In the early ‘90s I toyed with the idea of getting master’s degree in journalism. I did end up taking some post graduate classes at Northwestern University in both journalism and public relations, then actually worked for a PR firm for a time before getting laid off... then moving back to California.
I’ve since had several freelance gigs writing press releases and writing for the Del Mar Times. In addition, I’ve written several articles for my Techniquelle group’s website as well as the newsletter for the 101 Artists’ Colony. I certainly don’t consider my coursework at Northwestern to have been a waste of time, and one of these days I may still go get that master’s degree... but there’s no training like just doing..
Samples of articles and PR archived here in comments section...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Encinitas in RAW Form
Press Release for the 101 Artists’ Colony
by Jennifer Simpson
Published in The Coast News, and at the www.Techniquelle.com website
Encinitas, CA (May 16, 2002)-- Encinitas artist Ron A. Wickersham, aka RAW, is taking performance art to a new level at the 101 Artists' Colony in Encinitas.
"Encinitas in RAW form" will feature the artist and his son Lawrence Thomas in the process of creating as many as 15 paintings. The show opens June 3 with an Installation Party scheduled for 6 p.m. and runs through June 16 at 25 East 'E' Street in Encinitas.
The father son team will not be painting the typical Encinitas scenes of Swamis and Moonlight Beach. Instead, they will paint the character of the town.
"Encinitas is kind of an abstract city. I want to capture the people, the RAW character of Encinitas," Wickersham says with a chuckle.
Though born and raised in the area, 22 year-old Lawrence Thomas now lives and works in San Francisco as an artist. Wickersham hopes his son's mixed media, graffiti style work will bring a youthful vitality into the mix.
"I want to bridge the gap between the older, long-time residents of Encinitas and the younger surfers and skaters," Wickersham says.
The show will culminate with a Completion Party, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on June 15.
"This is going to be a high energy party. I want people to feel the creative energy it took to create the show."
Wickersham's creativity extends beyond painting. He has garnered the sponsorship of Peter Grimm Ltd., Fitness Elite and Detours Salon whose contributions will fund the show. Gutz Productions will provide live music for the Completion Party, and Rosanna's Italian Deli will cater the event.
The 101 Artists' Colony is a volunteer-run arts center supported by the Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association and the Encinitas Commission for the Arts. The Colony features a performance venue, visual art gallery, and working studio space for artists. The gallery is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 760-632-9074 for information.
# # #
Olivenhain artist to show state coastal scenes at Del Mar Plaza
by Jennifer Simpson
Published April 5, 2002, Del Mar Times
He's painted the flora and fauna of Australia and sketched the Europe of Van Gogh and Monet, but for his latest inspiration local artist Grant Pecoff discovered there's no place like home.
In January, Pecoff began travelling the coast, sketching and photographing scenes from San Diego to Crescent City.
"After September 11, I realized I wanted to get to know my neighbors and experience the diversity of California," says Pecoff, a native of Olivenhain.
The "California Coastal Series," will be on display at the Del Mar Plaza from March 29 through April 24 where Pecoff has rented space. The artist will host a reception, open to the public, on Satuday, April 6 from 5 to 9 p.m.
The show will include scenes of the pier in Pismo Beach, the wharf in Monterrey, fishermen of Moro Bay, The Stinking Rose restaurant in San Francisco, Napa Valley, and perhaps a scene of Del Mar.
Since his return in the beginning of February, Pecoff has been painting feverishly.
Eleven canvases are complete, but Pecoff will be displaying 14 or 15 in the show. "I'm going to have to paint some on site," he laughs.
"From the golden beaches of San Diego, the cultural diversity of San Francisco and the towering redwoods of the Northern coast, California has always signified open dreams and endless possibilties," says Pecoff. And his vivid, bold, colorful, quirky style represents those ideals well.
The 28-year-old is one of those rare breeds of artists who earns his living as an artist. "It takes drive, and the knowing that you can do anything you want to in this world," he says.
Supportive family has also been important to Pecoff, whose parents always emphasized the limitless possibilities of life. "My father was sort of a mad scientist and entrepreneur."
Success also takes talent, and business sense, and from all accounts Pecoff has that as well. His European series recently sold out, and he pre-sold several paintings in his upcoming California show.
Pecoff will also release five or six paintings from his current show as limited edition prints, offering afficionados of his work another avenue for collecting.
Pecoff is well known for his paintings of wildlife, and he sells prints of his work in zoos nationwide.
Although Pecoff studied in San Francisco, he credits time at Palomar College with giving him the experience with painting and fostering his desire to be an artist.
Samples of Pecoff's works can be found at his website http://www.GrantPecoff.com.
# # #
Three-day walk to be celebration of life
by Jennifer Simpson
Published April 4, 2002, The Coast News
After surviving a year of surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and physical therapy most people would celebrate with a trip to Puerta Vallarta, but Encinitas resident Debby Simpson is celebrating with a 3-day, 60-mile walk from Carlsbad to San Diego.
Debby is participating in the Avon 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk this April, with her sister Jennifer and more than 4,000 others as a way to raise awareness, and money, for breast cancer research, and education.
"Cancer wasn't supposed to happen to me," says the 41 year old.
"We had already lost our mom in 1978 to stomach cancer, and lost our grandma in 1994 to liver cancer. Then in 1999 our granddad was diagnosed with lung cancer. I was sure we'd given our fair share to the disease."
