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ON THE ROAD

When we frst opened October Gallery we realized
that we could not develop the October Gallery brand

The Bright P.O. Box 5506 with just the stand-alone art gallery. We decided
Philadelphia, PA 19143
Lights Initiative 215-748-5454 to put on mini art shows outside the gallery walls.
www.thebrightlights.org Tese local mini art shows were held in the lobbies
ann@thebrightlights.org of public buildings (where permission was granted),
and at sorority and fraternity social functions. As

we gained experience at creatively setting up small The Washington Hilton
where some of our most
shows, we applied our savoir faire to bigger art shows, successful Washington, DC
art shows took place.
December 18, 2005 in other cities.
Vineyard shows. At the time,

Produced and sponsored solely by October Gallery, Washington seemed to us
October Gallery
Mercer Redcross these events were called Black art shows. Te cities like a place where upwardly
68 N. 2nd Street where these traveling shows were presented include: mobile young African-
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Americans wanted to be
Dear Mr. Redcross: Atlanta, GA Baltimore, MD Artist Chez Guest (left) and
poet Trapeta Mayson at our
Te Bright Lights Initiative greatly appreciates your generous contributions and assistance in the production and publication of Te Bright Chicago, IL Columbia, MD ethnically and culturally Martha’s Vineyard art show.
Lights’ Guide to the African Universe as the Fall 2005 issue of PAINT. Te publication continues to enrich and inform the many readers of New York, NY Wilmington, DE aware. Tey already owned
October Gallery’s magazine, PAINT, and is especially important for the Bright Lights. Los Angeles, CA Montreal, Canada many of the accoutrements that money could buy, but
October Gallery’s contribution from the actual printing of the 30,000 copies of PAINT with 3800 copies specifcally formatted for the Bright Oakland, CA Detroit, MI
Lights, to consistent support from you and your staf in the complex areas of graphic layout, design and formatting, not to mention proof- Jacksonville, FL Durham, NC they still wanted more. Along came October Gallery
reading, editing, and actual delivery of the 3800 copies to the Bright Lights Initiative.
Sarasota, FL Boston, MA with a strong marketing campaign to reach these folk,
A conservative estimate of your contribution of the printing and related cost to this publication is at least $11,500. We thank you very much. Washington, DC and magic happened. Sales were great and the response

Always moving forward, was so positive we revisited the area often. On average,
To prepare for these events, our framing department
Ann Evans Guise, Director sometimes had to operate 24 hours a day. Te volume of we hosted such shows in Washington at least three or
framed artwork needed for these shows was enormous. four times a year from 1989 to 1995. Tis location
A special staf of about seven to ten people became the generated an incredible market for our gallery.
For income tax purposes, this letter will also serve as your receipt and confrmation that, in consideration for your contribution, the Bright
Lights Initiative did not provide you with any goods and services, in whole or in part, that would afect the tax-deductible amount of the traveling team for weekend shows throughout the year. As we recall those days, we think of our daughter,
gift. Rather, it is tax-deductible to the fullest amount allowable by law. At the end of a show, we would celebrate by fnding Stephanie. She was 14 or 16 years old when the

PLEASE KEEP THIS RECEIPT FOR INCOME TAX PURPOSE a soul food restaurant (if possible) and relaxing a bit Washington shows began. She had the most important
Te Bright Lights Initiative is a subsidiary nonproft of Resources for Human Development, Inc. (RHD). RHD is a registered before heading home. job of all at these shows: as we got close to the end of
charitable organization. A copy of RHD’s ofcial registration and fnancial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania
Department of State by calling toll-free, 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement. Te Black art show was part of the vertical integration the day, she had to sit on top of the briefcase that held

strategy for October Gallery’s branding. Te shows the receipts (charge slips and checks). If she wanted to
were a good move for us. Tey elevated sales, but, go to the bathroom, she had to let someone know frst.
more importantly, they broadened our customer base Our staf and volunteers would say to her: “Don’t you

and helped sustain those relationships. It was also an want to take a break? Aren’t you tired?” And she would
excellent way to strengthen our brand regionally as reply, “I’ll move if you want to see my father have a
well as nationally. Probably, the two best shows outside heart attack.”

Philadelphia were the Washington, DC and Martha’s

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