Testimonials

October 18th, 2007 Dear Naomi Nussbaum, I am writing you to say thank you, the mobile gallery I was working on turned out to be unfixable, so I ended up paying the landlord and bought art supplies, they told me they would take care of the mobile home gallery but I that I had to leave, I ended up selling paintings out of my back pack on book paper while shining shoes in downtown San Diego, I eventually turned myself into tri-city hospital and received medication which has turned my life around, the paintings I was selling gave me the hope and realization that I could do more with my life, since time I moved to Arizona and actually am able to work and have shown in three galleries, I thought about what you had done for me from time to time, but couldn't figure out how to contact you, I am so thankful for this opportunity to tell you my life today is a million times separated from what it was then, and I would never have had the ability to accomplish what I have without your having faith in me, life is not perfect now but I eat everyday and have been making art like never before, to see how far I've come due to the paint you supplied me, have a look at my flick page at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/8272570@N04/ What your foundation does for people like me, me being a schizophrenic artist, is provide the chance to use the power of art to transform our lives beyond our wildest dreams, Sincerely, Chris Reynolds I would feel honored to be in your show.

 

September 5, 2007 Dear Naomi and Synergy Thank you so much for supporting me with the $2500 grant. It really helped me to continue painting when I was running on fumes for so long, and now I think I have just completed my best work ever. Getting help from fellow artists was a real energetic boost for me. I had been paying off medical bills for seven years even though I had insurance. The bills were due to 8 operations and radiation treatment for cancer. I was dealing with metastasis and I was tapped out in every way imaginable, and trying everything I could to build up the strength to paint. Your help was a big part of that process. I have an important show coming up and your support helped me to pull off the canvases that will be on display. I was able to pay off the remaining medical bills that had become due, and remove that weight from my shoulders and focus that much more on the work, thanks to your generous spirit. Anonymous

 

August 30, 2007 How can I express the feeling I had, when I opened the envelope Synergy Art Foundation sent me? Inside was a check for $2000.00! I could not believe my eyes and was touched to tears. At that time I was kept alive on a dialysis machine 12 hours weekly, due to chronic Kidney failure. I barely got by and worked a little when my energy allowed. The support didn't end with the check. Synergy Art Foundation is constantly on a mission to give and help support struggling artists. I was proud to participate at the Synergy fundraiser called 'Mardi Gras in May', where artists who received support from Synergy showed their works. A portion of the proceeds was given to support the Katrina artists who lost everything in New Orleans. It was an empowering and wonderful experience of giving and receiving. Not to mention that the event was a fun filled blast! I even had the opportunity to talk on the Radio with Naomi Nussbaum and received more exposure. Synergy Art Foundation's ceaseless commitment to give and make a difference is amazing and inspiring. Synergy Art Foundation has made a big difference in my life and I am eternally grateful for their existence and example of unconditional giving. Thank you Lena Gardelli

 

June 2007 "Dearest Naomi I do apologize for taking so long to get back to you, I am truly thankful for the financial help and support that Synergy has given me, I am healing quite well with the support of friends, family and the community that I so love. I can now walk without any pain and I can sleep. I truly feel like a bionic woman with my new titanium hip. I have been so busy, I jumped right back in helping others again and I realize that your help and the help from the community fundraiser have made this possible. As I write this I realize that yours wasn't just a monetary contribution, you have taught me an important lesson. You see I have always worked so hard for others, as long as I can remember developing programming for the community, planning events, painting murals with youth and families and working with the kids that the system forgot. But what I forgot was that I needed to take care of myself and let others help me. When my hip began to disintegrate I had to have surgery and take an unpaid leave of absence from my job, I could no longer work and pay for my basic needs and I felt so alone. Thank you for reminding me that there are people like you that help artists in need. Thank you for healing the healer and letting me continue my work. I am so humbled by your organization I had no idea that it existed but see how very important it really is. Please do not hesitate to call on me to help you in this wonderful mission." Sincerely, Berenice Badillo MA, IMF-ATR Activist , Artist, Muralist and Marriage and Family Clinical Art Therapist

 

"On behalf of the Legacies project participants want to thank you all VERY much for your generous contribution to our work. I hope it brings your organization much satisfaction, and that the final art projects being past on to the future generations is a fulfilling reward for you all personally. We will be sure and let you see and enjoy some of the Youth's art works, if the work they did in Encinitas is any indication, they can be quite original and meaningful legacies." Lois Surnich, Founding Director, StoryArts, Inc.

