West Virginia Watercolor Society Minutes – April 2, 2005
Those attending: Bruce Brenneman, Doris Bright, Linda Turner, Linda Schweitzer, Judy Reed, Rema White, Linda Walker Roberts, Peggy Isaack, Katie Crim, Carolyn Light, Ruth Ann Wilt, Judy Wilson, George Harper.
Meeting was called to order by President Judy Reed.
MINUTES of the last meeting were read by Linda Turner, and approved as read. A copy of minutes will be mailed to Joy Cooper so she can put them on the WVWS website.
TREASURER’S REPORT was given by Bruce Brenneman. Copy attached. Bruce said we took in 20 new members in 2004, 4 of whom have not renewed in 2005. We lost 15 who have not renewed, 4 of whom did not stay in a whole year.
Linda Schweitzer asked why the prizes are being limited to the amount of money the show took in. Bruce said we needed the raffle to break even last year, but prize amounts are up to the members of WVWS. This All Member Show cost more than it brought in.
WORKSHOP: Joe Sweeney wasn’t here, and Linda Turner had no new information about the workshop. The Paint-Out paper has been mailed. The workshop is from May 29 over Memorial Day to June 3. (Late note: The workshop has since been changed to May 31 to Sat. June 4) Discussion: future workshop sites need to be accessible to handicapped and drive-in artists. Suggested were Jackson’s Mill with studio open late, Cedar Lakes at Ripley with ponds and covered bridge. Smoke Hole, Canaan, Dolly Sods, and Seneca could be combined.
Doris Bright moved that we continue with Bethany for this year, and examine other locations for next year. Katie Crim seconded. Motion carried.
MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS; Katie Crim said Linda Schweitzer has a weekly painting day. We should have one and a major workshop in our regions to draw in more people. We could paint and finish one day, and ask a library to take them up unframed. Linda Turner said each region can have any activities they like. Put information in the newsletter and website encouraging non-members to paint and exhibit with us. Linda Walker Roberts agreed to make phone calls to region reps to suggest more activities. Region I; Ernice Roberts, II: Pat Roberts, III: Joy Cooper, IV: Katie Crimm, V: George Harper, Region at Large: Bob Smith. Region is listed with member names in the directory.
NOTE CARDS: Joy sent an e-mail that there are only a dozen entries. She didn’t feel there were enough entries or enough diversity. Rema White said making discs puts people off. Bruce Brenneman said there is a problem with incompatible electronics, and he has a slide scanner. Some made at Superior One did not turn out well. Katie suggested a photo session for those who were concerned. Members are encouraged but not required to sell the cards. They could be sold in shops and by individuals. Katie will put the information in the newsletter.
GREENBRIAR SIGNATURE SHOW: Report from Jeanne Brenneman delivered by Bruce, copy attached. Included was the information that in the past, landscapes, florals, and ½ or ¼ sheet sizes sold most often. Plan to do the show again next year. Linda Turner was very helpful.
ALL MEMBER SHOW 2005 AT MAC: Peggy Isaack said everyone was happy to help. The judge gave the $100 honorarium to the MAC. Doris had listed difficulties in past shows so Peggy only had to make changes. Thanks to Linda for prospectus, Judy for punch, and to all who cooperated in getting the show done.
ELKINS SHOW: Linda Walker Roberts said the prospectus is printed and will be folded Monday. It is a juried show at Randolph Co. Art Center. Slides must be at Doris’s by June 1. Jury notice will be sent in 10 days. Hand delivered works received July 1 from 10:00 to 12:00. Show opens July 6, 2005. WVWS meeting is July 9, 2005 and awards are to be presented at 3:30. Few people come on Sundays, so the show won’t be open that day. They will need people to sit the show as there are 3 available exits. Aug. 5 the show closes. Pick up is Aug. 6 from 10:00 to 12:00. Juror is Anona Berry who was WV Wesleyan Asst. Professor. Members can enter one free, and 2 more for $10.00. Nonmember’s fee is $30.00 for 3 slides. WVWS keeps 10% and center keeps 20%. Price work accordingly. Ruth Ann Wilt suggested allowing people to join WVWS and enter the show for the same $30.00 entry fee as a way of gaining members. Linda Roberts said we could consider that for next year; this year’s prospectus is already printed. Judy Reed complemented everyone for working hard and fast to get ready for the show.
DIRECTORY AND BY-LAWS: Check your entry and tell Linda Elmer if changes are needed.
JURYING COMMITTEE; Judy said Jean Mayfield and Lee Fritch are new. Rosemarie McKowen and Bob Smith have served their 2 years, so three new members are needed. Can choose a chair or perhaps a 2-year person would chair. The chair decides when and where to meet. Jody Boyd sent suggestions: have a set of information from past juried shows to be sure artists entered as claimed, and have some members to stay on more than one year for continuity.
AWARDS FOR ALL-MEMBER SHOW: This year’s entries only brought in enough for $65.00 prizes. Linda Turner said that level of prizes makes us look chintzy, and we need to raise entry fees enough for $100.00 prizes. Peggy Isaack asked do other groups give prizes at all-member shows? Linda Roberts said it is an incentive. Katie Crim said framing is expensive. Linda Turner said the quality of the shows before prize money was awarded was not as good. Now we can be proud of our representative work. Bruce Brenneman suggested soliciting awards from local businesses. Cheap Joe’s might give a merchandise award. Doris Bright said Meryl Lynch might be willing – in the past she wrote to them in Charleston. Katie Crim suggested a framing award. Linda Turner said frame a nice “Sponsor of the Arts” certificate and present it for display in donor’s offices. Ruth Wilt said do things with Chamber of Commerce and become a known part of the area and then requests are not usually turned down. Trustees and members would need to ask people to sponsor.
Carolyn Light moved to raise entry fee to $15 for one and $20 for a second entry for all-member shows, to cover awards. Katie Crim seconded. Motion carried.
SHOWS FOR 2006: Judy said the place in Parkersburg is expanding and we hope to do a show there. Charleston has lots of places, but money for security is a problem. Clay center isn’t interested. Jerre Watkins will check with the Cultural Center and she has a space in Hurricane in Main Street Studio. Carolyn Light asked about Taylor Bookstore in downtown Charleston. Ruth Wilt said ask about Microtel in Beckley.
SHOWS FOR 2007: Judy said we are invited to the Chuck Mathena Center in Princeton for a juried show in 2007. It is a nice new place under construction.
OTHER BUSINESS: Linda Turner said 4 years from now is the 25th anniversary of the WVWS. We need to plan soon for a BIG blowout at the Cultural Center perhaps. Plan a reception; design a nice invitation to mail to our client list, to the governor, senators, etc. Have a juried show that is open to all WV artists. We’d need a good juror. Bruce said Tamarack would be a great place and it has a new person who is easy to deal with. He’ll ask Mrs. Brenneman to talk to her.
NEXT MEETING: Saturday, July 9, 2005 at 1:00 Randolph Co. Art Center. Awards presented at 3:00. (Lunch before the meeting at C.J. Maggies at 11:30). Meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted
Rema H. White, recording secretary