the cultural life of our community.
In 1971 our 2 jurors, artists Joe Mugnaini, left and John Martineau, review some of their selections with Associates members Betty Shuss and Betty Crosby.
MESSAGE from ARLENE VIDOR
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President, Brand Associates
n 1956, the Brand Library opened its doors. We have Leslie and Mary Louise Brand to thank for their generous bequest to the City of Glendale of El Miradero, their exotic mansion, and the surrounding land. Glendale wisely converted the home to a specialty library for the arts. Naturally, the community began to envision an enhancement that would lure culture-loving people from far and wide to watch and listen to the arts come alive at this magical place at the foot of the Verdugo Mountains. Fast forward to 1969: The vision was realized with a new addition built to house an art gallery and performing arts venue. Local architectural firm, Charles Walton Associates, was commissioned to design the new “Cultural Arts Center” wing of the Brand. This project inspired Walton to focus his practice on designing public libraries and other civic buildings. The firm is still based in Glendale. If you build it they will come. Anticipating the opening of the new wing, library head Jack Ramsey appointed a Citizens Dedication Committee to organize a celebration. The committee was soon brimming with enthusiasm and decided all of Glendale needed deserved the chance to help develop this unique resource. That Committee evolved into the “Associates of Brand Cultural Arts Center”. On June 17, 1969, City Council ratified the formation of the group and it began seeking its charter members. The gala event sponsored by the Associates was a glamorous black tie affair for which the ticket price was $5 per person. Fast forward to 2019: We’re gonna party like its 1969. Associates of Brand Library & Art Center (often shortened to Brand Associates) continues to sponsor dance, music, visual arts, film, workshops, and more in that 50-year-old “new” wing. Over the years, Brand Library & Art Center has become a treasured destination for both artists and art lovers across our region, with annual visitation hitting 150,000 individuals last year. We’re proud to have played a key role in helping to enrich the Brand experience for the last 5 decades. We’ll be celebrating together all year long. In October, Brand Associates will host a 50-year anniversary party for the public to commemorate our original gala opening of the art center wing and the formation of the Brand Associates…and of course, the suggested donation to attend will be $5. We have a banner year of great collections, art, music, and cultural activities planned and we look forward to seeing all of you very soon.
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT
Arlene Vidor VICE PRESIDENT
Tammy O’Connor SECRETARY
Debra Thompson TREASURER
Mary Jamora Debra Burchett-Lere (Membership Director)
Simon Wright ADVISORY
Jamie Nichols Dance Curator
NEWSLETTER LAYOUT
Judy Walker
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The 46th National Juried Art Exhibition was successful on many levels!
opular KCRW art critic Edward Goldman served as our juror for Brand 46 in the autumn of 2019. He selected 92 works of art from over 1,000 submitted. We thank all the submitting artists – whether or not their work was selected – because submission fees are used to support gallery events. This year’s
sales of artwork did not disappoint. The Brand Associates 25% commission on sales (also utilized to support the gallery) resulted in $1,631 from 16 artworks sold. Brand 46 began with our special private opening event, called “Paper preVIEW”, for ticketed members and guests. This event, held immediately prior to the public
opening, is an opportunity to support the Associates, meet the artists and our juror and see the show in a relaxed and intimate setting. This year we will move our awards ceremony for artists to the Paper preVIEW event. Congratulations to the Brand 46 Award Winners!
