Most people who will read this won’t need me to explain what SEAF is, or why it’s important to our community. You know and love the festival in both similar and different ways than I do, and have your own reasons to cherish and support it. Through constant growth, different venues, directions, and focuses, SEAF has been a fixture in many of our lives for over 10 years.
What I like most about the Seattle Erotic art Festival is that it provides opportunity for people to experience erotic art in ways that generally aren’t available to the public, and to be deeply, often profoundly affected by that experience. This includes the patrons, guests, and volunteers, often including the artists who participate as well.
Moreso than many a conventional art festival or gallery show, I believe that SEAF has and will continue to transform the lives of the people who discover and honor their humanity through the unique opportunities it presents. This event holds a special, complex place in my heart and the hearts of many, many others both in the Seattle area and far beyond.
[singlepic id=4781 w=240 float=left]Last year, in its 10th anniversary event, the Seattle Erotic Art Festival stretched significantly, spanning to two weekends. It was incredibly successful from the point of view of reaching out to more people, giving them an opportunity to learn about the Festival and the Foundation for Sex Positive Culture, the 501(c)(3) organization which puts the Festival on.
While expanding has broadened SEAF’s reach, it has also made our operating capital extremely low. We have revenue all year long and are budgeted to return a small surplus this year, but our current lack of cash flow means that our management and creative leaders (including myself) are spending too much time averting small crises over money rather than on delivering the event to our community.
We have incorporated much of the feedback received regarding what our patrons want and what new things you’d like to see. As a creative team, we are designing the whole Festival to be more interactive and soulful, having intimate settings and ambient performances rather than a large stage show, and showcasing the artwork consistently throughout the event. Through this process I am often giddy with excitement at what we have in store for you.
With that said, I would like to take this opportunity to remind you that we are always gratefully accepting donations of any amount through the following avenues:
- Checks mailed to FSPC, 1602 15th Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119
- You can donate by credit card over the phone by calling 206.274.4525
- Or online through amazon payments http://www.thefspc.org/support/
Please also consider becoming a member of the Art Activist Society for as little as $250. This is a way for you to help us now, and also enjoy the benefits of gifts that keep on giving, which include access to next year’s Art Activists Black Tie Affair, the annual Art Activist appreciation event of which I recently directed performances and performed.
Your donations to the FSPC are tax deductible, and will not stop just at helping us ensure that our beloved SEAF happens for 2013 — having a successful Festival also furthers the Foundations mission to promote the many ways sex is beneficial through education, outreach, the arts, advocacy, and research programs that serve the public.
Thank you for considering my request! Please do what you can to help – share this post, donate money, and encourage your friends to do the same.
Courtnee Papastathis / Performance Director
Foundation for Sex Positive Culture
courtnee@seattleerotic.org