MEETING MINUTES
March 2025 Arden Artisan Collective Members-at-Large Zoom Meeting Minutes
Date: March 27, 2025
Time: 7:00–8:45 PM (Stayed on schedule—YEAH!)
Attendees:
Steering Committee Members: Megan King, Jill Althouse-Wood, Cookie Ohlson, Betty O’Regan, Shay Seaborne, Annette Hearing
Members-at-Large: Bethany Rees, Sharon Bousquet, Janet Williams, Linda Celestian, Micah Altman, Will Ramirez, Mike Diebold, Jeanne Orr (Treasurer)
Meeting Agenda & Discussion Points
7:00–7:05 | Welcome & Introductions
Brief welcome and overview of the agenda.
7:05–7:15 | Curated Shows at Delaware Theatre Company
Jill Althouse-Wood shared a summary from Sadie Somerville on the recent exhibitions:
"Life Lessons" (Feb 19–Mar 9, 2025) and "Joy is Art" (Oct 23–Nov 10, 2024) were AAC invitational exhibitions in collaboration with Delaware Theatre Company's productions of Every Brilliant Thing and Tuesdays with Morrie.
Participating artists: Annette Hearing, Alida Fish, Russ McKinney, Jill Althouse-Wood, Sadie Somerville, Stephen Tanis, Lon Sullivan, Megan Murphy King, and Linda Celestian.
AAC volunteers helped create promotional graphics for postcards, email, and social media, all used by DTC in their marketing efforts.
The "Life Lessons" artist reception on March 7 was well-attended (~60 people).
Acknowledgments: Special thanks to Will and others for helping create graphic templates.
Future Considerations: With Matt Silva stepping down as DTC director, future collaborations will depend on incoming leadership.
7:15–7:25 | Upcoming Events
Arden Social (April 22) - Shay Seaborne
New format: Each event will feature one main artist, followed by an open session for others to share works in progress.
April’s featured artist: Jennifer Borders, whose work aligns with the Earth Day theme.
Additional elements: Trade table, snacks (Carrot cake!), potential collaboration with the Forest Committee for a tree giveaway.
Exhibits - Jill Althouse-Wood
A Living Legacy: 125 Years of Art & Craft in the Ardens
2D Art Exhibit at Baby Grand (October) Megan King is curator
3D Art Exhibit at Blue Ball Barn (November) Micah Altman is curator
Sadie Somerville is the consultant for artists of past decades—we are including work by past artists and photographs from museum collection to showcase our group as a legacy group
Jill Althouse-Wood is handling media for both exhibits. The theme makes it unique and newsworthy. We have had exhibits like this in the Ardens but we are taking this outside the Ardens.
Promotion & Timeline:
Press release sent out early.
Delaware Today will feature a spread (needs photos with their specifications by end of May).
Podcast spot on State of the Arts.
Application deadlines: 2D submissions open in early April with a May 1 first tier deadline with the goal of getting photographs to use in promotional materials.
3D artists and legacy artists: Hand-selected photos will be among those sent to Delaware Today.
7:25–7:40 | Arden Fair Booth & Small Art Show Alternatives
Issues Identified:
Small Art Show isn’t generating enough sales.
AAC Fair Booth is too cramped to showcase the full scope of the collective.
Potential Solutions:
Join Talleyville Frame Shop Small Art Show: Feature 6x6” pieces with AAC branding (stickers & postcards).
Expand Fair Booth to two spaces and incorporate the Small Art Show.
Jill reached out to Mhairi and Stuart Craig to check feasibility.
Consider Holiday Shop for Small Art Show: Foot traffic is promising, but display logistics are challenging.
Email Outreach to Non-Members?
We have a mailing list, but no dedicated person to handle outreach.
Decision: Opt out of Small Art Show at the Buzz.
7:40–7:55 | Formalizing Membership & Collecting Dues (Fall 2025)
Current Status:
No formal membership rolls.
Website has a potential members-only section.
Discussion Points:
Annual membership dues: Cookie and Jeanne will review the annual budget to determine a reasonable fee.
Logistics: Will is exploring dues collection through the AAC website.
Show Participation: Instead of commissions, we could require membership for exhibit entries.
Jill gave a tour of the online members section of the website. This is added value and could be made to be accessible only by members
Membership Tiers:
Junior memberships (lower cost)
Scholarships available
Ongoing Discussion
7:55–8:05 | Public Art Initiatives - Bethany Rees
AARP Grant Application: Funding request to paint 11 utility boxes in the Ardens.
Decision by May 1: If approved, artists will receive a healthy stipend and supplies.
Quick turnaround: Completion expected by year’s end.
Next Steps:
Early planning meetings to develop a cohesive theme.
Collaboration opportunities for artists interested in team projects.
8:05–8:20 | Breakout Sessions
Topics:
What skill, technique, or resource could benefit others?
What is a dream collaboration you'd love to do?
8:20–8:35 | Whole Group Sharing
Group 1:
"Before you die" mural concept: Wings for photo ops, interactive elements (e.g., writing messages on feathers, haikus, adding leaves to a tree mural).
Artisan Pathway idea.
Group 2:
Murals, fairy houses, found object art, free art exchange.
Hands-on workshops where artists showcase and sell their work.
Group 3:
Shared Adobe Suite membership for artists who use it occasionally.
Collaboration Fair at the Buzz.
Utility box art collaboration (stipend could be divided among multiple artists).
8:35–8:45 | Wrap-Up & Next Steps
Summary of key points & decisions.
Next meeting format: Do we continue with Zoom?
Ways to stay engaged
Meeting Adjourned
(Meeting ended on schedule!)