Meeting Minutes for January 14, 2008

BLOOMINGTON WATERCOLOR SOCIETY

Attendance: Tina Allgood, Connie Brorson, Robert Burris, Jeanne Dutton, Jodi Estell, Jacki Frey, Charlotte Griffin, Carla Hedges, Jeanne Iler, Stephen Jackson, Kim Neubecker, Nina Ost, Carol Rhodes, Carolyn Rogers, Alice Sharp, Sammye Smith, Sue Speichert, Sandy Taylor, Bob Thrasher, Jennifer Trueblood, Joanne Weddle, Tricia Wente.

New Member: Kathy Karnes

Guests: Dan Alexander, Jim Sampson, Sally Steele, Bob Talbot, Brian Ward, Fee Ward, Phyllis Watt

Jeanne Dutton, president, called the meeting to order at 6:16 p.m. in the Monroe County Public Library. Jeanne welcomed all current members, introduced new member Kathy Karnes and all guests.

Secretary’s Report – Jeanne Dutton referred to the minutes of the last meeting on November 12, 2007. Minutes were distributed through the blog with an e-mail reminder to members. Nina Ost made a motion to approve which was seconded by Tricia Wente. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report – Carol Rhodes distributed a report showing total income and expenses for January through December of 2007. Balance at the end of the year was $1,406.10. At the present time there are 55 paid members. Carla Hedges made a motion to approve the report which was seconded by Jeanne Iler. The motion carried.

Committee Reports

1. Tricia Wente reported that the 2007 Membership Show went well with one, and possibly two, pieces selling. The 2008 show at Gallery North will be held in July this year. July is also Gallery Walk month. Those wishing to exhibit this year will receive forms at the BWS May meeting. BWS may hold a show at the Waldron every other year and it must be juried first according to the Waldron procedure.

2. Alice Sharp is working on a calendar for this year’s plein air paintouts. Although most will be held on Saturdays, Alice will try to arrange two mid-week paintouts. The schedule will be available in the next month or two.

3. Jeanne Iler reported on Signature Status. The BWS application was sent to everyone through the internet. The first page lists advantages to signature status, one of which includes no entrance fee to any of the BWS shows. There may be traveling shows just for Signature Status members. High status watercolor artists will judge applications. Forms will be accepted by Jeanne Iler and Tricia Wente until March 10, 2008. After the judging, those who have not been accepted will receive a letter of notification with an explanation and suggestions.

4. Jodi Estell was thanked for providing hospitality over the past years, and for bringing the evening’s refreshments. Susan Blunk has consented to assume this responsibility. Refreshments for the February meeting will be provided by BWS officers. Volunteers are needed to bring refreshments for the March, April, May and June meetings.

5. Jacki Frey provided information about upcoming programs and workshops
a. February 11- Jeanne Iler will present on Chinese brush painting. Jeanne will bring examples and supplies. Jeanne needs to know how many will be attending so she may bring the correct number of brushes and work stations. There will not be a supply fee. Meeting will be held in Room 1-C at the MCPL.
b. March 10 - Linda Meyer-Wright’s program will be on watercolor waxing techniques.
c. April 26 – Rod Crossman, guest artist, will present a one-day workshop from 9:30 – 4:00 at First Christian Church. Fee will be $35 per person. There will be a 25 person limit with a waiting list. Rod is a well-known artist using watercolor, acrylics and oil. Carol Rhodes showed examples of Rod’s work available on the internet.
d. August 3-7 – Judi Betts, glazing and watercolor artist, will present a five-day workshop at First Christian Church. Judi’s charges will include $435 per day fee, airline, hotel, etc. $325 registration fee for BWS members and $350 to non-members. Judi advertises nationally. Registration will be through Sunrise Box Office and must be done online.

Old Business

1. Connie Brorson discussed the tutto bène show. She reported that this year’s display was nice but no paintings were sold. BWS may hope to make this an annual event. A question posed to the group was whether we prefer a larger or smaller display. This year’s show was limited to 20 pieces of art. Connie will continue discussing the possibilities with Marci and keep us posted.

New Business

1. Carolyn Rogers reported that the owner of Lennie’s has a farm where he is establishing a brewery. The owner is interested in allowing BWS to have a paint out at the farm and an exhibit of work in the brewery. It was felt that this would be an opportunity for good BWS exposure. Alice Sharp will make a contact to set a paintout date.

Motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Tricia Wente and seconded by Bob Burris. Motion carried. Tricia invited members to examine the BWS scrapbook on display. Jeanne Dutton announced that Phyllis Watt brought watercolor books to sell for half price.

Carol Rhodes presented a program on online resources for Bloomington Watercolor Society. Available opportunities include:

1. The Bloomington Watercolor Society website at: http://bloomingtonwatercolor.org/
2. BWS activities posted online at: http://bloomingtonarts.info/
3. Brush Strokes newsletter: http://bloomingtonwatercolor.blogspot.com/
4. Email
a. For members only: bws-members@googlegroups.com
b. For members plus interested people: bws-all@googlegroups.com
c. Anyone online who looks at our Google group: http://groups.google.com/
5. Check up on BWS happenings – http://groups.google.com/group/bws-members/topics or http://groups.google.com/group/bws-all/topics.
6. Carol explained that BWS wants biographies and images of an example of art of each member on the webpage. Members should send their images to Carol and their bios to Jeanne Dutton for editing.

Alice Sharp showed a CD of photos taken of members at past paintouts.

Respectfully submitted,
Joanne Weddle, Secretary