Robert Brown Award—($1000) Lawrence Hughes Self-Portrait with Fading Cross and Setting Sun Unique woodblock print
Juror’s Award—($1200) Kamal Al Mansour Altered State(s), Mixed media assemblage on canvas
Brand Associates Award— ($500) Alexander Kritselis “People of Glow and Sorrow”/ Onto new grounds Acrylic on velum paper
Brand Associates Award—($500) Gail Postal Betty, Graphite, oil and acrylic paint on paper
Brand Associates Award— ($500) Andrea Kraybill Land of Honey Gold Leaf on watercolor paper mounted to wood panel
Jane Friend Award—($1000) J. Fredric May Author’s Hallucination No. 3 “Les” Photograph, unique print
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The Brand Associates Receives a Grant from the Community Foundation of the Verdugos By Tammy O’Connor
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he Brand Associates is delighted to announce the receipt of a $5,000 grant from the Community Foundation of the Verdugos (CFV). This will enable us to ‘rebrand’ by refreshing our graphic identity and improving our website. As you know, the Brand Library’s increasing popularity has resulted in demand for ever greater world-class cultural programming, offered free to the public. The Brand Associates must continue to enhance support of these programs by increasing our funds through membership and donations. The generous grant will
Customer Appreciation Celebration & Technology Open House
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help us achieve our marketing goals - especially important as we celebrate our 50th year in 2019 “We are proud to assist Brand Associates in this project that paves the way for a stronger arts and cultural programming presence in the region,” said Edna Karinski, CFV CEO. “The Foundation recognizes the positive impact that art brings to all and looks forward to the Brand Associates’ continued growth.” Thank you, CFV!
In the Gallery: Vallery Girl Redefined on View Through March 22
ome celebrate the full spectrum of tech access, tools and services—all available for FREE with your library card. Don’t have a Glendale Library card? No problem! We will offer library card sign-ups on the spot and grant you access to countless FREE resources you have been missing out on, like eBooks and audiobooks, online music, learning courses, foreign language learning, digital comics, and movie streaming. Services & Tools •
Mobile hot spots
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Updated self-check out
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Loanable Ipads
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Niche Academy Training tools
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KIC scanning & copying
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Mobile printing
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Online computer reservations
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Online fee payments
All eight Glendale Libraries will be hosting live demonstrations for visitors wishing to learn how to use library services and tools available at each library location and online 24/7. Open House: Wednesday, January 30, 2019, 4-7pm.
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“Lifted” by Erin Stone
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rand Library & Art Center and 11:11 A Creative Collective are pleased to present Valley Girl Redefined, an expansive group exhibition of women who are redefining the meaning of “Valley Girl” as we have come to know it over the past few decades. The Valley Girl of the San Fernando Valley itself, cannot be contained in any one stereotype as you will see. The concept has always been informed by the cinematic ideal imposed on us. It has left an indelible mark of global identity on womanhood that only represents a small minority. The exhibition endeavors to look past the myopic lens of popular culture that created the Valley Girl and delves into the true identities and diversity of women in The Valley through the contemporary artwork they produce. The exhibition includes a pop-up Valley Girl Newsstand presented by San Fernando Valley Zine Fest featuring SFV and female-centric zines. The exhibition is open during regular library hours.
DANCE SERIES
April 27: FUSE Dance Company blends contemporary dance with power and athleticism.
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he Brand Associates Dance Series will return this spring with three exciting performances! The series will feature three top dance companies based in Southern California. The ensembles will perform site specific work in non-traditional performance spaces around Brand Library. Audiences will move through the performance spaces and select their own vantage points from which to view the dancers. All performances are on Saturdays and begin at 6 pm.
May 11: Grayscale explores the intimate connection between movement and the musical score by creating movement that is beautiful and peculiar all at once.
May 18: Versa-Style Dance Company creates an energetic fusion of culturally significant dance forms. Their repertory reflects the roots, history, and social and political issues surrounding the art of L.A.’s youth.
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Music! Music! Music! By Caley Canon, Library Supervisor
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he Brand Associates Music series is 50 years old – an initiative the organization took right at their very beginnings. We kicked off our January 26 at 2pm with ACE Trio – called a “Musical Tour de Force” by the Mountaineer Progress Newspaper. The following ensembles complete the schedule. All performances are on Saturdays at 2 pm:
March 9: Christina Montes Mateo, award-winning harpist, will perform Spanish music. February 9: Lobo Ensemble consists of oboist Catherine Del On January 30: Kicking off the music
Russo, violinist Jacqueline Suzuki
series with ACE Trio
and cellist Jeness Johnson.
March 23: Eclipse Quartet will perform music of living composers from Cambodia, Mexico, Finland and the United States.
May 4: Vicki Ray, is a founding member of Piano Spheres, a series dedicated to less familiar music of the solo piano.
