Dear Ethan,

As we head into an unusual holiday season, we're wishing you a warm, safe, and happy one.

There is still so much to be excited about-both in the coming weeks and the year ahead. At the top of my list is the announcement of our first performances by the Artist in Residence Class of 2021. Starting in January you'll be able to enjoy fantastic virtual streams to help you get to know this remarkable set of musicians.?

I'm also looking forward to diving into a stunning collection of holiday programs from our many wonderful partners and student ensembles. We've curated a list of favorites for you to enjoy along with us.

Take care!

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

PS: See below for some holiday shopping tips and gift ideas. Thanks for supporting Strathmore in so many ways!

Dear Ethan,

On Monday, our President & CEO posted her response to the events of the past week on Strathmore's Facebook page. Before my typical update on the arts experiences we are planning for you, I''d like to share her statement directly:

Like so many of you, we at Strathmore are profoundly troubled by the distressing events of the past week. We stand strongly against racism and the injustices disproportionately borne by black members of our community. We are reminded of our intense need for the arts and of the critical role they play in building a more tolerant world-to give voice to those unheard, to reveal our commonality, and develop understanding. They heal, uplift, and humble us. They are our solace and our inspiration. We are here for all our artists, patrons, staff, board, students, and volunteers of color for whom these events are especially personal and affecting. And, we remain committed to human equality, social justice, and the peaceful expression of creativity.

- Monica Jeffries Hazangeles

These are indeed heavy times, but we believe Strathmore and the work we present can be a force for healing and understanding, celebration, and hope. We will continue to reflect the vibrant community that surrounds us-through these online channels, now, and on our stages and walls in the months to come. We hope to see you soon.

Wishing you well,

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Purchase with Confidence

In these unprecedented times, we understand you may be hesitant to plan for the future. Strathmore's generous ticket exchange policy preserves your flexibility so you can purchase with confidence. While we are programming with great optimism, we''ll always put your safety first. Should we be unable to hold an event, you will be able to exchange your tickets for another event or receive a refund.

Dear Ethan,

We've been waiting for this for a long time. In one month, we're welcoming you back to our 16-acre campus for Monuments: Creative Forces, a larger-than-life exhibition celebrating artists who have changed our communities for the better. Pick an evening to join and mark your calendars now. Timed-entry, pay-what-you-can tickets go on sale to members today, and to the public on September 9 at 10am.

For those who miss the Mansion most, we're so happy to be announcing a fantastic Music in the Mansion series today as well. We're also opening the Mansion next week with modified hours and special protocols to keep patrons comfortable-come see our newest exhibition, Paper Works, and visit the shop!

Take care,

P.S. We hope you're as excited about these new events as we are! Members can reserve their tickets to Monuments and the entire Music in the Mansion season right now, and if you join today for as little as $65, you can access the presale immediately.

Member presale starts now!
On sale to the public Wednesday, September 9 at 10am

Dear Ethan,

We continue to send you our warmest thoughts these days and particularly miss gathering with our inspiring neighbors.

It's becoming clear that the ways we typically gather for our signature summer education programs will not be possible, but we're transforming them into the best possible online experiences. We're happy to unveil Virtual UkeFest and online Summer Art Camps. That means you can invite every uke and art lover you know to participate with you-even if they live on the other side of the country.

Additionally, we're expanding one of our deepest and most energizing school-based programs, Step Up, to be open to more students with an online series starting next week. Read on to learn more. Let's connect and learn!

Take care,

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Purchase with Confidence

We understand you may be hesitant to plan for the future now. Strathmore's generous ticket exchange policy preserves your flexibility so you can purchase with confidence. While we are programming with great optimism, we''ll always put your safety first. Should we be unable to hold an event, you will be able to exchange your tickets for another event or receive a refund.

On sale now!

Dear Ethan,

To me, gift giving is a love language. It's a way to show my favorite folks that I really know them! For your friends and family that prefer amazing experiences over more "things" we know what will wow them: a special streaming version of The Hip Hop Nutcracker transports them to a winter wonderland; those looking to sharpen their strumming skills will love a gift registration for our Virtual Winter UkeFest; and art lovers of all ages appreciate Strathmore gift certificates! Our flexible gift certificates never expire and are a promise for future fun that can be redeemed for concert tickets, tea, membership, and more.

