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Contact:
Tera Leigh tera@teraleigh.com For Immediate Release AUTHOR AND ARTIST TERA LEIGH RECIPIENT OF HARLEQUIN "MORE THAN WORDS" AWARDHarlequin Enterprises Ltd. has formed a philanthropic program entitled "Harlequin More Than Words" (http://www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com) to enhance the well-being of women, and to support the causes that are meaningful to them. In Fall 2003, Harlequin solicited nominations of ordinary women who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities. Five women were chosen as award recipients, and Harlequin will make a donation of $10,000 to their chosen causes. Short stories inspired by their lives will be written by a selection of Harlequin's top-notch authors and the collection will be published in October, 2004, and Harlequin will promote the winners and their charity throughout 2004 through press coverage about the women and their charities. One of five recipients of the award is author and artist Tera Leigh, founder of the Memory Box Artist Program, Inc. (http://www.memoryboxes.org/), a non profit charity that provides memory boxes to hospitals for their infant bereavement programs free of charge. In addition to the $10,000 donation, Harlequin will publicize Tera's work with the program, and encourage women to craft in support of the program throughout 2004. This will give the craft industry unprecedented exposure in the crucial 18 - 36 year old market. In addition, Tera will be presented at a "press day" event in October 2004, when she will unveil the book of short stories to the press, as well as to answer questions about crafts and her charity. The Memory Boxes Artist Program encourages women to use their creativity to decorate boxes for hospitals around the world. Many participants who have never crafted will learn a craft in order to create boxes that grieving mothers can use to hold photos and other mementos of their babies' short lives. The program was founded by Tera in June of 1998 as an all-volunteer effort to provide boxes for families of infants who pass away in the hospital so that the families do not leave the hospital empty-handed without any representation of that child's life. The purpose of the program is to affirm the baby's life for the family. Each box is created with great love and a sincere wish to reach out in support and understanding. The artists hope the boxes bring each family comfort and the knowledge that many people understand. They know each infant is special and very, very loved, regardless of how long the child lived. To date, the program has provided free of charge more than 53,000 boxes for infant bereavement programs. # # # ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: AWARD PROGRAM: The Harlequin More Than Words program is responsible for the administration of Harlequin Enterprises Ltd.'s philanthropic initiatives dedicated to supporting causes that are of concern to women. If you would like to find out more about the program or would like to nominate an ordinary woman who makes an extraordinary contribution to her community, please visit http://www.HarlequinMoreThanWords.com. Contact Marleah Stout for further information about the program at (416) 391-7009. AWARD RECIPIENT: Award-winning author and artist Tera Leigh is known for her promotion of the craft industry in the mainstream press, and belief that creativity enhances lives. She is the author of The Complete Book of Decorative Painting (North Light Books), which the American Library Association has called "A bible for novices and experienced painters" and named it to its "Top Ten Craft/Hobby Books of 2002" list. The book was also honored with the Crafts/Craftrends Award in the painting category in 2002. She is the author of How to be Creative if You Never Thought You Could (North Light Books), which was released in April 2003. Her unprecedented book-tour in support of the book included network interviews on affiliate morning shows. Tera's next book, also for North Light Books, will be published in Spring 2004 with a companion product line produced by Ranger Industries. In 2003, she was a columnist for Paintworks, Country Marketplace, CNA, Quick & Easy Painting, and Tole World magazines. In 2004, she will write for Create & Decorate, PaintWorks, Quick & Easy Painting, and Decorative Artist Workbook SIP magazines, among others. Her original designs have been published in over a dozen painting and home décor magazines since 1998. Tera is member of HIA, and on the 2004/2005 Board of Directors for the Society of Craft Designers. You can learn more about Tera at her Web site at http://www.teraleigh.com. She is available for interview at Phone: (207) 252-8271 or via e-mail at tera@teraleigh.com. Photographs are available for print publications.
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 All artwork is copyright of the artist (c) Tera Leigh (2001 - 2008) in accordance with title 17, United States Code. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Images on this site are for viewing purposes only. Wrongful downloading for commercial or personal use will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. |