Call to Order: The February meeting was called to order by President Ken White.
New Member Applications: The members reviewed the work of 2 applicants seeking membership, Ev Niewoehner and Jamie Parks. After discussion and voting, the membership accepted the applicants.
Exhibitions Ken reviewed details about our next important group exhibitions; the Clarksville Customs House Museum in February and the Gordon Jewish Community Center in March. He distributed invitations to the Clarksville Exhibition. Drop-off dates and times were discussed for the GJCC. Invitations will not be available in time to distribute at a monthly meeting. Garry was looking into how to distribute those to members. Email invitations will be available. Our reception is Thursday, March 6.
Website: Garry Hornbuckle discussed the new website, which is up and working. The address is: nashvilleartistguild.org. Please prepare a one paragraph bio, only seven to ten sentences for the website. You might discuss (briefly) your medium, your central themes, and answer the question, “Who is this person?” Send it as a text email, along with 6 images of 400-600 pixels each, to Garry Hornbuckle, at garryhornbuckle@gmail.com. Someone suggested that we add a link to the Metro Arts Commission also at our website.
Minutes: The Minutes for January, 2009 were read and approved. In the future, minutes will be distributed by email about a week before the monthly meeting. Please review them when they come to you, and be prepared to suggest needed corrections at the meeting. This will allow us to approve the minutes without taking additional time to read them aloud, and will be a more efficient use of our meeting time.
Treasurer's Report: Secretary, Stephanie Helmey reviewed the February Financial Report, prepared by Treasurer Rosanne Awbrey, who was unable to attend. We began the period with $4,506.83 on hand. Our expenses have been $190.00, which includes our dues to the Center for Nonprofit Management, quarterly rent to Vine Street Christian, and a memorial donation to the Nashville Humane Society in remembrance of member Doug Shaw. We have had income of $25.00, (one Roger Dale Brown DVD). Cash on hand at end of period is $4341.83.
Program - Discussion of Membership Process and Benefits: Membership Chair, Mitch Chamberlain, presented the program, a discussion of the membership process, centered around the benefits of belonging to the Guild, the responsibilities of membership and ideas for increasing our membership. Following are bullet points made: We are the oldest professional, juried arts organization in Nashville. Members tell us they join for fellowship, sharing of ideas and exhibition opportunities. Requiring that new members be juried in insures a high level of professionalism and skill in our members This exclusivity is unique and valued by members We might even consider changing our acceptance requirement from a simple majority of “yes” votes on behalf of an applicant to a 2/3 majority “yes” votes for membership Our shows should be truly outstanding if our membership application process is working as designed. Most of our members are over the age of 50. Should we try to attract some younger members, and how might we go about that? This issue is not necessarily about age only, but about the diversity and range of our art work. We want to be open to new creative expressions. Someone asked, “Just how do we evaluate the newer, edgier art effectively?” The process of evaluating art would make an interesting meeting in itself! What is “good art”, anyway? Most of our venues are, however, somewhat traditional; not usually able to accommodate sculpture, for example. We might consider reaching out to Watkins Presentations to them Sponsoring competitions or shows. Are we meeting members’ needs, especially in our monthly meetings? One of our younger members suggested that we might consider discussing new topics in art at our monthly meetings. For example, what is originality in art, what are the new trends and ideas – learning is important to her. Several people suggested we might offer critiques to members interested in that feedback. There was excitement around this idea, though we would need to structure it carefully and limit the number each month We might have some Frist presenters come and speak, or we might all go there one month All members were reminded to be proactive – speak up about what you feel is needed or lacking in the organization Good monthly programs are not just the responsibility of one committee. Everyone must suggest topics of interest you’d like to explore, and give ideas about demonstrations you’d like to see.
Adjourned: Ken White adjourned the meeting at 415PM.