JANUARY 2024 NEWSLETTER
In this issue:
*Small Art Show wrap-up
*2024 AAC Retreat
*Retreat Sign-up Genius; Volunteers NEEDED
*January AAC Meeting
*Earth Day Art Show update
*Upcoming Dates inn 2024
SMALL ART SHOW WRAP UP:
Our second annual "Small Art" Show is in the books. We had 20 participating artists (including some new ones) showcasing over 40 works. We sold 8 pieces of art totaling $1000 and collected $100 each for AAC and the Buzz. (To give some transparency, AAC also spent $100 on postcards and signage--so that was a wash. But you should know where your commissions go.) It is hard to put a number the people who saw the exhibit, but I would be willing to bet that it was 200+ with all the activities at the Buzz. *Notes for next year--have drinks station in the gallery itself to encourage traffic. Think about using display case as a place to move any 3D art from pedestals after the opening.
Thanks...
For postcard/sign creation and marketing): Jill Althouse-Wood
For accounting: Jeanne Orr
For hanging show: Sadie Somerville, Rodney Jester, Lon Sullivan, Jonah Wood
For organization, Buzz liasoning (invented word), marketing, and buffet management: Bernadette Donohue
For contributions to the buffet: Buzz Ware Committee
For Monitoring the show: Jill Althouse-Wood, Clare Consavage, Denis O'Regan, Janet Williams, Rick & Sue Rothrock, Jeanne Orr, Alida Fish
* Special thanks to Rick and Sue Rothrock for perseverance. Rick followed directions, but his sculptural relief work was a challenge to hang. He had to remount the back findings to make it possible. He could have just taken his toys and gone home. Rick is one of the most revered and celebrated artisans in our collective. (We need him more than he needs us.) As a collective, we appreciate Rick's generosity of spirit in lending legitimacy to our group so that we are can celebrate artisans who are at either end of the spectrum from enthusiast to someone in the fullness of career and everyone in between.
2024 ARDEN ARTISAN COLLECTIVE RETREAT:
RETREAT PAYMENT IS DUE TO JEANNE ORR BY JANUARY 10th
We are so excited about the upcoming AAC retreat on January 20th. If you haven't looked over the offerings, please take a moment to dive deep our event page and FAQ page. It's a lot! We are feeling a bit daunted by the scale of event, but we feel it is important to raise energy around our organization and mine its potential. The speakers are extraordinary. We are lucky that they are donating their time. I have been told to expect SWAG. Please, if you have not done so, complete your registration and get it to Jeanne Orr by January 10. The brochure and website are live on our site. If you can't print the brochure, text me at 717-799-7296 and I will personally deliver the registration form.
With an included breakfast and lunch, this retreat should cost hundreds of dollars. We are doing it on a shoestring because wanted to have an accessible day of inspiring content to build energy around our group initiatives for the coming years. What does this mean? Even if you can only commit to the AAC meeting at 9 AM and one of the session, it is worth the price. We want you to come for the whole say, of course, but understand if you can't commit a whole winter's day. We think you will find the content surprising and useful even if it isn't your usual fare. Break out of your box. Try something new! Isn't that the spirit of the artisan? And if that cost is still a burden to your budget, we do have scholarships available. We want you to come! We do not expect this to be a yearly event, so now is your chance to take advantage of this special opportunity. We do have an attendance cut-off, so don't wait until the last minute to turn in your forms/payment. Though this retreat has been created with AAC members in mind, it is open to anyone. Feel free to invite friends from other burbs.
RETREAT REGISTRATION FORM
SIGN-UP GENIUS FOR RETREAT:
We still need help for the retreat. Most of these tasks take less than an hour. Ask your family members if they would be willing to help us out. Specifically we are looking for
4 more people to bake and donate 1 doz muffins
1 person to check in registrants
1 person to set up and take down the vision board area (You will be given all supplies--this one is cake!)
