Oh Anna,

I love that picture so much.  I really think that when I am discouraged it will truly inspire me to keep working. I have a thought.  I would like to use the picture "My First Tooth Brush" as an official picture for Healthy Smiles for Haiti.  Most organizations have something and I really think it is ideal. 

In closing thank you so much.  She hangs in the room where I do my  work and praying for Haiti.  Since going to Haiti I rarely buy things for myself and discourage others from buying for me;  so this is so special. You can not possibly know what it means to me.  You are a stranger who touched my heart deeply - now you are a friend.

Georgina Cosentino,
Healthy Smiles for Haiti
Hamilton, Ont.

2004

Dear Anna,

As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded of all of the gifts in our lives for which we should be thankful. You have been granted a gift; the ability to transform a blank canvas into an inspirational piece of work, through which you have managed to capture the personalities, mood and demeanor of your subjects. You have clearly embraced this gift.

For those of us who have not been granted the gift of an artful eye and hand; we can be thankful that we are able to enjoy the fruits of yours. We look forward to your upcoming creations, as they inspire each of us to excel in the gifts that we have been granted.

Regards,

The team at Brendan Wood International 

Brendan Wood International

Toronto.New York.London.Bermuda
 

2004

Anna,

Wow, thank you very, very much. I received the charcoal artwork of Mick Jagger. It is really beautiful.

Thanks again,

Zsolt Sarvary-Bene,

Photographer
New York, NY
 

2004
 

Hi –

I really enjoyed your website!  Your pictures are wonderful.

Dr. Joseph Torok

Rochester Institute of Technology
Rochester, NY
 

2004

Hi Anna,

Seeing the drawing of Katrina for the first time took my breath away.  I absolutely love it! I immediately sent it to everyone in my office and all of my friends.

You have such a wonderful gift.  I am not the only one that feels that way either. Many of my co-workers have come into my office to tell me how talented you are and to ask if you do this for a living.  I like all of your drawings.  Just to name a few of my favourites are "A brotherly smirk", "Toronto skyline" and "Boy's best friend".

Thanks, 

Vanessa Tari-Martinez
St. Joseph's Healthcare Foundation,
Hamilton, Ont.

2004

Anna,

The pastel painting of Katie is going to be in our family for a long time . Thank you very much for taking the time to recreate a moment in Katie's life for us .

Mary and Larry Thorlakson
Katie Thorlakson  /  Women's Canadian National Soccer Team
Langley, British Columbia
 

2004

My name is Mark Sponer.  I found your link through a search of the Sponer name.  I am guessing you married a Sponer from Canada?  There are lots of Sponer's in Arkansas.

I enjoyed looking at your art work on your website, they are wonderful!

Mark Sponer,
Arkansas, U.S.

2005

On behalf of Nicholas and the staff at Pure NV, I wish to sincerely thank you for your donation of "Precious" and also the personal original art piece; which were both auctioned off . Your generous gifts certainly helped in achieving our goal at our silent auctions for the McMaster Children's Hospital and for the Environmental Defence Canada Fund for the period from 2004 to 2005.

We at Pure NV Salon and Spa, along with the children and the earth thank you again for your generosity.

Sincerely, Vincent Randazzo, (Managing Partner)
Pure NV Salon
Hamilton, Ont.

2005

Dear Anna:

It's wonderful to be able to appreciate your art work through the internet.  Thankfully, however, we have been lucky to view some of your creations in person.  What a great talent you have!  The graduation picture of our daughter, Laura is fantastic! 

My husband and I believe your creations are a wonderful contribution to the world of art.

All the best to you and hope to see more expressions of your passion.

Sincerely,
 

Carmen Varga

Dundas, Ontario

2005

Thank You for sharing your website of your pastel & charcoal paintings with me.  Your art work has given me a greater appreciation of the beauty that is always present but we often forget about as we go about our busy lives.

