“Being with each other is what really makes that out-of-the-ordinary, magical experience in the classes we take together. And I wouldn’t have that without PHAME. ”

Dear friends,

I like being an artist.

In my photography class, I like the free-spirited feeling of taking pictures. When I’m writing songs, I feel like I’m in a special place.

Art makes me feel like something wonderful is happening, something almost magical, no matter what else is going on in my life.

Each piece brings out a new side of me. And each piece is a connection to my community.

When I wrote “Come Into My Garden” for The Poet’s Shadow, I had never written an opera song before. It felt a little bit different. I was so proud that my songs were successful in the show—and watching my own friends sing my words so beautifully touched my heart.

I am writing to you to ask you to support the joy and freedom of creating something—and of creating something together.

When I started writing, I mostly wrote poems for cards for my family and friends. Then at PHAME, I started turning my poetry into songs. Songwriting is my favorite class now, and I love it because we do it together. We bring out each other’s talent.

To me, art is all about community. And you are an important part of our community.

I hope you’ll consider making a contribution of $100 or more this year—the PHAME board is matching new and increased gifts up to $5,000. You can help PHAME provide even more classes and more support for students in the new year.

My community has gotten so much bigger in the 15 years that I’ve been here. My childhood friends introduced me to PHAME in 2004, and we still see each other here every week. My girlfriends and I like to do the same stuff you probably do for fun—go shopping, get coffee together—and we choose to take some of our PHAME classes together. I met my boyfriend performing in a PHAME show years ago. It’s so much fun to make friends that have the same talents and artistic interests that you have.

Being with each other is what really makes that out-of-the-ordinary, magical experience in the classes we take together. And I wouldn’t have that without PHAME. If I didn’t have PHAME, I wouldn’t feel as good about myself and all the things I want to do.

The more I write, the more my creativity comes out. It makes me feel good about myself, and it makes me want to accomplish my dream of being a writer.

Sometimes, I feel like I am a writer already. I wrote a line in The Poet’s Shadow, “Come see the brightness of your future,” and when my friend sang it onstage, I felt like I really do have a bright future to look forward to.

When you make a contribution to PHAME, you make those electrifying creative moments possible.

Please make your gift today.

Warmly,
Julie Jones
PHAME Student

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Support the Joy of Creating Something Together—A Message from PHAME Student Julie