We
covered a lot of ground at the November meeting - a BIG thank you to Autumn Kegley for
taking minutes at the meeting!
Our November discussion of the 2nd Artists-Connect
show and related group issues was hosted by Cheryl Hufnagel and Joan Shannon.
We began with a statistical overview of the show
provided by Ann Wood:
Total show sales of $4,300
171 Notecards sold
34 artwork/print items sold for $20 or less
30 larger artworks sold
461 pieces were entered (into the computer database, excluding additions made during the
show)
In comparison, Ann Wood believes about 15% of
original work juried into the Edmonds Arts Festival sells. (However, we should take into
account that only original works are offered for sale in the juried show - patrons must
seek print reproductions and greeting cards from the field artwork booths.)
A large number of the visitors to our Artists
Connect show in October appear to be drop-in customers directed to the show by our
sidewalk signs. (As Ann noted from questioning people at our sale as well as at the
Previously Loved Art Sale held at ArtWorks.)
Julie Scandora suggested we try to reach a new
audience, unfamiliar with or intimidated by traditional art sales venues by further
exploiting the use of more informal advertising, like the sidewalk signboards. As a local
artists group, we should try to reach more local citizens. Including a designated door
greeter as one of the continuous volunteer positions during the show would help to make
the experience more welcoming to newcomers. One of our new members discovered our show -
and our group - via the sidewalk signs, and enjoyed the conversations she had with the
many artists present .
Ann Wood mentioned that an "ArtWorks"
banner may be included during renovations in the parking area, as new lights are
installed.
We should try to use the free advertising available
through local press coverage to more advantage prior to our upcoming show, by sending out
notices to area papers.
The show layout worked quite well visually, the only
improvement suggested was more consistent labeling of our individual areas. People
appreciated having the artist’s name prominently near their work. Also, since we
speak in another language (of visual metaphors) - having a description which helps viewers
to clue into the stories informing our work might help them connect to it.
Changing the show structure to include an entry fee was suggested;
although that moves us towards a more formal arrangement.
Discussion of the Survey of
Proposed Changes to the Overall Group Structure/Direction and Show
The next meeting of ArtistsConnect falls on
Saturday, January 28th, 2006. February’s meeting falls on Saturday 18th, 2006. During
April we currently have our second yearly show scheduled (27th - 30th), and will not host
a meeting.
No definite decisions were taken on the survey
proposals, ideas were discussed - and voting upon any changes will be taken during the
January meeting. As of the November meeting, only 16 surveys had been returned... those of
you who have not yet done so, please download the survey from our website or the Yahoo
group and complete it before the January meeting. The survey includes two groups of
questions - how do we run the group - how do we take care of shows?
The survey can be downloaded at:
http//www.artists-connect.com/survey.htm
You will need to log in with the user
name and password. Please contact Amy Peacock if you need these.
Dues?
If we collected dues, they would provide a
consistent support for the newsletter. Membership dues are tax deductible, if you keep
track of them via a check. However, dues would lead to a lot of administration - requiring
us to open a bank account, establish by-laws, vote in officers, etc. This might also
affect our non-profit status. Perhaps we should instead determine true cost of shows and
producing the hard-copy newsletter and write checks/ donate cash on a volunteer basis to
the responsible parties to cover expenses. To this end, we need to notify Amy of whether
we would prefer a hard copy version of the newsletter or be emailed a downloadable copy.
Changes in Show Structure?
Do we want to change/extend the show hours? Or have
more shows during the year? Perhaps we should create sub-groups within Artists Connect to
organize themed shows. Before determining upn any changes in our show structure... perhaps
we should ask what our motivations are in doing so.
Some members proposed that we may over-saturate our
market with too many events. However, much of Edmonds is still unfamiliar with the major
expense and planning far in advance.
Perhaps the timing of our shows should be altered to
a summer month and December to catch increased walking traffic during those periods. Some
artists suggested we also consider changing the Spring show date to January or February...
months when people are more directed towards personal fulfillment and decorating their
homes.
The overall consensus at this meeting seemed to be
that two yearly full group shows is the right number. Organizing more shows
would force us to become more organized.
Changes in Group Structure?
Autumn Kegley proposed that we could schedule at
least one yearly meeting which focused on a loose critique format - each member would
bring in a work or ArtWorks space... we need to continually get the word out via personal
networking to increase our exposure. Perhaps in addition to sidewalk signs, we could
research the possibility of having hanging banners (akin to those for the Edmonds Arts
Festival) advertising our show. This would. however, involve work-in-progress to discuss
with the group. On the same note, several artists thought it would be nice to include more
networking time within the meeting... perhaps by scheduling meetings to extend until
12:30, with the last half-hour being informal to mix and chat. Shall we also return to a
round table seating arrangement, for the increased connection that engenders? Or, we could
host a drawing/painting session after the meeting...
Should the business meeting come before any
scheduled speakers, or afterwards? If before, then people who may have already heard a
particular speaker would not have to sit through a repeat. It was suggested that we draw
upon the knowledge within our own group first in looking for potential speakers this
coming year. Perhaps one or two members could share their own work and discuss process and
inspiration. Using a panel-style set-up would make it more smooth and less threatening.
Proposed topics for future speakers included: Finding a venue, Displaying your work within
shows to best advantage, Promotions, Booth Shows.
Should special-interest sub-groups within Artists
Connect be formally established? Sub-groups probably happen in any case, between members
with specific interests. The ArtWorks space is available at a $5.00 per person usage fee
to help cover operational costs... we can take advantage of this to host open painting
sessions, etc. However, any get-togethers need to be scheduled with Ken Smith (who manages
the space).
Miscellaneous Announcements
ArtWorks has purchased a printmaking press! Ken Smith will be
unpacking and setting the press up in January, and it will be available for classes and
open rental usage. Talk to Ken about helping out with the setup. Amy Peacock is always
working hard to improve our website: www.artists-connect.com. Please drop by to take a
look, and if you have a website promoting your art - send her informaion to get a link
from our site. The website includes a section for members only, containing our personal
contact information and the full list of members... to access this area enter the user
name and password.
Kathleen Johnson has volunteered to publicize our group and its
shows... please send her any helpful contacts/ publication dates.
The final open figure drawing session held at ArtWorks this year
will be on Thursday, December 8th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Ken Smith hosts the session with
a professional live model for a $10.00 drop-in fee. Bring along your drawing/painting
supplies and hone your skills! |
