The launch of VALCO is a great excuse for a party! Please join us at Katherine Mulherin Art Projects (1086 Queen Street West in Toronto, just west of Ossington Street) on May 12, 2005 between 6-9 pm. Representatives from CARFAC Ontario, Torys and PBLO will all be on hand to introduce the new partnership, and complimentary food and refreshments will be provided. Come and show your support for this vital initiative.

VALCO is specifically designed for visual and media artists, who can consult with Torys lawyers about questions in fields such as copyright, commercial, contract, and tax law. This service is available throughout the province: Toronto-based artists can attend the meeting in person, and artists outside of Toronto will be accommodated by phone. The only requirement is a valid CARFAC Ontario membership card.

CARFAC Ontario (www.carfacontario.ca) is the association of professional visual and media artists in Ontario. Members believe that artists, like professionals in other fields, should be paid for their work and share equitably in profits from their art practice. The work of CARFAC Ontario is to develop policies, publications and services that assist artists, galleries, curators and art patrons in creating an economic climate that benefits all visual artists.

Torys LLP (www.torys.com) is an international business law firm with more than 330 New York and Toronto lawyers. Torys strength lies in working with clients on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance, and major litigation matters. In addition, the firm has expertise in a wide range of other practice areas in order to serve the needs of a diverse base of clients.

Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) (www.probononet.on.ca) brokers partnerships and provides strategic guidance, training, and tailored technical assistance to groups, law firms, law associations, etc that are dedicated to addressing the legal needs of low-income and disadvantaged individuals as well as the communities and charitable organizations that serve them. PBLO brokers relationships between service providers (e.g., community legal aid clinics, community-based organizations) on the one hand, and law firms and lawyers associations on the other.

To RSVP or for media inquiries, please contact Kristian Clarke, Co-Director of CARFAC Ontario, at kc@carfacontario.ca or (416) 340-8850 / 1 (800) 890-8850 toll free.