We begin this letter with our thanks for those patrons who could no longer be with us. The resounding spirit has always been that the 4-sim SL Globe Theatre would fight to be around — and, there are many who donated and have passed away, hoping that they might survive through their contributions to SL Shakespeare or Primtings.

Since our time of passing is due to be in the same month as that of a major RL luminary, our Artistic Director Ina Centaur, has an anecdote to share:

“Once upon a time, after one of those fundraising rounds, the avatar of someone rich and famous in RL contacted me. The patron criticized me for paying too much for SL and attempting to do everything myself, but helped donate enough (through several alt’s) to help save the Shakespeare and Primtings sims.

“In early 2009, I received a mysterious package by mail in RL — an iPhone 3G. It was rather anonymized, but I thanked the patron by IM — and, he told me that that was what I should be putting my time into. He also said that he created iTunes so that independent creators could share their creations and even turn it into a viable business — something that could exist without being dependent on donations.

“Was it really Steve Jobs? I kept to our policy of respecting the privacy of our patrons, so I did not inquire further. Instead, I wanted to discover this from the other side — to be able to meet him in RL, of my own accord, for having done something great on iOS. I didn’t get to do that yet, but I knew two weeks ago, when he passed away, that this SL dream was over… But, it was beautiful while it lasted.”

There’s always the mystery and the hope that what we do here would reach out and change the lives of our audience – whomever they are, whether rich and famous or a moviestar or just yourself.

For a while, we held onto the odd notion that the creations in Second Life might get to live on beyond its usual time. It’s a childlike wish best summarized by the parable from E.B. White’s Charlotte’s Web – it’s hope that Wilbur the Pig might survive, as the world sees its wonder and magic via the brilliance of one small spider’s web.

But, all things come to an end, and it’s only in fairy tales that one small spider like Charlotte could manage to convey her message and save Wilbur before her death. In Second Life, our ventures have survived many passings – from patrons to founders to prospective actors. But, we simply do not have the significant reach to be saved.

The Shakespeare Primtings sLiterary and Skin City sims will go down on Oct 29 or thereabouts. The process in which sims are deactivated is not usually punctual – we aren’t sure exactly when the executioners would finally pull the plug, but when they do, it will be the end of our Second Life.

We thank you for having witnessed the short duration of this virtual miracle. Adieu.

RIP.
sLiterary, 2007-2011
Primtings, 2008-2011
The 4-Sim SL Globe Theatre and the SL Shakespeare Company – 2008 to 2011

And, if you wish, here’s the other notecard with details about what happened and why Ina Centaur chose to quit: (EOL SL Shakespeare and the Reasons to Leave SL)

The Globe has been silent the year so far, as we figure out what to do on the new tier costs — if anything we can do. Primtings valiantly raised the needed amount to maintain its tier in time, but the 4-sim arts mecca infrastructure of sLiterary is in danger.

It seems there’s a limit to the funds an organization can raise in Second Life for a purely inworld cause. Pooling all efforts together, we were only able to fundraise the costs of two full sims — focusing the fundraising effort on Primtings, with member shareholder support on Shakespeare. Inevitably, the 4-Sim SL Globe Theatre will be losing two sims, and Second Life would be losing a rare historical theatre for live performance with large audience capacity. The timeline for deletion is uncertain, and it might happen any day now. But…

Myself and several others have made appeals to Linden Lab CEO Rod Humble on saving my account and these two sims, and thereby the 4-Sim SL Globe Theatre. It’s not yet clear what his decision is or how divine intervention might come to play. Perhaps, there’s still hope…

Currently, my account is locked out of Second Life. We are $3,245 behind in unpaid tier fees, and as many of you have already donated to save Primtings and Shakespeare, it is unlikely to raise the additional amount for the other two sims. I am unable to send this message to you directly from my avatar because of this. There is a chance that my avatar and virtual possessions might be deleted completely on June 3 or thereabouts. Shakespeare and Primtings tier have been paid 6 months in advance starting from February 23, but as my account would be unable to renew come next turn, that would be the end of everything.

Like Cirque du Soleil, in that other life, we started as homeless nomadic street performers — from absolutely nothing that somehow managed to accumulate land and a following and a brand, all without any external funding. It was a good run, but if only Second Life could be as limitless and far-reaching as real life. We’ve done all that we can in Second Life. It’s an end to an era that you’d be witnessing. The uncertainty lies in how it will turn out.

In the event that this is my last message to you, then it’s all up to you — the theatre and the spirit of creation lives through you — the precious few we’ve touched through circumstances unlikely in Real Life.

Thank you for sharing a dream that should otherwise never have lasted.

Best,
Ina Centaur

We are now less than L$50,000 away from our campaign goal. Through
Paint by Prims and pCampaign, we have managed to raise over L$460,000,
bringing us very close to our L$502,502 ~ US$1700 6 month tier for the 2011
nonprofit/edu sim pricing decreed by Linden Lab.

There are stil LOTS of prims unpainted on the Paint by Prims exhibit – slated
to become the newest prim’d painting in our New Media gallery. But, it does
need a few non-white prims that could use your choice of paint color!

For those who have not had the chance to paint, please do take the moment to
drop by the LM below… right click to select a white prim, and pay the $L
amount that corresponds to the color of paint you’d like to put on the prim.

It’s a collaborative art piece that helps raise the funds needed to keep Primtings
Museum as a single piece on Second Life.

Plus, it’s your permanent mark on a primting – each time someone touches the
prim you painted, your name will be whispered in chat!

Further details on Paint by Prims are available on http://pbp.Primtings.com
and also via that first notecard @ Create to Save Primtings

Continuing the pCampaign’s tradition of open transparency, each donation
will be instantly recorded to http://campaign.Primtings.com — moreover,
anyone on the Internet can view the status of this Paint by Prims project @

http://paintbyprims.Primtings.com

Do drop by…

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Primtings/183/153/42/

Ina Centaur
Founder, Curator and Director,
Primtings Museum

To enter…

Between today and Monday, April 5, 2010, visit Primtings Museum, explore the artwork there, join the Printings group on Koinup (http://www.koinup.com/group/primtings/) and post your museum related photos there.

Each user can submit up to 5 images for a chance at winning some cash prizes!

Primtings TP Directory
(see also http://primtings.com/ )

Primtings Museum presents 3D interpretations by various artists of famous 2D paintings, and was born as a vehicle to explore how traditional 2D art can be directly adapted to the virtual worlds. Making a 2D photos of a 3D interpretation of a 2D artwork is going to be a special challenge but we look forward to see how the creativity of the contestants will develop.

The judges will select the winners the week of the 15th and the winners will be announced on Saturday the 20th, on Koinup and in-world.

Courtesy of patron Wildstar Beaumont, Prizes are as follow :
* First prize : L$ 5000
* Five runner-ups : L$ 1000 each

Moreover the winners will have their works on display at both the Primting Museum and the Primtings Patrons Party (P3)

TP to Primtings Museum now to take photos – and win!

* Please note that any images not related with the subject of the group and the contest will be removed at any time with out warning.