Congratulations on your first place prize at the 2004 Ancaster Fall Fair!  I'm happy for you and admire your courage to change directions to pursue your obvious talent and first love.

Sincerely,

Dr. Catherine Ballyk
Brantford Hospital
Brantford, Ont.
 

2005

Well Anna,

All we can say is that your drawings keep on getting better and better! The picture of Melissa in her Irish soccer uniform is just so beautiful!

The detail, the highlights in her hair, her pose, her emotions in her face of determination, her hands that are showing her power and speed in her movement, just everything!

As you know this is Melissa's senior/final year with the “Fighting Irish” of Notre Dame, so definitely this portrait will be especially important and valuable to Melissa and ourselves as a memento of her great accomplishments in life.
 

Thank you once again for giving us one of Melissa's “Expressions in her life” to hold on to forever.

We wish you continued success in all your endeavors.

Peter and Ann-Marie Tancredi / Tandi Homes Construction
Melissa Tancredi - Women's Canadian National Soccer Team
Ancaster, Ont.
 

2004

Hello,

Wow, beautiful paintings, i would love to see more of them.

Jason Preston
Ottawa, Ont.

2006

We would like to thank you for your support in 2005.  We appreciate how much effort you went to in supporting what we do here.  I am continuously amazed at the generosity of a few very special people.  That also goes for the person who won the painting in the raffle, Louise from London.  And seeing how much I loved the painting she showed up at my door and begged me to take it back and keep it in my home, which brought me to tears.  The painting raised 450 dollars and built a new raccoon cage and also medication and other much needed items.

The painting is now sitting in my bedroom waiting to be hung above my bed, so I can see it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.  It is one of my most cherished and favourite things in our house.

Without the help of people in our community I could not continue to do what I love to do.  We appreciate all the help, donations to our fundraising efforts, and to our centre.  Just knowing there are people out there that care about wildlife makes our efforts a little easier..

Myself and all the animals that come into care thank you.

Debbie Beacon
Beacon of Light Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre,
Nanticoke, Ontario
 

2005

My name is Christina, you came to our school, Mother Teresa, and you showed our class some tips on how to sketch. Thanks !!

Christina Romano, 
Mother Teresa School
Hamilton Ont.

2005
 

Oh my gosh.... I just fell off my chair. What a beautiful painting of Rylie !!!


Maggie Alvarado
Cookie Lee Jewelry Director

Sacramento, California

2008
 

Hello Anna,

I recently came across your website -  I like it - and would like to permanently add your site to our website gallery links directory.

   I would like to thank you for the wonderful portrait . 
  You have a remarkable talent and I appreciate you sharing it with me.

  Sincerely,

  Mayor Larry Di Ianni,
  City of Hamilton, Ontario
  2003-2006

  2005
    

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Articles

 

Hamilton Mountain News April 2005 http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com

April 30 /2005, (Solo) art exhibit combined with a silent auction and dance  displayed a series of pastel artworks  titled "A Tribute to Haiti" Held by Healthy Smiles for Haiti charitable fund raising organization. The pastel paintings have been reproduced and are presently available for sale as note cards through the organization  (all proceeds go to Healthy Smiles for Haiti).   www.healthysmilesforhaiti.org     Article written by Mark Newman

THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2005
www.hamiltonspectator.com

Go Section... Brush strokes

Article written by Elaine Hujer - Freelance writer for The Hamilton Spectator

Special Thanks to Jeff Mahoney - Columnist & Reporter
 for The Hamilton Spectator

THE HAMILTON SPECTATOR WEDNESDAY, May16, 2007  Annual Fundraising Gala for the Women's Art Association of Hamilton Scholarship Fund                                                                         Go section... Around town Article Correction: names listed starting from right to left    Press Reviews:

The Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area  (BIA) Presents the STREET CANVAS  -  ARTISTS CONTEST (2007) www.downtownhamilton.org     Judged by   Anna Sponer/Artist - Representing Arts Hamilton Along with   Chief Jim Kay-Hamilton Fire Department, Steve Barley-Hamilton Hydro,   Councillor Bob Bratina, and Marcel Guite   First Place    Alfred Joyce  "Studio Tour and Still Life "     2nd & 3rd Place   Candis Flesher-Dodds   "Blossoming" & "Emergence" (Butterfly gallery collection) _______________________________   First Official Unveiling - Downtown Hamilton - King William Street - Oct. 23/2007 BIA Beautifying the  Downtown Hamilton Streets

Arts Hamilton Newsletter Oct./Nov. 2007 Arts Council for the City of Hamilton since 1973, Hamilton, Ont. www.artshamilton.ca/index.html

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Photos from Various Events:
 

Provincial Kick-Off of Ontario Heritage Week February 15 2008 The Scottish Rite Club  Hamilton, Ont.
The Chairman of the Trust The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander	Ontario Heritage Trust A pleasing observation from Ontario Minister of Culture The Honourable Aileen Carroll  Gore Park  Yesterday & Today Soft pastel painting	Selected art works displayed by local artists Theme Hamilton's Cultural Heritage

The Honourable Lincoln M. Alexander
	Annual Juried Exhibition Women's Art Association of Hamilton - 2008 Opening Reception Fellow Artists - Maria Sarkany, Ann Kloppenburg &  Heather Horton www.artgalleryofhamilton.on.ca

Announcements: 

Canadian Women's National Soccer Team         Melissa Tancredi Canadian National Soccer Team (#14) & Formerly University of Notre Dame  Katie Thorlakson  and  Candace Chapmen
Canada VS Brazil in Toronto, BMO Stadium July 10th, 2008 Friendly Game before the Olympics in Beijing
Melissa Tancredi - the first to sign the canvas Candace Chapman  - surprise greeting after the game
Autographed by members of the  Canadian Women's National Soccer Team Thank you Team Canada! Special thanks to Melissa Tancredi for making this possible "Canadian Women's National Soccer Team, Beijing 2008"  24" x 24" oil on Canvas   Signed Limited Addition Giclee Prints on Canvas (for this art work) are available for sale Please visit  Expressions of Life Gallery

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Exhibits  - including donations     (from past to present)

Skyward Gaze Pastel Painting        Permanently displayed                 at    Mother Teresa's Elementary School     Hamilton, Ontario       Donated 2005                        Angela   Pastel Painting                           First Place Prize   2004 Ancaster Fall Fair     Ancaster, Ontario
Beacon of light wildlife centre Caring for the orphaned and injured wildlife http://www.freewebs.com/beaconoflight/   2005 This painting was donated to raise funds to help care for the wildlife in need. Permanently displayed at the Beacon of Light Wildlife Centre. 953 Concession 2, Nanticoke, Ontario
The McMaster Children's Hospital  and the Environmental Defense Canada Fund   A Charitable Fundraising Silent Auction    Organized by Pure NV Hair Salon & Spa Upper James St., Hamilton, Ont. http://www.purenv.ca	March - April  2004  "Precious"  charcoal painting ************* March - April  2005   Personalized 19"x 24" Charcoal Portrait The above artworks were showcased and donated to the cause
Solo Art Exhibitions  presented for... Healthy Smiles for Haiti  www.healthysmilesforhaiti.org   Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall 416 Mohawk Rd. E. Hamilton, Ont. April 30 /2005      April 21 /2007 Showcased a Series of 10 Pastel Art Paintings Titled A Tribute to Haiti
	Arts Hamilton Jackson Square Mall Gallery, Hamilton, Ontario http://www.artshamilton.ca/index.html     Members  Exhibitions June / 05 “Venice”  October / 05 “Haitian Landscape” ,“Pope John Paul II” November / 05 “White Trillium” , “Audrey Hepburn” December / 05 “Canoe Trip” ,“First Day of School” January / 06 “Mountain View” , “ Haitian Seashore” July / 06 "First Day of School" December /06 "Serenity"