e-news #103 december 24, 2009

• After five years we gave birth to 666 big pages of TOM OF FINLAND XXL. Bound, but not blessed, by the Vatican.
• 60 artists – a sellout – at our 14th Erotic Art Fair in West Hollywood/Los Angeles.
• Tom of Finland exhibited as part of MoMA’s permanent collection.
• Cleveland Leathermen, “CLAW”, induct Tom into their Leather Hall of Fame.
• ToFF’s importance in cultural history recognized by CSW Pride.
• Tom exhibited in the prestigious Venice Biennale. 288,000 see his work in the Danish and Nordic Pavilions.
• Gallery owners charged and arrested for theft of Tom’s work. All eight pieces were recovered.
• Tom returns to his favorite city – Berlin – in an important one-man exhibition at Schlechtriem Brothers.

TOM  OF  FINLAND  FOUNDATION
Allison Schulte Receives ARLIS/ NA Internship Award

Allison in the ToFF Library.

The Foundation is very pleased to announce that our Library Director & International Liaison, Allison Schulte, is the recipient of The Art Libraries Society of North America's ARLIS/ NA Internship Award. In addition to a $2,500 stipend, Ms. Schulte will receive a one-year complimentary membership in ARLIS/NA.

"I could not have done this without Tom and all of you.... This award is applied to by all kinds of librarians and curators with focuses that range from architecture to Renaissance. For the first time, it is being granted in the name of 'erotic art'."

Read more about it here.

Dear Angel — aka David Atilano — Threw A Benefit For
TOM  OF  FINLAND  FOUNDATION
December 12, 2009

Dear Angel artwork on display at the Roosterfish.		Some of the raffle prizes and info offered that night.

David Atilano presented his artwork at the Foundation's 2009 West Hollywood / Los Angeles Erotic Art Fair Weekend last March — which led to a December 2009 exhibit at the Roosterfish Bar in Venice, CA.

David and his friends pulled together a Benefit Night for the Foundation — his way of thanking the Foundation for the opportunities we provide for gay artists to continue creating erotic art. Raffle ticket prizes included items contributed by the Foundation, but the BIG prize of the evening was the winner's choice of David's work on display — to be received after the exhibition concludes. Wow!

Approaching nearly 30 years serving the gay community, Roosterfish is one of the oldest gay bars in the country still operating from it's original location. In the neighborhood? Drop by and see David's art in person. Or check out the Dear Angel website for David's gay handmade greeting cards.

TOM  OF  FINLAND  FOUNDATION
Nominated For WeHo Award

The Board of Governers for The WeHo Awards has announced the nomination of the Tom of Finland Foundation under the category Community Organization. Other nominees include: Bienestar Human Services, Equality California, Human Rights Campaign, Imperial Court System, Love Honor Cherish, NOH8 Campaign, Project AIDS & Cancer, Project Angel Food, The Gay & Lesbian Taskforce, and Trevor Project. We feel very honored to be included with such illustrious company.

In the Visual Artist category nominees are: Clark Fairfield, David Alexander, Jeremy Vargus, Lanny Lee Leyda, Marky Make Up Andrews, Miguel Angel Reyes, Mike Derry, Pam Holland, Robert Corrado, and Ron Woodward. Under Digital Artist: Adam Lyons, Anday Lotfus, Brian Sugden, Chad Serrano, Clark Fairfield, Cosmosis Graphics, Dustin Woehrmann, Evenstar Communications, Garrett Clum, and Viktor Pelayo.

Winners will be announced Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at the 9th Annual WeHo Awards Gala.

WeHo Awards Website.

TOM  OF  FINLAND  FOUNDATION
Volunteers Pot Luck Party
December 19, 2009

Santa's lap was a popular spot for photos and mischief!
Santa: Pete Karjalainen - Foundation Advisory Board Member
Photo by: JayPG

Volunteers keep the Foundation moving forward — there’s much the Foundation owes to them. This is the night that the men and women of our volunteer force get a chance to celebrate and mingle. (There isn’t much time to socialize while working on an event!)

133 RSVPs — and only a hand full of no-shows — made for a full house, and a huge & varied feast. Fortunately, the weather was on our side. Visitors could stroll the grounds and take advantage of the chairs and tables provided. A surprise show by Magic Bob highlighted the evening's entertainment.

TOM  OF  FINLAND  FOUNDATION
Hector Silva Installation At The TOM House

When the plaster needs repairing around the TOM House, who you gonna call? An artist, of course! Here, busy at work, is Hector Silva doing more than a "repair job". Not only does the Tom House display hundreds of works of art, it is becoming part of the art itself.

As a newly installed work of art, it's turning a lot of heads... upwards. Thanks, Hector!

Friend of Foundation, Gary Robinson Dies November 21st, 2009

Gary Robinson passed away on the morning of November 21st, 2009. "He was a very good friend — and was becoming a better one."

Many people associate Gary with Tom of Finland through the Tom of Finland Clothing line. After an exhaustive study of Tom's art, designers Gary Robinson and David Johnson produced a collection that brought the artist's vision to three-dimensional life. The line was embraced by fashion editors, featured in music videos, and covered prominently on both fashion television and the E-Channel.

More

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