The Only Guarantee in Life involves Never Buying That Ticket…

Sure enough, in life, the safest bet is no bet at all… unless, you want a chance at winning! Today, the Rainbolt Tanzania Project and three local artists from the North Country are giving you a chance to own some original art; it is a chance to own something beautiful that will never produce comments like, “Oh, my mother has a copy of that print,” or “Where’d you find that? I saw some prints at TJ Max but I wanted to price them at other stores before buying…” Like most things worth cherishing, the art pieces being raffled for the Rainbolt Tanzania Project are one of a kind products made with careful crafting and creativity. All proceeds from the raffle will go to this project which is working to raise funds to send the Rainbolt Family to Tanzania in July 2018. To learn more about what we will be doing in Tanzania check out my blog, or go to our page on Cross Cultural Solutions website.

The tickets range from $5 — $25 depending on what you hope to own… a beautiful hand made necklace created out of spent ammunition ($5 raffle); a beautiful appetizer plate hand built by a well known potter ($10 raffle); or maybe an acrylic painting created by an art student from Pratt ($25 raffle). This raffle makes original art accessible to those who may not normally have the resources to invest in this type of art. It also gives us an opportunity to show case our local talent. Currently these works and the artists’ bios are on display in Watertown at Arts on the Square (52 Public Square). Follow our Facebook page (click here) to get an updated schedule for August & September 2016.

Please consider a visit to the gallery and learn more about these artists and their work. Even if you don’t buy a ticket, consider becoming a patron of the arts. We need our artists to keep making art and to share their works with the community. They will not be able to do this as “starving artists.” “Starving artists,” will wander until they find a community that feeds them, literally and figuratively. And, those that stay within a community in which they are not thriving economically or creatively, usually become limited in their abilities to create the quality of work that they are capable of. We need to support our local artists and invest, when able, in their art!

Why does that matter, you may ask. It is our bias that the participation in and the support of the arts is an important aspect of living well and helps build healthy, strong communities. Paul G. Allen, the Co-Founder of Microsoft, explained it this way:

“In my own philanthropy and business endeavors, I have seen the critical role that the arts play in stimulating creativity and in developing vital communities….the arts have a crucial impact on our economy and are an important catalyst for learning, discovery, and achievement in our country.”

And Clifford V. Smith, the President of the General Electric Foundation, shared a similar idea when he shared he explained why his company works hard to support the arts in his community:

“GE hires a lot of engineers. We want young people who can do more than add up a string of numbers and write a coherent sentence. They must be able to solve problems, communicate ideas and be sensitive to the world around them. Participation in the arts is one of the best ways to develop these abilities.”

So please, invest in the arts, in our local artists, and in the well being of our community. One great way to do this is to buy a membership at the North Country Arts Council. ( An annual membership is not terribly expensive. The fee ranges from a student membership of $15 to a family membership of $50.) NCAC is a place where artists can display and share their works, network with other artists, and create an atmosphere of support, inspiration and community for our artisans, musicians, and writers. It is also a place for everyone to celebrate and enjoy our local artists’ works and take classes to expand and stretch our own sense of creativity. Check out their gallery, Arts on The Square, located at 52 Public Square in downtown Watertown and enjoy some of our local talent on display. (And,while you’re there… consider buying some raffle tickets!)

If you want to purchase a raffle ticket online, please refer to the jpeg image of the tickets below. Click on the picture and download the tickets. Beneath this picture, there are additional instructions on how to send payment along with a completed ticket. Remember, according to famous Canadian hockey player, Wayne Gretzky, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take,” so take a shot at owning something beautiful!

You will need to fill out both the left and the right side of the tickets you plan to purchase. (Be sure to circle the piece of art work you are submitting your raffle towards; the three choices are listed on the left side of the ticket .) A ticket will not be considered valid unless it is completely filled out and the completed ticket is received with an exact payment prior to September 1 2016. (Checks should be made out to: Marie Rainbolt or Cross Cultural Solutions.) And remember… if you want to win- the best way to improve your odds is to buy many tickets! Tickets can be mailed to: 123 Bowers Ave, Watertown NY 13601 Attn: Rainbolt Tanzania Project.

We wish you the best of luck. All participants will be emailed a list of winners in September of 2016. Follow our Facebook page for more details.

Thank you for following our blog. We appreciate your support and your comments.

M.