President’s Message – August 2024

I hope you’ve been having a memorable summer. The kids are heading back to school and we’re heading back into change, workshops and general meetings.

This is my last letter as President of BWS! The last two years have flown by! It has been wonderful experience getting to know everyone and be a part of the great events we have done. Lynn Devlin has volunteered for the role of President. She’s a warm, caring, can-do person and I know you will benefit from her leadership.

Please show your support for Lynn at the election of the new Board Members at the General Meeting on Saturday, September 7, 12-3 pm. The General Meeting will start at noon, the first hour will be a brown bag lunch/socializing opportunity, followed by the business meeting at 1:00 pm.

Unfortunately, I’ve known for about three months, that have to work that day. I will be completing a work project that I’ve been a part of for over a year and won’t be able to attend. I’m excited for those who have committed to supporting you in 2025 and beyond.

A reminder that starting in September, Susan Grabowski, sgrabbers@aol.com and Susan Carden-Flicker, scarden@snet.net will be your coordinators and hosts for the mini-workshops. They have graciously volunteered to fill the role. In September, you’ll see the webpage updated with their contact information.

The remaining workshops this year are:

Thank you all for your friendship and the opportunity to serve!

“A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art.”
– Paul Cezanne

 

– Teri Mahnken

Teri Mahnken
President, Brevard Watercolor Society

President’s Message – July 2024

I hope everyone is having a good summer and taking advantage of some painting time in the cool of your homes. Membership has requested summer mini-workshops and we’re pleased to let you know the dates and the community center have been reserved for June and July of next year.

I am pleased to announce that starting in September, Susan Grabowski, sgrabbers@aol.com and Susan Carden-Flicker, scarden@snet.net will be your coordinators and hosts for the mini-workshops.

They have graciously volunteered to fill the role. In September, you’ll see the website updated with their contact information.

Our Mini-Workshop topics and artists for August, September and October are set, including the much-requested one about entering art shows. Click on the listings/photos below for more information and to register.

The supply lists will appear on the registration confirmation page. Additional drawings and information may be sent by the workshop team closer to the event date.

Other upcoming events include the FWS Convention, September 20-21 in St. Petersburg. The Wildlife Show will be returning, more details to come.

Please take a minute thank a Board Member – a lot of visible work done by volunteers and committee leads is seen at events and art shows. The day-to-day operation of the organization goes on behind the scenes with the BWS Board. They and the previous board, have been invaluable in helping me the last two years as president.

  • Donna Ware, VP and Membership – she keeps track of the current members, new and tenured. She also offers to help any time I reach out for assistance. Always present and available.
  • Sheila Harnois, Secretary – as the business and ideas flow excitedly at our meetings, both General and Board, Shelia captures it all. It’s not an easy job and all the previous secretaries will attest!
  • Linda South, Treasurer – has worked innumerable hours to better automate and shore up our financial record keeping. She’s been a rock for me. She’s a strong leader and functions well in the early morning hours too.

Speaking of the board, elections will be held at the General Meeting on Saturday, September 7, 12-3 pm. Two positions are open: President and Vice President – 2-3 Workshops. In May a Nominations Committee was formed with members Therese Ferguson, Laurie Griffin and Maria Trieste. A formal announcement of volunteers for the roles is expected in August. Lynn Devlin has volunteered for the role of President. Please join us for the elections meeting and show your support for the election of the new Board Members.

Going forward, the General Meetings will start at noon, the first hour will be a brown bag lunch/socializing opportunity, followed by the business meeting at 1:00 pm.

“Whether you succeed or not is irrelevant, there is no such thing. Making your unknown known is the important thing.”
– Georgia O’Keeffe

 

– Teri Mahnken

Teri Mahnken
President, Brevard Watercolor Society

BWS General Meeting Minutes of January 11, 2020

The meeting was called to order by President Donah Miller at 1:00 PM.

A hand of applause was given for Barbara Brennan for her return after illness.

Guests and new members were introduced.

Donah then reported that her husband Al, a long-time and active member of BWS had passed, and invited all members to his celebration of life on January 18, 2020.

Minutes of September and November meetings:  Diane Harmon motioned that the September minutes be accepted; Mary Warnick seconded.  Passed.

Ken Spaulding motioned that the November minutes be accepted; Debbie Marriott seconded.  Passed.

Treasurer’s Report:  Debbie Marriott presented the annual report for 2019 (attached).  Current checkbook balance is $11,657.29.  The biggest expense was the new Website, which is a big success.