 

Dear Synergy, Thank you for giving me an opportunity to express my appreciation for your efforts on my behalf. Below is the short paragraph you wanted for the new website. At a time of chaos in my life, I received more than just a grant of funds from the Synergy Art Foundation; I received a large boost of hope for the future from the kindness shown me by its many wonderful members. They are doing the real work art and artists should be doing to make a better world, one life at a time. Attached is a photo of my lastest artwork using some of the fire fragments... a full-size torso of glass and ceramic entitled "She". She will be part of triptych of sculptures including one solely of ceramic with references to ancient artifacts, the other solely of fused glass in a crosshatching of white and clear. I hope all is well for you, take care. Sincerely, Charlotte Mitchell

 

Dear Synergy, This testimony comes from the heart so it may need a little shortening and grammatical tweeking, but feel free to use it in any way that you find helpful. Thanks again, Ken Any one who wonders if there are any charitable organizations out there that truly put their money where their mouth is should know about Synergy. This year I had planned to donate a painting to Synergy because I liked the way they handled the fire tragedy of 2003. Then I noticed in their mission statement that they also help artist's who simply find themselves in unexpected financial binds.I've never been on the receiving end of a charitable organization, so when Naomi asked how I was and I told her that I had just had a rotator cuff surgery (on my painting arm), and that my catastrophic insurance did not cover the MRI or any follow up physical therapy treatments, Naomi surprised me by saying I sounded like a candidate for financial help myself. After filling out the appropriate forms, it turned out I was. Synergy was very prompt and generous in the way they responded, and there were no strings attached. So from first hand experience, I just want to let anyone know, who is interested in supporting a good cause, that I am glad to be a past Synergy supporter and will continue to donate paintings in the future. This organization is a true friend and benefactor to our art community. Ken Goldman

 

I am a single parent with one twelve year old son, we have no other family. After the Cedar fire of October 2003 I had lost everything I owned in the house we were renting in Scripps Ranch, this included nine months of work on two books I was writing, all of which was in my computer. The insurance company would not pay anything to compensate me for my loss. The reason they gave was that the building was also my home and I did not have renters insurance. I was unable to work for several months as I no longer had my photographic or computer equipment. I rapidly had to spend $30,000 of my savings and was down to a few hundred dollars. Synergy Art were wonderful in arranging an auction for artists in the same position as myself and I received approximately $2000 which enabled me to purchase some equipment to replace what I had lost. My son and I have been sharing an 8x12 foot room for the past 14 months this room also serves as my office and my inflatable bed serves double duty as a desk during the day .In December 2004 Synergy organized a second auction at which I was able to display some of the work I have been able to produce with my new camera and equipment . I was able to sell one of my images at the auction of $350 which enabled me to travel to San Francisco in January to give a two hour lecture on digital photography to 150 students and then teach a one week workshop to 17 professional photographers at the California Photographic Workshops for which I received $3000. I am very grateful to all the members of Synergy Art for their generosity and encouragement during this difficult period. Michael Campbell

 

From: Fay McQueen To: nna@adelphia.net Subject: RE: Greetings Hello, I have been slow to recover, but am getting better each day. I still don't have my home rebuilt and no studio, but work is to begin this spring. The support you have given me is a gift of hope for my future. I am still working for James Hubbell and additionaly on a project in Lakeside, designing mosaics and bronze railings in a large garden. I so appreciate the great effort you have put forth to help the artists who lost so much in the fire. I still want to meet you. Love, Fay

 

After the Cedar fire of 2003 destroyed my home I was naturally upset. There were several groups that offered different types of assistance, but my favorite was the Synergy group. As artists they spoke my language, and helped me through a difficult time. The fundraiser they had at the firehouse was particularily great and helped alot of people get the tragedy behind them. I'm grateful to them, and can now consider them friends too. - Hans Tegebo

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