AWAA Steering Committee Meeting Minutes
July 7, 2010
Attendees
Nichole DeMent, Glenda Weibel, Pam Lund, Hans Westphal, David Robinson, Sarah Froyland
Minutes
Minutes from last two meetings, May and June, were approved.
Treasure's Report
None
Membership Report
As of May 21st there were 42 members. Hans has the portfolio sample books; he is going to sort through them and weed out those who are no longer members and reach out to the new members so they are included.
Street Fair
Pam learned that each business receives 10' of space in front of their building at no cost during the West Seattle Summerfest. ArtsWest has opted every year to pay $200.00 so that they could have the entire area in front of the theatre/gallery reserved for the ArtsWest and AWAA tables. AWAA has split this fee with them yearly. Pam mentioned additional options at no cost such as a tent where members could sit for free at a table alongside other local non-profits away from ArtsWest storefront. Nichole explained she was moving AWAA's group show back to July in 2011 to better facilitate members being able to share/sell their art and garner new members, therefore further potential income for the group. It is too late to change location this year, but next year alternative options could be discussed.
Hans will provide fliers for the table. From the email he sent out requesting participation only one member signed up to work on Friday and Sunday so he decided that the table will only be staffed Saturday. The AWAA canopy will be set up for members sitting on Saturday.
There was discussion on how we can engender more interest in the association through this event. David recalled his personal experience of groups participating in these events with a creative approach instead of just setting up a table next year. Suggestions included setting up art demonstrations, hands-on art experiences for fair goers as we've done in previous years and he also suggested a sidewalk painting contest/display.
Web Site
Pam to follow up with Toshi and Dana to move forward on moving the website onto our own hosting site. Thanks to Vadim Kin who has hosted it for several years under his own site.
AWAA Job Descriptions
Nichole suggested to hold off on further changes since the Venue Coordinator position is on hold and there may be other changes.
August Members' Potluck
will be at 3:00 pm, Sunday, August 15th at Audrey Zemke's home. Separate email with information to follow.
Venues Chairperson
No one has stepped forward to volunteer to fill this position at this time. Nichole will send out an email regarding the open position and discuss the need to have someone take on this task to ensure that there is consistent coordination for the artists and the businesses where the work is on display at Monday's meeting. If no one volunteers to be the venue coordinator then the decision was made to stop showing at these particular venues at this time and to re-evaluate what we are doing and how we could improve the process.
Discussion of streamlining the position ensued. An online calendar with automated reminders could be an option. Nichole recalled Ben Brackin's suggestion to create a digital database of members listed with images and info to use for group art submissions and to create more professional portfolios. She suggested these books could be shown to the venues we serve and they pick the artwork then for a small rental fee that goes back to AWAA, they get exhibits with more consistency in display and an overall professional exhibit and process. Nichole mentioned SAM Gallery and Bainbridge Arts and Crafts Gallery have similar money making rental programs to use as guides.