Convergence Honors Carrie and Fred Schilling  as Volunteers of the Year 2010  

Carrie and Fred Schilling were recently named Convergence Volunteers of the Year for 2010. The award was presented at a church business meeting and then at the February Artist's Brown Bag Lunch. It will remain on display in the gallery at Convergence for the remainder of 2011.

The inscription on the award reads:

2010 Convergence Volunteer Award Presented to Carrie and Fred Schilling. With gratitude for your leadership and contribution to the Gallery at Convergence. Thank you for gracing our walls and our hearts with your artful service.

Convergence Founder, Lisa Hawkins said, "Carrie and Fred exemplified our mission through their efforts and generosity in 2010. What they have contributed to the Gallery at Convergence goes far beyond hours and man-power. They inspired and encouraged artists of all experience levels and brought a sense of life and excitement to our gallery. We have been fortunate to benefit from their expertise and hope to continue using the lessons we learned from them in the coming years."  

While Carrie remains the Office Manager at Convergence, she is passing the baton of Volunteer Curator of the Gallery in 2011. The Schillings are professional photographers working and showing in many places locally. They currently have a featured exhibit entitled: "Peregrination: a journey by foot" photographs by Fred and Carrie Schilling, on the 3rd floor of City Hall in Old Town Alexandria. The exhibit runs from Feb. 28 - July 31, 2011. Hours are Mon.- Fri. 8:00 am - 6:00 pm. View their website: Schillingimages.com

March, 2011

Convergence 2010 Finalist for MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Award!

Space for Change: Building Community Through Innovative Art Spaces.

"Congratulations [to Convergence] on becoming a Finalist for the 2010 MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards!  We received nearly 100 applications from 31 states across the country. As a Finalist you have already distinguished yourself among your peers and are clearly doing very exciting work in the field of Artist Space Development."

Launched in 2009, the MetLife Foundation Innovative Space Awards is a competitive national funding program that recognizes outstanding efforts in the design and development of affordable space for artists. The program emphasizes the benefits artist spaces yield for both artists and their communities. 

In the Awards' concluding round of grantmaking leading artist spaces will be selected from across the country to receive unrestricted awards ranging from $10,000 - $50,000 along with access to technical assistance and a learning community of peer institutions.

As a finalist, we have site visit scheduled for Wednesday, June 30th from 9:00 am -12:00 pm. Thanks to all of our artists, arts organizations, partners, patrons and friends! This is an affirmation of the importance of the kind of community we are creating together. 

June 2010 

Convergence Awarded 2010-2011 Operations Grant from the Alexandria Commission for the Arts

Each year, the Alexandria Commission for the Arts advises City Council on the allocation of City funds designated for the arts.  This year, the Commission recommended Convergence's proposal for an operations grant. We are so pleased to have received this honor.  In addition to the obvious benefits of monetary support for a fledgling arts organization, Convergence is incredibly encouraged by the vote of confidence in the services we provide. We are proud to be an active part of the Alexandria community of artists and art lovers and look forward to continuing to serve their needs for affordable space and supportive community. Thank you to the Commission for the Arts, City Council and Mayor's Office!

May 2010