Blog

Why We're Giving Thanks: Big News!

“I awoke this morning with devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new.” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson

We received a surprise in the mail recently. The familiar letterhead from the Internal Revenue Service instinctively made me dread its contents. Instead, I was greeted with the unbelievable news that Art House Dallas had received non-profit status as a 501c3 public charity! I may or may not have jumped up and down by myself in my office.. 

I was so overwhelmed with gratitude once I realized what I was holding in my hands–mainly because I wasn’t expecting to hear back from the IRS until later in 2013. 

In many ways, this has been a year of waiting and learning patience in the process; so this fast answer (from the IRS of all places) was such an unexpected blessing for our organization. After more than two years of residing underneath Art House America, our Dallas branch is a grown up non-profit of its own! 

Last Thursday, we celebrated our two-year anniversary, we are indeed growing up! It was one of the first chilly nights of fall, but despite the cold drizzle outside, Vino 100 was full to the brim with wonderful friends of Art House. Intimate and cozy for conversations, the space was dimly lit, only brightened by the intermittent camera flash from our photo booth, which was perhaps the most fun aspect of the evening. We sipped on wine and munched on cheese, cupcakes, and cookies that were made by our very own Sarah Seay, founder of One Pink Cookie. At the end of the night, we pulled out tickets from mason jars announcing the winners of sought after giveaways! Throughout the evening, Emerson’s sentiment from above rang true as I looked around the room at all of the people present and felt “devout thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new,” who have each played a role in Art House Dallas’ story. Check out more photos from the event in this blog with pictures captured by Will Meier (Art House Intern, Summer 2011).

Blessings to you in this month of Thanksgiving, we have so much to be grateful for!  

 

Jenny White
Executive Director