3 more people to help with lunch set-up, serving and clean-up
2 more people to be guest liaison (Greet our speakers, help them with set up, bring things from car)
We really, really, really need help with tech. We would like to record the speakers and/or run the zoom meeting. If you or family/friends have any experience or even if you have none, but can push the buttons you are instructed to push, we can do this. We are asking for 3 helpers.
Message me at 717-799-7286 if you have questions about what each of these entails and the time frame. I can talk on phone also, but message first to get my attention.
CLICK HERE FOR SIGN-UP GENIUS
JANUARY AAC MEETING:
As part of the retreat day, we are having a regular AAC meeting. Even if you can’t (or don’t want to) attend the whole retreat, you are encouraged to participate in our meeting. It will take place on Saturday, January 20th from 9-10:45 AM. You do not have to pay the fee for the retreat to come to the meeting, but we are asking for a small donation toward our rental at the Buzz, like any normal gathering. At the meeting we will review what we have accomplished since our inception in September 2022. We will highlight the events that are already on the calendar for 2024. We will brainstorm activities for 2024 and beyond. After that we will break into small volunteer interest groups based on the brainstorming (e.g. marketing, website, exhibitions, social events, education). When we reconvene in main group, we will finalize a 2024 agenda and vote on a 5-person steering committee which will meet monthly to help put the agenda into action, rally the volunteers (lists of which we will compile in small groups), and approve spending. Let us know if you are attending the meeting (but not retreat) so we can have appropriate space/chairs/ and snacks. We won’t turn anyone away at the door, but planning helps. The more people who attend and participate in this process, the stronger and longer-lived this organization will be.
Things to think about in preparation for the meeting:
What would you like to see the AAC accomplish in 2024 and beyond?
What do you need from the AAC to help you on your artisan path?
What would you be willing to do in terms of volunteering to achieve an agenda and help other members?
What don't you want to have to do? What are you unwilling to do?
Who do you want to oversee our agenda (who would you like to see on our 5-person steering committee?)
Would you be willing to serve on the committee?
EARTH DAY ART SHOW UPDATE:
Emails have gone out for those pieces that were earmarked for early acceptance, and therefore will be used in marketing for the AAC Earth Day Art Show in March/April 2024 at the Delaware Center for Horticulture. Any work that has been previously submitted will be considered for the second round--unless specified by the artist.
The second (and final) round of applications for the show are due January 28th. Please read all details with the applications and follow instructions carefully so that your application doesn't slip through the cracks. We are hoping to let everyone know by end of February if you have been accepted. Please realize that this process will take some time because we will have to go on site to the gallery to plan the show and make sure the pieces we select will fit the space and work cohesively. And we are new at this.
CLICK HERE FOR EARTH DAY ART SHOW APPLICATION
MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR UPCOMING 2024 DATES:
Sat. JANUARY 20th 7 AM-3 PM Arden Artisan Retreat (BWVC)
Sat. JANUARY 20th 9-10:45AM Arden Artisan Collective Meeting (BWVC)
Sun. JANUARY 28th EARTH DAY ART EXHIBIT applications due
Fri. FEBRUARY 2nd regular Art Loop hours ARDENS YOUTH ART EXHIBIT (BWVC)
Sun. FEBRUARY 11th 1-3 PM Afternoon with the Artist featuring Clare Consavage (ACSM)
End of February (informed of acceptance into Earth Day Show)
Tuesday. MARCH 5th 4-6:30 PM Drop of of Earth Day Artwork (DCH)
Fri. APRIL 5th, 5:30-8PM Art Loop for Earth Day Art Exhibit (DCH)
COMING SOON:
**July/August AAC show at Baby Grand. Megan King will be curating (with help?). We will need a lot of art to fill this space. Details about submissions coming. Watch your upcoming newsletters for details
February's newsletter should be EPIC! We will be moving forward with ideas generated at the retreat. Stay Tuned..
"Creativity takes courage." Henri Matisse
Courageously submitted,
Jill Althouse-Wood