Debby spent the year 2001 fighting breast cancer. She had surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, and lost all her hair. And even with the fear of needles she inherited from her mother, she kept a positive attitude. "I loved being bald," she says with a smile, "I didn't have to worry about styling my hair!"
As difficult as last year was for Debby, "I am one of the lucky ones," she says. "My breast cancer was detected early and I had the support of my family and friends, and a great team of doctors," she says.
One woman in eight is diagnosed with breast cancer each year, and more than 40,000 don't survive. For Debby, participating in the walk, and raising money for the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade is a way to help those who are not as fortunate.
"I couldn't think of a better way to celebrate my health," she says.
The walk takes place April 12-14, and participants will be walking through Encinitas on April 12.
Organized by fundraising event management company Palotta TeamWorks, the event benefits the Avon Breast Cancer Foundation, a 501c(3) charitable organization.
Each participant is asked to raise a minimum of $1,900 to participate in the walk. For more information, or to donate, please visit http://www.BeThePeople.com or call 800-825-1000.
## #
Salk Scientist runs to raise money to help fight cancer
by Jennifer Simspon
Published April 26, 2002, Del Mar Times
As if solving riddles which may lead to breakthrough cancer treatments isn't enough, Susan Forsburg, a scientist at the Salk Institute, has been training for the April 28 La Jolla Half Marathon as part of the Team In Training, raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Forsburg started running about a year ago. "My gym was closed," she laughs. And by August she had participated in her first 5K.
"Once you get into running, you learn about the Team In Training," says the Del Mar resident.
Known as TNT, or the purple wave because of the signature purple jacket, this program is for runners, cyclists, walkers, and triathletes at all levels. Participants benefit from expert training, team support, and race entries. In return, the Team raises money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, which funds research into causes and treatments of blood-related cancers.
In fact, Fosburg's lab has been funded in part by grants from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Her research focuses on understanding the control of DNA replication and the regulation of the cell cycle in a model genetic system: the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe.
"Understanding the mechanism that cells use to divide is fundamental to human health," says Forsburg. Cells that don't divide properly, manifest as birth defects, and cancer.
The TNT program has motivated Forsburg to continue running, and for a good cause.
"Aren't you supposed to do something big when you turn 40? This is my way to give back," she says. "And of course the real reason, purple is my favorite color!"
Another important aspect of the TNT program is that each participant is paired with an honored teammate, a very special individual who has battled or who is battling leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, myeloma or other blood-related cancers.
Forsburg has been partnered with Dylan, a 10-year old leukemia survivor.
"Dylan connects all of us to the reason TNT exists, and why its effort is so important. Helping great kids like Dylan is what research is really all about."
The job of the Honored Teammate and his/her family is to help us keep participants motivated on the road to the finish line.
"TNT runners have a saying," says Forsburg. "If you think 26.2 miles is hard, try chemotherapy. Try chemotherapy when you are 4 years old. Puts a whole new perspective on fitness running, doesn't it?"
To sponsor Susan, make checks payable to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and send them to Susan Forsburg, The Salk Institute, 10010 N. Torrey Pines Rd, La Jolla CA 92037. For more information, visit Susan's web page at http://pingu.salk.edu/~forsburg/TNT.html
# # #
STORIES FOR A SUMMER MOON Press Release for the 101 Artists’ Colony
by Jennifer Simpson
Published in The Coast News, North County Times and the Union Tribune
Encinitas, CA (July 17, 2001)-- Bring your imagination and gather ‘round the 101 Artists' Colony as storyteller Kris Mathes weaves tales, rhymes and songs about the full moon Saturday, August 4, 2001, 9 a.m to 12 noon at 25 East 'E' Street in Encinitas. This free event is geared towards children ages 6 to 11.
After the storytelling, participants, with imaginations sparked by stories and songs, will create drawings and paintings, then frame and hang their work for a special exhibit at the Colony's Student Art Gallery. To register, please drop by the Artists' Colony, or call 760-632-9074.
Sponsored by the Encinitas Commission for the Arts and The 101 Artists’ Colony, this event kicks of the first of the Colony's Saturday Art Festivals. The afternoon "art fest" featuring artists booths and folk music, will run until 5 p.m.
The 101 Artists' Colony, a volunteer-run arts center, is supported by the Downtown Encinitas Mainstreet Association and the Encinitas Commission for the Arts. The Colony features a performance venue, visual art gallery, and working studio space for artists. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 760-632-9074 for information.
# # #
New swim, resort wear shop slates opening in Del Mar
by Jennifer Simpson
Published March 29, 2002, Del Mar Times
She is coming to Del Mar. And if your looking for elegant, casual swim and resort wear, than the new retail shop, She, located on 15th Street, is the place to find it.
Set to open by April 1, the shop will feature not only resort wear, but an upscale line of casual wear as well. "It's the kind of clothes you might wear around your own pool if you're entertaining," says Kellie Pattalochi, who owns the shop with her husband Bob.
Kellie says their new business will also fill a niche in Del Mar by offering a line of swimwear with a more generous cut, rather than the Brazilian style popular in other Del Mar stores. "I've shopped for swimwear, and there is nothing for the older or middle-aged woman."
The store will also carry jewelry, beaded sandals, floppy hats and straw handbags.
This is the Pattalochi's first venture in the clothing industry, though they've owned several businesses over the years. In fact, they recently retired from their automotive paint business in Scottsdale, Arizona.
"We weren't quite ready to retire though," says Kellie.
The Pattalochis have owned their home in Del Mar for three years, and look forward to their new business venture.
# # #
Post a Comment