Media Contact:
Annina Collier
(405) 321-9000, ext. 215
acollier@oaiquartz.org

Arts Institute Fund Drive Kicks Off April 22nd
Grassroots Campaign Supports Arts at Quartz Mountain

The 2008 Oklahoma Arts Institute Fund Drive will kick off Tues., April 22, with a volunteer rally at the Altus Public Library. The annual event raises over $20,000 each year for the Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI). This two-week academy in June provides training with award-winning artists for Oklahoma high school students in the visual, performing, and literary arts.

Over 60 local volunteers will trek door-to-door, soliciting donations that provide vital support for the Oklahoma Arts Institute (OAI), a non-profit organization. Last year, over 250 Altus-area donors contributed to the drive, for a total donation of over $26,000.

The OAI Fund Drive will conclude with a reception honoring the accepted students and drive volunteers on Thurs., May 8 at Altus' NBC Bank, hosted by bank chairman and OAI board member Ken Fergeson. At that time, all the Fund Drive donations will be tallied and the grand total will be announced.

The OAI Fund Drive is co-chaired by OAI board members Donna Hinton and Jacquelyn Parrish. Helon LaGree, OAI emeritus board member, has been a long-time volunteer and supporter, along with fellow board members Holley Urbanski and Jeff Wilmes. If you would like to volunteer for the drive or contribute to the fund, contact Shana Rutz at (405) 321-9000, ext. 223 or srutz@oaiquartz.org.