President’s Message – March 2023

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President’s Letter, March 2023

This month, I’m writing about gratitude. As many of you know, a lot of the people who committed to helping with our various initiatives aren’t able to do their roles right now. As they are passing the baton to me for coverage, I get a chance to know them better and what they’re facing. As I am recruiting volunteers and covering those roles, I’m getting to know more and more people! I am grateful for the opportunity to serve this group and be surrounded by such talent, creativity and really fabulous personalities.

I am grateful to the Board members who help me out every day and Linda South and Sheila Harnois who have volunteered to fill the roles of Treasurer and Secretary in the September Elections.

Splash was a great success his year. We had 800 attend and made approximately $7500 after expenses.   2022 was 500 in attendance and approximately $5000 after expenses. Thank you to the many members who worked so hard and put in many, many hours to make this such a success!

Thank you all for the great turn out at the last March 11 General Meeting. The by-law modification motion unanimously passed: “Current President and Webmaster will get an honorary membership for the length of service. Past presidents, including the sitting president at the time of the adoption of the November 13, 2021 bylaws,  will be considered “grandfathered” under the previous bylaws with lifetime honorary memberships.”

We still have a few more roles to fill: Webmaster, Splash chair, Mini Workshop chair and Vice President.  Please consider helping! It really is wonderful to work more closely with our wonderful members.

Speaking of membership…..we’re down in renewals this year. If you didn’t rejoin and are reading this, please reach out to me. I’d like to understand why. During our next board meeting we will be reviewing last year’s survey results and see what we need to change, bring back, etc. You have our ears! BWSPresident@outlook.com

Barbara Brook’s workshop offered a “coming of age” experience for me. I finally feel like I know what I’m doing! She shared this tidbit with our group: Daniel Smith offers weekly watercolor demos. To sign up: https://danielsmith.com/newsletter-signup/ . To see previous demos: https://us1.campaign-archive.com/home/?u=f5d8893a5b120ae636b0bc171&id=d973a6a1dd .

We are grateful for the continued support of our Splash Sponsors. Please support them when you can and be sure to thank them for helping us out.

 

 

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” – Pablo Picasso

Teri Mahnken

President, Brevard Watercolor Society

 

President’s Message – February 2023

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President’s Message, February 2023

Happy February!

Is everyone recovering from their tremendous output of effort for Splash? It was a beautiful show with approximately 1/3 of our members entering paintings for judging. I know of four more who have committed to enter for the first time next year….let’s keep that momentum going! I spoke with a few of the student artists and hope they will become involved with us. Their art is edgy and new and there’s much we can all learn from each other. Award recipients and photos will be on the website soon. Some event photos have already been posted on our Facebook page.

Thank you to our many artists for their entries in the show this year. I’m so impressed with the talent we have in our group.

Many thanks to all the members who have given months of their time in bringing this all together and those who assisted this weekend. There’s always feedback to be shared during and after the show. The committee reviews all of it and applies it to next year’s event. Please take time to extend your compliments and thanks to the group and let them know their efforts are appreciated!

March will bring Barbara Brook our way with a 2-day workshop, March and 12 and 13th, with a demo during the General meeting. I have enjoyed talking with her and I think you’ll enjoy this former member’s workshop. We have met our minimum attendance count so we can still take registrations through March 4th. You can register online here: https://brevardwatercolorsociety.org/event/2-day-workshop-with-barbara-brook-know-your-pallet/

Please plan to attend the General meeting and Barbara’s demo. We have a lot of news to share. March 11, 1-3pm, Wickham Park Community Center, 2815 Leisure Way, Melbourne.

 “The aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” – Aristotle

 

Teri Mahnken

President, Brevard Watercolor Society

 

President’s Message – January 2023

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President’s Message, January 2023   Hello Winter! Our snowbirds are returning and excitement is building as the time nears for Splash! I am anxious to see the entries and all […]

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President’s Message, December 2022

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President’s Message, December 2022

Season’s Greetings and a big “welcome back” to our snowbirds.

As the holidays approach and 2022 comes to an end, remember to carve out some time for yourself. Count your blessings, set your goals, and do or create something just for you. When you nurture yourself, even for brief moments here and there, you re-energize yourself and are then able to better care for all of the people who admire and rely on you.

Congratulations to all our award winners from the wildlife show: Flora & Fauna of Brevard County! Photos of the winning entries are on our Facebook Page.  The entries were magnificent. Please take time out of your busy holiday schedules to view all of the paintings: Cocoa Library, Viera Government Building, floors 1-3 and the Eau Gallie Library. Many thanks to Therese Ferguson and Darleen Hunt and all of the volunteers who helped make this event such a success.