June 1: Marina Manukian & Gayane Simonyan, violinist and pianist, perform.
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All Brand 46 photos: Graeme Whifler
Brand Works on Paper Exhibition Opening Reception “Brand 46”
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Jean Simone resigns from the Board of Directors
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e are very sad to report that Jean Simone has resigned from the Board of Directors after serving 2 1/2 terms. Jean has brought a wealth of creative experience to the Board as manager of our Robert Brown and Mary Owens art collections, having mounted a temporary gallery in downtown Glendale and a special estate sale of the Mary Owens collection. Jean coordinated our gala for the grand reopening of the newly restored Brand Library in 2014. She and her husband Edgardo hosted our first “Glendale Collects” in-home fundraiser and auction, which set a high bar for future events. She came up with the idea of hosting a ticketed preview event prior to our annual Works on Paper public opening reception that she co-hosted with board member Simon Wright, now going into its 4th year. Whenever Jean has been involved it an event, things always look great a reflection of her professional set designer expertise. Jean will be missed on the Board but she has promised us she will stay active in the organization.
Brand Associates Members! Save these Dates More info will be coming your way. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 8:00 pm Member Night at Antaeus Theatre Company. “The Cripple of Inishmaan” with a reception in the theatre Library from 6:30 to 7:45 pm. Discount tickets will be available for members
SATURDAY, MARCH 23, 11 am Associates Art Wanderings: The Marciano Foundation Meet at the Foundation on Wilshire Blvd at 11 am for a guided tour Lunch at Twist Café, on site at the Foundation Limited to first 15 members, car pooling or Uber/Lyft encouraged
Antaeus Theatre Company presents theatre classics, from ancient to modern. The theatre is located on Broadway in Glendale.
QUESTIONS AND RSVPs to debra@associatesofbrand.org Members tour the L.A. Mural District, one of many field trips we have sponsored.
The Marciano Art Foundation shares the family’s diverse art col-
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lection with the public in their Wilshire Blvd. home.
Holiday Open House
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n December 8 and 15, the Brand Associates and Brand Library & Art Center celebrated the holiday season in partnership with The Glendale Historical Society and Doctor’s House Museum. The two nights of festivities included holiday crafts for families, sweet treats and snacks, and live musical performances by Frank Potenza (Jazz Guitar) and Hee Jin Yoon and Ko-Ni Choi (Harpists, Duo Gliss). Wishing you and your loved ones a New Year filled with good health and happiness!
At our holiday open house Duo Gliss allowed audience members to get a closer look at their instruments.
Above: Acclaimed Jazz guitarist Frank Potenza talking to the open house audience. Below: Visitors got to make their own art.
Duo Gliss relaxes the audience with some heavenly harp.
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Brand Associates Members, you’re as good as gold! By Debra Burchett-Lere, Membership Chair
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embers, Happy 50th Anniversary. You are golden. We proudly list all our members on the accompanying roster, with call-outs to our very loyal long term supporters. In the last three months of the year we added 52 new members so momentum is up and we want to continue this level of energy during our anniversary celebration. Perks. Last year we formed 2 partnerships with the Alex Film Society and Antaeus Theatre Company here in Glendale. If you have not received the special discount codes for the Alex and Antaeus please email DebraBL@associatesofbrand.org. Special Anniversary Supporters “50/50” Club In celebration of our 50th Anniversary we hope you will contribute an additional $50.00 this year, or if you “gift” a membership to a family or friend of $50.00, and/or bring in a new member at $50.00 we will add your name to our Special Anniversary Supporters promotional materials. Simply submit an updated membership form or make a payment through the mail or via PayPal. You also have the opportunity to make this birthday gift when you renew your membership. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Our goal is to have 500 members by year-end so please tell your friends and neighbors to join – or surprise them with a gift membership in their name -- a gift that keeps on giving! Memberships provide the funds to present the incredible Brand programs that are free to the public. Our 50th Anniversary Challenge is On!
