November meeting notes

Wednesday, November 12, 2008, 2008


Art and About met at the Rahr-West Art Museum at 6:00 with a skeleton crew present. We discussed the fall tour, the Chairs for Charity poster contest, and the farmer’s market.

Fall tour:
§ We discussed how we felt the fall tour went. There was a nice turn out however not great for sales.
§ The spring tour will be May 15 and 16
§ The fall tour will be held October 23, 24, with the opening reception at We Are Art! at Brenda Lynn Burtard Studios, 1006 Margaretha St., Two Rivers

Chairs for Charity poster contest:
§ I went over the Chairs for Charity poster contest rules with the group to finalize details. Basically, we will be sending out a letter to all area high school art teachers asking them to involve their students in a poster contest to create the image we will be using for next year’s event. There will be a $100.00 top prize for the winning design. More on the contest will be coming—we will be sending out info after the first of the new year. If you have any questions or comments email me directly. Thanks. joandtim@peoplepc.com
§ I also brought a book to share that I found in our school library entitled “Speak”. It is a collaboration of children’s illustrators each offering a story about their dog and an accompanying illustration.
§ In keeping with the flavor of the book, we thought it would be a good idea for us to do something on that order—where we all contribute to a publication—in the form of a calendar. We have plenty of artists to fill 12 months. It is definitely something we want to look into for the future. We could get area businesses to sponsor a page and we could also include area goings-on and of course, our own tours and happenings. Keep it in mind—any particular month you’d like to create something for?????? I get July. It’s my favorite month.

Farmer’s Market:
§ The farmer’s market went relatively well this past year but there were a few bumps. Barb Ferguson would like any suggestions or constructive criticisms to improve things for next year. Many felt there could be better communication between exhibitors.
§ Also, we are going to skip the tent entirely. Every vendor is on their own. This way the tent and weights don’t have to be passed around.
§ We felt it may be a good idea to have some sort of signed agreement with vendors to keep things running more smoothly and establish responsibility.
§ The market starts up again in the beginning of May. And new this year—or revived this year—will be a new night. Tuesday afternoon / evenings from 3:00 – 7:00 PM the market will be open as well. they are hoping to make a little more of the event and perhaps have music etc.
§ Yearly cost for the booth remains the same.
§ Any questions or comments please contact Barb directly at: barbaraferg@comcast.net


Member Exhibit:
§ Don’t forget the Art & About member exhibit is coming up SOON—right after Christmas so be prepared! The date is January 11th – 24th at the Rahr-West Art Museum with opening reception on Sunday.
§ Work must be in to the Rahr-West by Friday, January 2nd.
§ We also thought we could use the opening day as an informal winter gathering—maybe we can go out to eat afterwards—still open for discussion…
§ Reminder that all work exhibited should be ‘family friendly’.

In other news…
§ Kim attended the recent Tannenbaum gala at the Rahr and thought that perhaps the group should do a tree next year. We could make ornaments during a meeting or two. We’ll discuss it again at a later date.
§ Also, I mentioned that I would be willing to organize a trip to the Chicago Art Institute in the spring if there is enough interest. We would most likely open the tour to the public as well. We would need enough people to fill a coach bus, which is usually 45 to 50 people. Just a thought—let me know sometime if you would be interested in a trip to Chicago. We would probably aim for a Tuesday because that is the ‘free’ day at the institute.

This weekend…
§ Holiday on the Lakeshore will be held this weekend the 14th and 15th at Fox Hills featuring, among many, two of our artists, Kim and Heather. Hours are 2 – 9 on Friday and 9 – 5 on Saturday.
§ Maybe next year Art & About could split the cost of a booth and have several artists attend.

That was about it.

Our next meeting is on December 10th at 6:00 PM at the Rahr-West Art Museum. We will be making decorative Christmas trees! They’ll be just like the ones I make with my first graders. I will bring the tree cut outs (about an 8 to 10 inch cardboard cut out) a few sparkly things, and the glue. Anyone is welcome to bring other items to share for decoration i.e. buttons, old jewelry, spangles, beads, whatever. My sister and I used to call such stuff—Geschnarell. I don’t really know what that means but it seems to work.
See you then!

Respectfully submitted by:

Jo of Art