Splash is approaching fast!  February 18-19, 2023. You’ll find the Prospectus here. Open to all BWS members whose dues have been paid by January 1, 2023, or with the Splash application.

Speaking of which…..2023 Membership can be done on line. Membership renewal and application. Questions can be directed to Donna Ware.

A reminder and a plea – Laurie Griffin will end her role as Mini-Workshop Coordinator at the end of the year. We have not had anyone come forward to fill the role. We need someone to continue this high interest program for our group. Please let me know if you’re interested in bringing your ideas and commitment to the role. BWSPresident@outlook.com.

We have another committee position coming open later in 2023. Michele Loftus-Trzcinski will end her role as Webmaster in December 2023.  Please let me know if you’re interested. We’re hoping to get an early commitment for a smooth transition.

Keeping the group active and informed is all done through volunteering. I invite you to contribute your talent and some of your time to keep us going strong.

Under the category of counting blessings – I want to thank the Board, Committee members and Diane Harmon who have been so helpful in familiarizing me with the inner workings of BWS. I was moved beyond words by all of the members who offered personal notes of encouragement at the General Meeting.

 

Wishing you all the best,

 

Teri Mahnken

BWS President

President’s Message, October 2022

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President’s Message, October  2022

 

Hello everyone!

 

Congratulations to our members who received awards and recognition at the Florida Watercolor Society’s convention in Charlotte Harbor: Sue Doucette, Barbara Burkhardt, Janet Davis, Darleen Hunt, Lori Pitten Jenkins, Linda Schuler, and Frank Spino.

 

Have your paintbrushes been busy preparing for the Wildlife Show and Splash? Both are fast approaching!   Mark your calendars now for Splash the weekend of February 18-19, 2023.

 

Laurie Griffin will end her role as Mini-Workshop Coordinator at the end of the year. We need someone to continue this high interest program for our group. An email is being sent describing the position. Please let me know if you’re interested in bringing your ideas and commitment to the role. BWSPresident@outlook.com

 

Amazon has a program for giving donations to non-profit organizations and we have set ourselves up under the program. When you shop, they send a percentage of your purchase to your selected charity. All it takes is a one-time selection of the charity (us) and instead of going to amazon.com to shop, you go to smile.amazon.com instead. That’s it!  Please consider setting this up before your holiday shopping begins. For more information, please see their Q&A page.

 

Many of us will be traveling in the next few months, either as an autumn getaway or for the holidays. I always take some art supplies with me. When you travel do you take your watercolors with you? A full set or a travel set? Do you take good paper, pads or books? Do you plan time paint or only if you can “catch” an opportunity? Drop me a note about your travel art and I’ll share in next month’s Message. BWSPresident@outlook.com.

 

Keep creating!

Teri Mahnken
BWS President

President’s Message – September 2022

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President’s Message, September 2022
Hello everyone!

Thank you all for your encouragement and support during the election last week. Many thanks to Diane for the service she has given for the organization and for all the preparation she did in passing the torch.

Please congratulate Jolene Bruce on her new (again) Vice President / 3 day workshops role and Donna Ware on returning for a second term and 2nd Vice President / Membership

 

A little about myself. I moved to Florida a little over eight years ago – it is my soul state. I’m still working full-time as a Quality Assurance Engineer for Satcom Direct, a local flight operations and satellite communications company. I am a beginning watercolorist and am learning so much from this group. I could not bear to let the organization fold and offered to fill the role of President.

The Wildlife Show is returning this year! The show will open at the old Brevard Art Museum in Eau Gallie for 2 weeks beginning November 11, 2022, and will include an opening awards reception for the artists, then will move to three other locations throughout Brevard for the month of December, the Government Building in Viera, the Eau Gallie and Cocoa Libraries.

Splash had its kickoff on Thursday, September 1. Splash is special to me as it was my introduction to the wonderful world of the Brevard Watercolor Society. Mark your calendars now for the weekend of February 18-19, 2023.

Thank you again for the warm reception. I look forward to getting to know each of you!
Teri Mahnken
BWS President

President’s Message, July 2022

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First, I want to congratulate Laurie on a fun and enjoyable zoom workshop with Vlad. I have heard nothing but praises. I know Laurie works hard on bringing us these mini workshops and I do appreciate it. If you can and took the class, please post your results on Facebook. We have another one coming up July 27 with Anne Abgott. The class is now full.

I was recently contacted by a reporter, who plans on featuring BWS in future issues so keep a lookout for that in local paper and magazines. She is also reporting on Helen Morr, our 1st place Splash winner 2022.

All the board members and chairman with the help of Michele Loftus-Trzcinski, have been working on updating our website. If you see incorrect information, please let me know. Also remember to post on our Facebook pages. We would all love to see your latest art work and hear about classes you take!