Brand Associates Members ~ Thank You So Much! Members List as of Press Time *= Welcome New Members, + = Members Over 5 Years, ++ = Members Over 10 Years, +++ = Members Over 15 Years
DONORS: ARTS PATRON - $1,000+ Estate of Robert Brown May Kwan & Jack Chicca Sam Francis Foundation Greg Grammer & Simon Wright++ Mary Jamora+ Pogosyan Care Foundation Jane & David VIar Debra Thompson & Lawrence Riff Bonese Collins Turner & Craig Turner++ Arlene Vidor+++
DONORS: BRAND PATRON $500 - $999 Anonymous Ruth Bricker *
PATRON - $250 - $500 California Library Association Sheri & Stephen Pyle (In Memory of Joann Whittington)
MEMBERS: PATRON - $250-$499 Sigrid Burton & Max Brennan Craig Cragnotti Gerri & Art Cragnotti Alan Gelman & Atul Gupta Catherine Jurca + Keith Knueven Elvira Munoz & Bob Geoghegan Renée Ralls
SUPPORTER $100 - $249 Jeri Anderson++ Patrice Atiee
David Attyah & Miguel Chion * Susanna Baird * Georgia & Gerald Brommer+++ Carol & Ron Brusha Debra Burchett-Lere Janice & Randy Carter Kirk & Stella Cartozian Cindy & William Cleary +++ Jordan & Elizabeth Cohen Greg & Teri Colley+ Arlette Der Hovanessian Patricia Donnellan ++ Rosamund Felsen Joy Feuer + Marie Fish Carolyn & Arthur Flemming+++ Jonathan Grayson Marcia Hanford Kathleen Henkel Ann Howitt ++ Barbara Kaleta Diane Lambillotte Donald McPoland+ Mark & Susan Meliander Tamara O’Connor Joan Palmer Louise Peebles+ Janet Peterson Irena Raulinaitis++ Leanne Reynolds William Shepherd & Arthur Fisher++ Patty Silversher+ Jean Simone Samuel R. & Kay B. Snodgrass Kathryn Swink * Cindy Dugger & Byron Taylor Caroline & Greg Tufenkian+ Patricia Turner Elaine Wilkerson+ Joemy Wilson
SUSTAINING - $50 - $99 Laurel Lee Anderson Cathy Billings Dr. & Mrs. Stanley Block Stuart & Stella Blond Sharla & Mark Bohman Jane Brown & Gary Hart Caley Cannon Nina Crowe David Cipes Dr. Hasmik Danielian Barbara Don & Thomas Metzler * Linda & David Dowell * Marie Fish++ Laurie & John Friend
Kathy & Steve Fogel Laura Friedman+ Carol Gaspar Barbara Greenlaw & Bill Steeber Erik Hentell Ann Howitt Janet & Chris Jung Joelle Karotkin & Cian Morales * Nancy Klehr * Karen Leal & David Eldan * Edith & Apostol Livitsanos Nick Macierz & Gary Freeman Patricia McNamara Roberta Medford Stephanie Miller Suriya Perera Melody Peterson Lila & Rich Ramirez Rebecca & Jerry Rees Gregory Ross * Luchus Smith Kathleen Takakuwa Benita Bike & Dean Wallraff+ Lucy Wang & Tom Halpern Rondi Werner Gloria Williams Sander + Mary Strenn Noelle Toal * Joylene & Robert Wagner + Mark Woods+ Philip Young
INDIVIDUAL, SENIOR & STUDENT - $20 - $49 Mark Abajian Astrik Abrahamian Gilbert Acuna Linda Johnstone Allen+ Gretchen Anderson Mary Anton Marie Baca Mania Badmagzian Cherie Baker Mary Baldwin Valerie Bassett Charlotte Bauer * Robert Beckwith * Fredric Berger Rouzanna Berberian * Marie Bezjian+++ Margaret Bickmore Leah Bieltvedt * Cathy Billings Wendy Blasdel * Armida Bolton Thelma Borman+++ Maya Bristow David Brooks * Barbara Nance & Ken Bryant Joanne Burger Barbara Byrne & David Randall Ana Maria Caillet-Bois Sonia Calleja Marjorie Camusi Christine Casaus Rosemary Chiaverini Vincent Cicone
