Laurie Justus Pace ~ Texas Premier Contemporary Artist ~ Painter of the HeART

Art tells the whole story. For as long as mankind has played a role in this world, artists have recorded that role. Historians and archaeologists study art to learn about past civilizations and the individuals within them. Every era in our history has been recorded, defined, refined, and enhanced by its artists%u2026 and today is no exception. Not a moment slips by that isn't being translated, somewhere, by someone, into a work of art. Every second holds a lifetime of inspiration, and in our fast-paced world this means that capturing the essence of the era requires a veritable army, millions strong and wielding their chosen implements of creation. Right now there are untold numbers of artists channeling their situations, their conflicts, their passions, their grievances-their lives and the lives of those around them-into their work. Transforming their energy into what matters. Using their art to tell the whole story.

Artists Gifting the World now associated under CFAI wants to make sure that story is heard, and will work tirelessly to benefit the world these artists portray. It's all there in the name: This is a group of international artists, a deep and varied pool of unique and extraordinary talents, who seek real and valuable change in the world around them. CFAI/Artists Gifting the World is not a typical artist listing Web site; a portion of the funds raised through membership fees and events will directly benefit a rotating list of global charities, and through the energy and creativity of our membership, we will work toward making a visible and lasting difference.

CFAI/Artists Gifting the World will do heavy brand marketing and advertising of member artists. We intend to benefit our member community-through promotion, mentoring, and exposure to a much larger audience-so that we can benefit our global community. Through artbyus.com, members will have an online venue for selling practice pieces and non-gallery work. Artists will learn valuable branding techniques for appealing to today's marketplace and make new connections for work and referrals. Our annual gatherings will feature classes taught not only by world-renowned artists, but also by marketing strategists and attending gallery owners, offering opportunities to network and to learn from those in the know-lighting the steps along the path from the blank canvas all the way to the gallery wall.

The Five Graces came together with Kimberly Conrad to unite these international goals in pursuit of giving back to both the world and to artists in their struggle to create and sell to live. Over the last decade, we have experienced the pitfalls and difficulties of the art market, but have learned and grown to become working artists whose sales and marketing abilities have gained the respect of our peers. We now feel drawn to put that knowledge to use, not only in counseling artists in need of direction, but in focusing the efforts of a tremendously creative group into global relief efforts and important charitable work. We believe strongly in the potential of CFAI/Artists Gifting the World, and our constant marketing is carefully designed to drive international traffic to the site, always bringing new eyes to our mission and, specifically, to those artists who believe in it like we do. We want to open those eyes to the beauty inherent in art, and to the potential for that art to beautify the world that inspires it.

Art tells the whole story. And as part of CFAI/Artists Gifting the World, that story will be yours.