We​ ​encourage​ ​​ ​businesses​ ​to​ ​support ​the​ ​‘Visual​ ​Arts​ ​Academy ​as​ ​we​ ​prepare​ ​for​ ​the 14th​ ​Annual​ ​Raku-B-Que​ & ​Silent​ ​Auction​ ​scheduled​ ​for​ Friday,​ ​March 4th,​ ​from​ ​6:00 PM​ ​to 8:00​ ​PM​ ​at​ ​Salem​ ​High​ ​School in Virginia Beach.​ ​This​ ​event​ ​will​ ​celebrate​ ​the​ ​continued​ ​growth​ ​of​ ​this​ ​most worthwhile​ ​program​ ​for​ ​our​ ​city’s​ ​gifted​ ​visual​ ​arts​ ​students​ ​while​ ​showcasing​ ​one​ ​of​ ​their​ ​most exciting​ ​and​ ​unique​ ​clay​ ​techniques. 

We​ ​are​ ​a​ ​small​ ​group​ ​of​ ​dedicated​ ​parents​ ​who​ ​are​ ​trying​ ​to​ ​make​ ​a​ ​difference​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Virginia ​Beach Public​ ​School​ ​System​ ​so​ ​as​ ​to​ ​keep​ ​this​ ​program​ ​thriving.​ ​This​ ​is​ ​our​ ​primary​ ​annual​ ​fundraiser, and​ ​its​ ​success​ ​would​ ​not​ ​be​ ​possible​ ​without​ ​the​ ​generosity​ ​of​ ​our​ ​area​ ​businesses.​ ​In previous years, we have helped​ ​to​ ​raise​ ​money​ ​for​ ​student​ ​aid​ ​scholarships,​ ​student​ ​merit​ ​awards,​ field trips, ​a​ ​trip​ ​to​ ​New​ ​York City​ ​for​ ​a​ ​variety​ ​of​ ​professional​ ​classes​ ​and​ ​additional​ ​teaching​ ​materials​ ​for​ ​the​ ​classroom. 

A​ ​bit​ ​of​ ​background​ ​for​ ​the​ ​event:​ ​Raku​ ​is​ ​a​ ​Japanese​ ​firing​ ​process​ ​of​ ​pottery​ ​utilizing​ ​both​ ​kiln firing​ ​pottery​ ​and​ ​smothering​ ​it​ ​in​ ​combustible​ ​material​ ​causing​ ​spontaneous​ ​changes​ ​and colors​ ​to​ ​the​ ​surface​ ​of​ ​the​ ​fired​ ​work.​ ​Join​ ​us​ ​and​ ​experience​ ​the​ ​excitement​ ​of​ ​a​ ​Raku​ ​ceramics firing​ ​at​ ​night,​ ​a​ ​barbeque​ ​dinner,​ ​musical​ ​entertainment,​ ​and​ ​a​ ​silent​ ​auction.​ ​It​ ​is​ ​our​ ​greatest hope​ ​this​ ​silent​ ​auction​ ​will​ ​be​ ​full​ ​of​ ​tempting​ ​items​ ​(products​ and/or ​services)​ ​including​ ​student and​ ​faculty​ ​artwork,​ ​art​ ​supplies,​ ​a​ ​wide​ ​assortment​ ​of​ ​gift​ ​cards​ ​for​ ​an​ ​item​ ​or​ ​service, themed​ ​gift​ ​baskets,​ ​jewelry,​ ​household​ ​items,​ ​holiday​ ​gifts,​ ​and​ ​anything​ ​else​ ​appropriate​ ​for fundraising​ ​purposes.​ ​All​ ​contributors​ ​will​ ​be​ ​recognized​ ​as​ ​an​ ​event​ ​sponsor​ ​at the​ ​event and on social media. We​ ​are​ ​certainly​ ​mindful​ ​of​ ​the​ ​challenging​ ​economic​ ​climate​ ​facing​ ​most​ ​area​ ​businesses​ ​today, and,​ ​therefore,​ ​we​ ​thank​ ​you​ ​for​ ​giving​ ​this​ ​matter​ ​your​ ​consideration​ ​while​ ​supporting​ ​the Salem​ ​High​ ​School​ ​‘Visual​ ​Arts​ ​Academy’​ ​through​ ​FOTA​ ​–​ ​Visual​ ​Arts. 

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact me at (267) 242-0672 or at  rakubque@gmail.com . On behalf of the students, parents, and faculty of Salem High School Visual Arts Academy, thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Donna Hameed

Raku-B-Que Silent Auction Committee
rakubque@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/vpaavisualarts/
1993 Sundevil Drive, Virginia Beach VA 23464