Artists of Bristol on the Delaware Meeting Minutes and Announcements Presiding Officer: John Styner Number Attending: 21 Arts and Cultural Council of Bucks County: Dr. Richard DiBlassio, Tara King, President, and Ingrid Johnson were in attendance to speak to AOB about the benefits of joining the Council, and they were invited to do their presentation at the start. There is a new board looking at things in a brand new way. They are all volunteers and the group is a conduit for arts and culture in Bucks County. Currently, there are 150 members. It is a non-profit organization; membership is tax deductible and provides unlimited access to an on-line calendar. ACCBC is putting together a large data base that will be a networking resource for member artists. An individual membership is $25; group $50; donor $100 and sponsor $200. There are workshops for individual members to attend; a group membership entitles two representatives to attend. Mention was made of a letter campaign to the Governor and other officials to protest the budget cuts for arts programs and also an annual event at the Silverman Gallery on Wednesday, May 16, 2012. As in the past, there will be an annual physical member directory. Informational brochures were distributed. Call 215-968-8229 or email info@bucksarts.org for more information. A motion was made and seconded later in the meeting for AOB to vote on whether to join. The majority agreed and Gene Williams will write a check for a $50 group membership. Guests: Jean Schanz who works in precious metal and clay and Dave McGlynn, a photographer. Treasurer’s Report: Janice Rhodes stated that AOB has a balance of $ in the account. Membership: Marty Shively reported that to this point we had 41 paid members. Events: Rose Marie Strippoli reminded us that our upcoming exhibits are to be held at the Silver Lake Nature Center, the Middletown Township Building and the Lower Bucks Campus of the Bucks County College. Later in the evening, she suggested that in the future, AOB have one postcard for all the events that we have planned for the year. Also, she will write a proposal for procedures for anyone who volunteers to chair an event so that advertising and other preparations will occur in a timely manner. Kathy DiBlassio suggested that we should have a budget for banners and suggested the use of an A frame. Gene feels that we should have graphics for all publicity and it needs to done early on. Perhaps we need a chairperson to see that this task happens. Summer Sojourn: Gail Bracegirdle will have the copies of the prospectus ready for distribution on the Internet with all the details. Briefly, drop off at Silver Lake will be Wednesday, June 6 from 4 to 6PM and Thursday, June 7 from 10 AM to noon; installation on Friday, June 8. The reception will be Sunday, June 10 from 2 to 5PM. Pick up will be June 24. Gail would like to link up with the Delaware Canal Festival, the Bristol event to take place in Bristol Lagoon Park on June 22 (see Exec. Board notes below). To this point, Jeanne Jordan, Janice Rhodes and Claire Bergen have volunteered to assist. Janice circulated a list for refreshments. It was suggested and approved that AOB purchase wine. We are in need of suggestions for art projects for the children who attend the center. Yarn wrapping some of the trees beforehand has been considered, and we hope to have a banner at the front of the property. Contact Jennifer Bilger , Coordinator for Children’s Activities at jlbilger@co.bucks.pa.us or 215-785-1177, ext.14. Robert Brode has volunteered to provide the music. Later in the meeting, Pat Riffe asked for suggestions on how best to advertise in the local papers for this event. Approval was needed on the acceptable expense to do this; $200 was approved. It was suggested that we contact Gwen Schrift of the Courier Times beforehand in the hope that she would consider writing an article. John Styner will do the graphics and send to Gail for approval. If you wish to have your art used in the graphics, send a copy to John ASAP via E-mail. Middletown Township Exhibit: Linda Reboh discussed what we can do in September to better promote this exhibit. We should have an event banner at the gate area at a cost of $75. Gail suggested that we contact the artists group in Langhorne about joining us. It is planned that a ten percent commission should go to AOB. Vendors’ tables to draw people were also mentioned. There would have to be limitations on what is to be offered for sale since this is to be essentially an art exhibit. BCC-Lower Bucks Campus Exhibit: Rose Marie reported that planning is going well. Among other things, it is planned that the exhibit will be juried for prizes, and only original artwork is acceptable and must be for sale at $120. Twenty dollars of each sale goes to the college. Artists of Yardley and Artsbridge will participate as well as AOB. A ten-dollar entry fee has been proposed, and the college will handle all the sales. The Lower Bucks Chamber of Commerce and the Arts Council are involved. Old Business: Since the position of Archivist has been vacant for so long, it was suggested and agreed that we abolish the position and split the duties. Photos will be given to Dwight Harris, who will post a sampling on our website. Janice Rhodes will keep the news articles and hard copies of other items. The secretary is already responsible for keeping meeting records. Our portfolio binder displayed at exhibits needs updating since many new people have joined. It is up to each member to update with an 8.5 by 11 bio and photos of work. Kathy suggested a digital picture frame to be used at exhibits as well. New Business: Kathy will get back to us with more information on events to take place in Morrisville in the fall which will involve Historic Summerseat and the Artist Colony in Morrisville. Artwork is needed to display in the historic homes for a walking tour that will occur. Playmasters: Kathy DiBlassio and Linda Reboh are exhibiting their work at Playmasters Theater in Neshaminy State Park until May 20th. The current play is titled Beach Bums. Executive Board Meeting Notes Presiding Officer: John Styner Briefly, the following was discussed: Gene Williams mentioned following up with the Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts regarding applying for non-profit status. He distributed flyers for the Delaware Canal Festival, and suggested that AOB ask for contact information along with name and comments in our visitor book at shows. Gene and Janice Rhodes needed to reconcile a difference in our account balance. Gail Bracegirdle suggested AOB consider having an open studio at the Canal Works on Friday, June 22 in conjunction with the Delaware Canal Festival. Claire Bergen distributed copies of proposed by-laws for review and requested reimbursement for ink cartridges. Dwight Harris will assume some of the Archivist duties by keeping photo CDs and adding photos to our website. Kathy DiBlassio will be sending E-mail blasts via social media to promote our events. Reminder The next meeting of the Artists of Bristol will be on Wednesday, June 13, 2012 at the Silver Lake Nature Center, 1306 Bath Road in Bristol Township at 6:30 PM
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