News and Events Update for June 2008

THANK YOU to the many people who made this year's show a success!!

Maryanne Rupp, Gloria Nilsson and Pat Seekamp enjoy the opening reception

MAS President Bev Schirmeier and board member Joe Veckerelli

BJ Folger and Nancy Chapman with Tom Fussell's painting Art Deco Dame

Winner of the Jay Folger Memorial Award

Sandra Kensler and her painting Western Landscape took the

2008 MAS First Place Award

June MAS Hilights
President’s Letter

The Madison Art Society has just completed its 33rd Annual Juried Art Exhibition which was judged by Rob DeBartolo, a well known pastel artist. He selected 84 paintings that reflected a diversified art show of both realistic and abstract paintings and sculpture. It was very well received by an enthusiastic large crowd that attended our reception. A special thanks to Don Trownsell, Dick Kennedy and Ann Christensen for their outstanding job in getting the award money and gifts given to twenty three artists. A photo of the Best in Show painting, Western Landscape, by Sandra Kensler, a MAS Elected Artist member, has been included in this issue. The first Jay Folger Memorial Award was given by BJ Folger to Thomas Fussell, Art Decco Dame. There is also a photo of Joe Veckerelli and Beth Wardwell, who were our co-chairpersons, along with Rob De Bartolo, our judge. They did a great job in running the show and as usual, our members provided them with the support needed to make it a success. Check out some of our members working during Receiving and at the Reception. Volunteering is a great way to meet your fellow art members and it helps us provide you with the programs and services that we strive to do each year. While I am at it, we need chairpersons for the Member Show and Juried Show for next year. If you have any interest, please contact me.
The Board of Directors and I want to hear from all of you and what services you want from our organization. Based on the questionnaire results that many of you completed, we have increased the number of demonstrations that we are providing this year. Please take the time to look at the list of wonderful artist that we are offering this year and take advantage by attending these events. Of course, this comes as an additional expense to our budget. Our members stated that they would be willing to give a modest donation when they attended the sessions to offset the expenses of the artist’s fees and refreshments. Another member request was to expand their opportunities to display their art work. We have the Member Show, which is open to all members, the Juried Show, a monthly Town hall display of member’s art work, and now, we will have 3 summer outdoor exhibitions that are open to our members. Read about the details as to how to participate in these exhibitions in this issue. Our Annual meeting is next fall at the Madison Surf Club which is always a good time. During the Summer, we meet every Wednesday morning to paint outdoors if it is not raining. In the winter, we provide studio time to paint together on Mondays. We are currently working on our 501 3C tax exempt status so we can pursue grants and work with donors. Please take advantage of the many options that we have provided to become an active member in our organization. Welcome aboard to our several new members.

Beverly Schirmeier
MAS President

MADISON ART SOCIETY 2008 EVENTS

Demonstrations

Sunday, May 18th 1:30p.m. Rob DeBartolo, pastel demonstration at the Scranton Library
Thursdays at the Memorial Town Hall, Madison
June 5th 6:00p.m., Hollis Dunlap, Portrait painting in oil with a model
July 10th 6:30 p.m., Shauna Shane animal study using a combination of acrylic paint and pastels
August 7th 6:30 p.m., Chris Zhang, a portrait demonstration with a model
October – Gabor Svagrik date to be announced.

Outdoor Exhibitions

Deacon Grave House –July 12th, Saturday. They are having an Open House and it is the same time as the Antique Fair on the Green. There is no charge to MAS artists, however a 10% donation of sales will be donated to the DGH. Artists could display work on the display racks, the fence at the DGH, in the barn or nailed on the barn (remove nails) or under their own tents. RSVP Bschirmeier@yahoo.com.

The Library Festival of the Arts - Courtyard Sale –Saturday, August 2nd or August 3rd rain date Seymour Page, John Copelin and Dick Christofferson are coordinating this event for on the Wall Street location behind the library. A donation of 10% for paintings sold will go to the Scranton Library. A small fee will be charged for ad space expenses and rental of a tent from the Lions for those that do not have their own tent. Limited space is available so contact Seymour ASAP 203-245-7280 or seymourpage@sbcglobal.net.

Friends of Hammonasett- October 4th and 5th. There would be no cost to MAS members to enter the show or for the 30 by 60 foot tent since they have a grant. We could use the tent (about 12 artists) or artists can put up their individual tents for free. We have 12 artists already. He would like a commitment of 20 to 30 artists. There is a 25% donation for paintings that are sold that goes to the Friends of Hammonasett to build an event room 45 by 45 feet at the Nature Preserve. RSVP interest by June 1st to Bschirmeier @yahoo.com.

Plein air Painting
MAS members go outdoors to paint on Wednesday mornings in the summer. If you are a member and are interested in joining us, contact Bschirmeier@yahoo.com.