Introducing Giwaza - formerly Artmigos.com
We are proud to introduce Giwaza - an online gift registry for art. The founders of Giwaza launched Artmigos.com in June 2007 with rave reviews, and after receiving feedback from many of you, we've improved our image, website functionality, and user security. We invite you to explore Giwaza.com and learn how easy it is to initiate a gift of art. Recently launched, Giwaza.com contains new features that make it a snap to:
- invite friends and family to contribute toward a gifting event
- browse art posted by artists and galleries
- create a personalized web page describing your gift and event
- safely collect and pool funds online
- communicate with participants
We thank you for your past support and feedback and invite you to visit our new site. Giwaza provides a convenient and safe method for managing collective giving. We collect and safekeep funds through secure online payments and provide an up-to-date list of contributors. If you, or someone you know has an upcoming special occasion consider using Giwaza to give the gift of art.
Art - a Way of Life
At Giwaza we believe art is an ideal gift and we are excited to provide a service that fosters art collecting, giving and receiving. Long lasting and meaningful, art provides enjoyment for many years. Its unique ability to evoke emotions makes it one of the most personal gifts imaginable.
We are proud that our service encourages art collection. From independent artists to experienced dealers and galleries, we are excited to partner with art sellers everywhere and look forward to bringing art to all. Start a gift of art now.
Featured Artist - Todd Berman
Todd is an artist who travels the world and his local community, sketchbook in hand. His art shows the colorful eccentricity bound within moments and individuals, depicting scenes of people coming together to improve the world. Todd encourages people to create small, personalized drawings which he collages into larger collaborative art works.
When he's not circumnavigating the globe, you'll find Todd working as a public school substitute teacher, living in San Francisco’s eclectic Mission District neighborhood - painting scenes that capture a chaotic sense of community and collaboration in bright, expressionistic drawing, painting and collage.
Named San Francisco County 2006 Bike Commuter of the Year, Todd also uses his two wheels to bring his art to events, parks, schools, watering holes and protests - wherever communities already exist or are just starting to emerge.
Todd was born in the hills of West Virginia, grew up on Long Island, NY, and moved to San Francisco in 1998. He has a BA in Public Policy from Brown University and continues his arts education through programs at U.C. Berkeley Extension and the San Francisco Art Institute.
His art often hangs on the walls of local community spaces, offices and homes. Todd's virtual gallery is always open at TheArtDontStop.org. Art from his around-the-world adventure is being unveiled on his travel site, Ephemerratic.com. Also, visit Todd's gallery page at Giwaza.
The Perfect Wedding Gift
Giwaza co-founders Andrew and April Damron in Yountville, California registered for a piece of art for their wedding.
“My husband and I used Giwaza to register for a landscape oil on canvas. It’s truly a gift we will cherish forever. Our friends and family expressed excitement at the ability to contribute towards such a personal gift. They were also amazed at how easy the process was. This was truly the gift of a lifetime, one we would not have bought on our own.” ~ April Damron
The piece the Damrons selected, “Oak Shadows” by Napa based artist Kathy O’Leary, is the first oil painting in their small art collection. They were able to work with a local gallery to hold the art and easily arranged final payment and pick-up after the wedding. Enjoyed daily, it is displayed in their family room, a constant reminder of their marriage and their loved ones who support it.
Giwaza Streamlined Collective Gifting
Initiating a gift using Giwaza is easy and convenient. Our unique online system provides a secure, step-by-step process that walks you through the set-up of your own gift and removes the hassle of safely collecting funds. We understand that collective giving is a process and sometimes it can take months to plan for and execute the perfect gift. We are happy to initiate your gift now, even if you haven’t decided on the piece yet! E-mail invitations can be sent to potential contributors anytime throughout the process and new invitees are welcomed at anytime. Learn more at How it Works. Contact us for more information at info@giwaza.com.
Partner Art Sellers
Our firm belief is that many who would love to own art have dismissed the possibility of doing so simply because it seemed too expensive in the past. Art is an extremely personal gift and comes in all shapes and forms and that is why Giwaza supports art transactions with any artist, anywhere. We provide the convenience of browsing art posted by partner art sellers.
To provide a diverse art selection we are continually expanding our database of partner art sellers. Please forward this to anyone you may know who is interested in collecting, selling or gifting art. We’d like to add them to our website as a partner art seller. It’s an easy and free way to network, build business, and promote art. Visit Giwaza or contact us at info@giwaza.com for more information.