While the holidays look different this year, we've worked hard to transition our traditions and annual events in ways that we can continue to connect with art and celebrate in ways that are comfortable and safe for all.?

Take care,?

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

PS: As you plan your holiday gifts, please consider a donation to an arts organization, like Strathmore, who is impacted by shutdowns. Together, we will protect the creative soul of our community. Donate now?

Dear Ethan,

While the holidays may look different this year, we've worked hard to transition our traditions and annual events online so that we can continue to connect with art and celebrate in ways that are comfortable and safe for all.?

Museum Shop Holiday Market-celebrating 31 years of bringing together the area's best museum and cultural shops in a one-stop shop-is a site for sore eyes! Visit the virtual market to get unique gifts for everyone on your list and enjoy free shipping on all purchases.?Also, since we used a third-party website to setup the shop, your Strathmore login will not work.?You''ll need to create a new login for this site or checkout as a guest. Please reply to this email if you have any questions!?

Coming up next week is Fresh AIR, a virtual concert event that introduces us to the extremely talented Artist in Residence Class of 2021. The Hip Hop Nutcracker, which returns to Strathmore by popular demand year after year, is also going digital so you're sure to get the best seats in the house!?

Take care,?

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Dear Ethan,

This weekend, we welcome you back to our campus for a totally new experience. If you've already heard about the Monuments exhibition, you'll want to read on for some news about accompanying events including a fantastic panel discussion and a new virtual performance. Here's a note from our Artistic Director, Joi Brown, to help set the stage for what you can experience at Strathmore in October:?

"I have found more solace in the work of artists during the last 6 months than at any other time in my 30-year career. At a time when our heads are full of challenging information, and we pragmatically navigate tasks and activities amid the pandemic and social disruption, artists are creating work with more relevance, power, and inspiration.?

Monuments: Creative Forces, a month-long outdoor installation on Strathmore's campus, celebrates artists who better our world and inspire us with how they use their creativity and platform to speak truth to power. As an endcap to this month we are proud to present The Sound of Democracy, a virtual concert by Wynton Marsalis and musicians from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra. Marsalis is an icon among artists speaking truth to power and this brand-new program will feature new compositions as well as arrangements of music that speaks to our time."?

Take care,

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

This innovative campus-wide outdoor art installation by Australian artist Craig Walsh features moving, dimensional video portraits of artists whose work and artistic endeavors are changing the shape of our community in profound ways.

Expansive portraits of six creative heroes, chosen by a diverse panel of community and arts leaders, are projected on to towering trees on Strathmore's 16-acre campus, transforming them into animated sculptural monuments.

Pay-what-you-can timed tickets are available and prime times are filling up fast!

Support for Monuments provided by Embassy of Australia
Special thanks to REI

Dear Ethan,

There's a buzz here at Strathmore. Our long-awaited Monuments: Creative Forces outdoor installation is just weeks away, and the Mansion is lighting up with activity and art. After months of connecting online, we're thrilled to be showcasing some incredible work on our campus for in-person enjoyment.??

Speaking of the Mansion, our newest exhibitions?are now on display. In Paper Works, artists cut, quill, and fold paper so it becomes more than a surface for art-it becomes the art itself. Shana Kohnstamm's colorful soft sculptures merge real-life inspiration with the whimsical nature of imagination, and Emon Surakitkoson creates abstract works featuring fluid, cyclical forms.

You can get a sneak peek at all three exhibitions on Facebook next Thursday night, as we gather the artists for a virtual opening reception and tour. (RSVP for a reminder and be sure to follow Strathmore on Facebook!)

Take care!

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications

P.S. Don't miss the Rockley Foundation Piano Sale September 24-26 in the Music Center. This is your opportunity to buy gently used instruments and support Strathmore arts & education!

Dear Ethan,

We hope that you are well! If you haven't yet joined us for our weekly virtual concerts or participated in one of our art talks-this is a great week to try them. It's so meaningful to be with each other to experience art, even if it's not in the ways we're used to. 

If you can't join us in real time, explore our archives on Facebook and YouTube at your leisure. It's amazing how a little art can brighten your day.

Take care,

Alaina
Vice President, Marketing & Communications