Russell Cinque, Jr.+ Richard Conti Sally Currie Joyce Dean Nancy Call Dowey Peter Duckles ++ Stephanie Elkins * Kimberly Enedy-Guccione * Elena Feldman Robert Felker+ Mona Field Mark Frankel Claire Frith Christian Garcia * Nare Garibyan Richard Gaylor * Janna & Craig Gosselin Areg Gregorians * Carol Grosz+ Arpine Gulgulyan Linda & Joel Hahn Rachel Halsey Marguerite Hammert * Lori Hartwell+ Joanne Hedge Kathy Heller * Angela Hernandez++ Shirley Hill * Judith Hopkins * Catherine Hrenda Lawrence Hughes * Connie Humberger++ Mary Hylan * Simonette Jackson * Ratna Jones Wendy Juleff Elise Kalfayan Jackie Karvas Diane Kightlinger Paul Klees David Kleinberg Hendy Klinger Liselotte Koerner Alexander Kritselis * Alisa Krmoyan Nancy Kupka + Nancy Lahey + Nachama Larsen Daphne & John Lee Patricia Lee * Tiffany Lewis Judd Lieberman Rosanne & Don Longtain Sumiko Loughran Patricia Luna * Marie Mazei Suzanne McDonnell * Rosemary & David McNutt Judith Melton Rodica Mondocea Grant Mudford Kathy Musial+ Jamie Nichols & Steven Woodruff Karen Numme Deanne O’Brien++ Jeanne Marie Ostro Teresa Patrick * Frances Perez Regina & Norman Perry Louise Phelan
Amy Quinn * Lois Ramirez++ Jackie Raskin Rebecca Rees Leni Richardson+++ Danelle Rivas * Adryan Russ Shant Sahakian Jamel Saibi Laura Sarley Carleen Sbordone * Margaret Schubert Stephanie Schus & Joe Russin John Selleck * Butler & Jane Shaffer + Gary Shaffer * Jenkins Shannon Mary Sharp Lowayne Shieh * Ronnie Swire-Siegel Christine Spayth Eleonora Telunts Nathalie Tierce * Marina Timm * Kris Torres Ruby Vartan * Lorna Vartanian + Townsend Walker * Jan Wesley Joan Westgate Lincoln Wheeler Graeme Whifler Ramsey Whitson * Barbara Wilks Clarli Wilson +++ Nikki Winslow * Katherine Yamada Kathy Yoshimi Farnaz Zand Ralph Ziegler Roswitha Zundler
ELECTED HONORARY MEMBERS Pat Zeider - Former Brand Library Supervisor Laurel Patric - Former Director of Libraries Jan Reilly - Robert Brown Collection Donor
PAST PRESIDENTS 1969-70 1970-71 1971-73 1973-75 1975-77 1975-79 1979-80 1980-82 1982-84 1984-86 1986-89 1989-91 1991-03 1993-98 1998-01 2001-04 2004 2004-06 2007 2007-08 2008-10
Jeanette Hunter Newton (d) Elliott House Kathryn Hull Bill Wolfe (d) Betty Crosby Duane Hagen Beverly Duncan Ursula Gleason Edie Debney Mary Lee Higgins Robert Seelos (d) Howard Jacobson (d) Marge Marston Cathy Morrison Robert W. Seelos (d) Jane Friend (d) Sally MacAller Bonese Collins Turner Steve Hedrick Ripsime Maraashian Barbara Thorne-Otto
Acclaimed guitarist Carl Verheyen rocks the Plaza Series.
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ASSOCIATES OF BRAND LIBRARY & ART CENTER
U.S. Postage
1601 WEST MOUNTAIN STREET GLENDALE
MISSION
CALIFORNIA
Non-Profit Org.
91201
PAID Glendale, CA Permit No. 503 Return Service Requested
Brand Associates is a 501(c)3 all volunteer, non-profit organization supporting the Brand Library & Art Center as an arts, cultural, educational and historic resource for our region.
How do we accomplish our mission? For 50 years Brand Associates has been raising funds for cultural events and the Brand Library collections through a strong base of membership and donations. Join our organization to support this valued community resource
Photo: Graeme Whifler
associatesofbrand.org