Karen Krosnick reported on workshops.  The Dave Becker workshop in March has not yet reached minimum enrollment, which must be obtained by February 14th or the workshop will be cancelled.  She stressed that the workshops are both educational and fun, and much less expensive than most of this quality at $275 for members.

Barbara Rios reported that there are currently 178 members.  Only 30% have renewed.  There are 14 new members.

Laurie Griffin reported on mini workshops.  The next one is January 25th with Ed Carlson.  Attendees must sign up in advance to assure adequate space.

Barbara Rios reported on Plein-aire.  The next outing is in Cocoa Village on January 18th from 9 AM to noon.  Meet at Riverside Park.

Renee Stewart report on Art Education Grants.  High school teachers will apply for grants by January 31st.  Therese Ferguson pointed out that there are points for service. Renee noted that supplies from an artists estate have been donated to BWS and need to be picked up.  Donah will either pick up herself or get help.

Communications:  Diane Harmon Asked that anyone not getting email from BWS to contact her.  The email newsletter will go out every other month after the general meetings.  She also asked for paintings for the Zonta silent auction.  Call her to arrange pick-up.

Webmaster:  Pat Bowlds was not present;  Diane asked people to talk to her if they have questions.

Splash:  Phyliss Marple, with Debbie Whalen, Cindy McKee, and Susan Kessler.

Phyliss reminded all that the prospectus says that applications must be postmarked by February 3rd,  but to do it on line if at all possible.  The final volunteer meeting will be Sunday February 2nd from 2-4 PM at Art Oasis on S.Patrick Dr., Satellite Beach. Susan reported that the Marketplace is closed, and that all unframed paintings and prints should be wrapped in plastic.  Those in the marketplace should deliver their entries to the show first, then go to west side entrance of Azan to bring in their work and set up their area.  Time is 9-10 AM. Friday February 14th.  Debbie reported on baskets that will be raffled.  All baskets will be given away on Sunday afternoon.  Winners do not need to be present.  She passed a hat for donations for the baskets.  Rose Fen mentioned that artwork is needed for the silent auction, and Beth Kring asked for volunteers to put up signs before the show, and bring them back after.  Cindy has 75 posters and plenty of postcards fro members to use.  Pick up before leaving.  She will make available a jpeg of the postcard and asked members to post it on Facebook and/o1 send to friends.  She also showed how the 8×8 paintings will look.  They will sell for $45 and 75% of the proceeds will go to charity.  Phyliss asked members to think about next year’s Splash and to start early doing the work.  The reception on Friday the 14th will be catered by the Green Turtle, with young people at waiters.

Donah asked for anyone willing to serve on the Board in 2021 to step forward.  A nominating committee is needed soon, as elections are held in November.

Mary Warnick motioned that meeting be adjourned at 2:10 PM.

The business meeting was followed by 4 members showing and telling about a painting they had done and what their inspiration was.

Therese Ferguson demonstrated painting a still life including glass and peppers.

Respectfully submitted,

Mary Warnick, Secretary

September BWS General Meeting Review

Through the years, I have always felt blessed to see people in various organizations volunteer to work together for the common good. Last week at the September 14th BWS general meeting, I experienced that same cohesive feeling of camaraderie when I saw my fellow artists step forward and volunteer to fill vacant offices, chair a committee or join a committee that needed help. The board put out a call for help and the membership said YES. Isn’t it just wonderful when everything falls naturally into place?

We are proud to announce the new BWS elected officers:

  • Our 1st Vice President (workshops) is Karen Krosnick,
  • Our 2nd Vice President (Membership) is Barbara Rios,
  • and our Secretary is Mary Warnick.

I also wish to thank Cathy Robinson for volunteering to be our new greeter, and Pat Bowlds and Grace Delanoy for all their hard work in creating our lovely new website. 

Special thanks to Frank Spino for the wonderful demo immediately following our meeting. We all appreciate the opportunity to learn from such a talented artist, and are fortunate to have him as an active member.

After the Saturday meeting, I received an email from Phyllis Marple offering to chair a committee of BWS members to run Splash 2020. The committee is composed of Debbie Whalen, Cindy McKee, Lolly Walton and of course, Phyllis Marple. What a pleasant surprise it was to discover that they were willing to take on this monumental job for us. Many of these ladies have worked Splash shows in the past, and are very experienced with Splash operations.

My thanks go out to all of you who have volunteered to sacrifice their time and energy for BWS. We still have a few positions open. Currently, we need chairs for Publicity (other than Splash), Plein-air, a webmaster apprentice, and more teachers willing to do mini workshops.  If you are interested in any of these positions, let any board member or committee chair know.

Donah Miller
BWS President

Photos courtesy of Ruth Foreman.