Drawing with Duke W.

As America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775, the Marines are forward deployed to win our nation’s battles swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. We fight on land, sea and air, as well as provide forces and detachments to naval ships and ground operations. Marines have a long history of developing expeditionary doctrine and innovations that set the example while leading other countries in multinational military operations. These unique capabilities and leadership qualities make the Marines our nation’s first line of defense.

Dedicated to preserving and promoting excellence in representational art, Oil Painters of America’s primary mission is to advance the cause of traditional, representational fine art by drawing attention to the lasting value of fine drawing, color, composition and the appreciation of light. Through our national and regional shows, educational programs, scholarships and marketing efforts, OPA has become a leader in the art community and a driving force in the new Renaissance.

NOAPSociety members share their individual knowledge, strive for artistic excellence in their work while focusing public attention on the lasting value of original Oil and Acrylic Paintings throughout the United States and worldwide.

The California Art Club’s primary purposes are to promote the fine arts in the fields of painting, drawing, and sculpture referred to as traditional and representational art, with a special emphasis placed on the academic traditions and craftsmanship established by the Club’s founders, to produce and promote art programs and exhibitions that foster understanding, interpretation, and display of the traditional art heritage, and to furnish educational opportunities in the fine arts for the benefit of artists, scholars, collectors, and the general community for the cultural enrichment of the community and for the promotion of California history and heritage.

The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a non-profit, 501(c)3 organization, is one of the largest existing organizations for writers and illustrators. It is the only professional organization specifically for those individuals writing and illustrating for children and young adults in the fields of children’s literature, magazines, film, television, and multimedia. Our mission is to support the creation and availability of quality children’s books around the world. We accomplish this by fostering a vibrant community of individuals who bring books for young readers to the public including writers, illustrators, translators, editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers, bloggers, enthusiasts and others. We provide education and support for these individuals and the community through our awards, grants, programs and events. We strive to increase the quality and quantity of children’s books in the marketplace, and act as a consolidated voice for writers and illustrators of children's books worldwide.