November 1, 2011
Dear Friend:
     On behalf of The Scarab Club, I am writing to ask that you include us in your 2011 year-end giving
plans.  The Scarab Club depends more than ever on your support to continue building maintenance,
operations, and leading events.  Membership dues cover approximately one-quarter of our operating
expenses.  Contributions beyond membership dues assist with ongoing advancements.
     As we approach the end of 2011, SC members should take pride in the positive growth that has
occurred.  Throughout the year, the SC continued to make building improvements while organizing
significant exhibitions along with quality programming.  In 2011, the SC partnered with local cultural
institutions, creating new relationships and collaborations that further our mission to build a stronger arts
community in our region.  
     In 2011, the SC Artist-in-Residence Mike McMath restored the concealed wall fresco in the ladies
room while adding a faux marble and wood grain finish to the interior counter and partition.  The SC is
currently pursuing funds which will support energy savings associated with window and roof insulation. 
As caretakers of our historic 83-year old building, the SC is committed to fulfill its mission to “maintain a
club house for the exhibition of arts, providing facilities to artists for the advancement of their craft and
for other activities directed toward education in the arts.”  While seeking funds to support bricks and
mortar projects can be challenging, the SC has made building repair and maintenance one of the
organization‟s main priorities for 2012. 
      During the 2011 exhibition season the SC showcased highly regarded local artists including Lester
Johnson and Ronald Neff.  The SC also honored women who have made significant contributions to the
community during the „Women Image Culture‟ exhibition.  In 2011, Maggie Allessee was honored for
her long dedication to supporting and promoting dance programs, both locally and nationally. She also
serves on numerous boards for area non-profits. The second honoree Anne Fracassa is a respected Detroit
artist known for her generosity and support of other artists and organizations. The late Carolyn Keith was
the grants manager for the city of Detroit and worked tirelessly to aid organizations that provide
programming for the arts. She leaves a legacy of programs which continue to inspire and benefit countless
people throughout the city. 
     The SC looks forward to 2012 when the gallery will feature exciting new exhibitions such as the juried
„Wax‟ (March 28th– May 13th) and „Mixed Up‟ (June 27th– July 29th).  „Wax‟ will showcase encaustic
painting. Encaustic as a medium (utilizing the medium of beeswax, mixed with colored pigments) has
been used by artists for nearly 2000 years and has seen a recent resurgence.   „Mixed Up‟ will feature
collage, mixed media, and assemblages. 
     To continue to fulfill its mission to „educate and enlighten its members and the community in the arts‟
the SC also offered a variety of programs in 2011.  Now in its third season, the annual five part lecture
series, „American Aesthetic‟ Clyde Burroughs Dinner Lecture Series on American Art & Design
featured topics such as the art and association of Robert Henri and John Sloan, E.F. Caldwell & Company‟s
lighting and metalwork in Detroit and the career of America‟s first art historian William Henry Goodyear. 
     The SC continued to sponsor free portfolio reviews as well, which are enormously well received by the
art community.  In addition, the SC hosted the „Tiny Scarabs‟ children‟s classical concert series which
complements our successful Chamber Music Concert Series (now in its 14thseason).   In 2012, the SC
plans to offer more portfolio reviews as well as other complementary programming.  In addition, the SC
is eager to unveil the much-awaited educational kiosk that will explore the life and careers of those who
signed or painted the 2nd floor wood beams. 
     All of the above-mentioned programming could not take place without partnerships and collaborations. 
Throughout its long history, the SC has played a vital role in partnering with local cultural institutions in
the promotion of the arts.   This past year, the SC furthered its management-training through staff and
board participation in the two-year program Capacity Building: Detroit (ending in 2012) run by the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.   Besides the SC‟s participation in this program, we are one
of six organizations to join the Financial Systems System Alliance funded by the Kresge Foundation and
Ford Foundation in partnership with the Michigan Nonprofit Association which began in 2011.   The
program is designed to “strengthen the capacity of Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan (CASM)
members, by providing financial and administrative resources including educational programs and tools;
technical assistance; and financial/transactional management”.  In 2012, the SC will be implementing
recommendations made through a thorough financial assessment of the organization. 
     Furthermore, the SC continues to participate in the Michigan Cultural Data Project, which helps arts,
and cultural organizations improve their financial management and services.  By partaking in pilot
programs such as CASM‟s Financial Systems Alliance, the SC board of directors and staff persists in its
endeavors to find new opportunities and solutions to face challenges associated with these difficult
economic times.
     Lastly, I re-emphasize the level of pride we should take in the SC and the many achievements realized
in 2011.  For further information about the great things happening at the SC please view our 2010-2011
Annual Report here or request a hard copy by calling 313-831-1250. 
Let us continue these endeavors by offering your support.  As we approach the end of 2011, I am asking
you to show your support for the growth of our organization and the local art community by including us
in your year-end giving plans.  The Scarab Club depends more than ever on the support of its members to
continue to realize the goals of our founders.  You can help by filling out the form attached to this letter
and submit with your donation today.

     Thank you in advance for your continued support.

Sincerely,
Christine Renner
Executive Director
The Scarab Club

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