On a sad note, no one has offered to run for President when my term ends in September. I will soon be gathering information on how to dissolve our wonderful society. There is money to be dealt with and supplies to be sold or given to other organizations. I am hoping it will not come to this but I feel afraid it will be so.

Please have a wonderful day and stay safe,
Diane Harmon
BWS President

President’s Message, June 2022

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It has been a while since I sent one of these out. But I want to thank all the people who have been working so hard to get us up and running again.

First, I want to thank all our board members who have worked with me to figure out how to make BWS even better than it was. We have had many board meetings to discuss ways to improve BWS and move forward after the setback Covid caused.

I am proud to say membership is up and raising. Thank you Donna Ware for keeping track of this.
Karen Sullenger has moved out of state but continued to work as our VP in charge of 3day workshops until we found a replacement. Thankfully, Jolene Bruce had offered to fill that role until she is elected in September.

Laurie Griffin, our mini workshop chairman, has been unbelievable finding artists to do not only in person workshops but zoom ones. There are 2 wonderful ones lined up for the upcoming months. Get your checks in so you don’t get closed out!

Laurel Jolly did a great job as treasurer dealing with Splash. Deb Marriot was Laurel’s right had man is getting all that taken care of.

Splash went off smoothly and was one of our most profitable ones yet! Laurie Griffin did a great job leading her team. They say many hands make for light work but I am not sure this was light work! Thank you, Ginny Wright, Therese Ferguson, Lynn Tweed, Barbara Rios, Sally Anderson, Barbara Harris, Marjorie Carey, Kathy Benson, Cindy McKee, Beth Kring, Karen Sullenger, Lori Jenkins, Rose Allen, and Dorothy Koliba.  If I missed anyone, thank you too!  And I apologize for missing you!

Shout out to Barbara Rios who led a fun and informative mini workshop. So much information and so little time! I think I can speak for everyone when I say we had fun and all learned something!

There is one sad note. As many of you know my term is up this September. I had a wonderful time these last 2+ years. But I feel I am done and need to pass the crown. I will continue to do email blasts and will help ease someone into this position. But so far we do not have any candidates. If someone does not step forward, we will have to consider disbanding. What a shame that would be. There has been talk of a dual president position. That would be better than dissolving and could be considered.

Please have a great day and be safe!

Sincerely,
Diane Harmon
BWS President

President’s Message – October 2021

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Well summer is over and hopefully soon hurricane season will be gone also!

We had a good but quiet summer. The August mini that was originally planned was canceled but Laurie Griffin stepped in and lead us through some lovely sunflower paintings. Our September mini was lead by Jan Faerber. An exercise on the degrees of shadows. You can see examples of our work on our face book page. About 20 people attended. Click here for video link.

Here is another helpful link by Anne Abgott. Click here

October’s mini will be lead by Therese Ferguson and will involve painting on black paper. The date is 10/23.

The Brevard Teacher’s Art class was a great success thanks to Jolene Bruce and all the other volunteers. We hope to be able to offer this again next year to encourage watercolor in Brevard schools.
Elections were held in the September meeting. Laurel Jolly is our new treasurer and Kathy Benson our new secretary. I would like to personally thank them for offering up their services. I also would like to thank Deb Marriott and Mary Warnick for their years of service and the great job they did.

We currently have a crew working on Splash for next year. If you are interested in helping please contact Laurie Griffin. lbgriffi88@gmail.com

Our 3-Day Workshop with Vladislav Yeliseyev 11/14/21-11/16/21 at present, so far this will be in person. Sign up soon so you don’t get left out!
I have included our meeting minutes below for you to read.

I think that is all for now, have a great day and stay safe!

Diane Harmon
BWS President

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BWS GENERAL MEETING SEPT 11, 2021

Vice President Donna Ware opened the Zoom meeting at 1:07
Participants = 18
New members = Ann Fry

Motion to accept minutes from May 8th meeting
Motion : Laurie Griffin
Seconded: Michele
Motion carried

Treasurer’s Report: Debby Marriott
Checking:
Initial balance of net checking is $14,214.67
Annual insurance bill is $1761.21 paid 09/23/2021
Leaving 12,453.46

Education fund: $3218 .81

ELECTIONS: Present slate accepted.

Social Media: Ruth Foreman:  Nothing to report

Post on public Facebook: Elizabeth Bishop: Nothing to report

On line gallery update:  Nothing to report.

Plein Air: Kathie Benson  reported for Rose Allan:
The group has been meeting every Tuesday at different locations throughout Brevard County from 9:00 AM to 1200PM.

Art in Education: No one present to report

Membership : 47 not renewed, 146 current

3-Day Workshop:
Vladislav Yeliseyev  11/14/21-11/16/21
At present, this will be in person.

MINI  workshop:
September 25th Jan Farber: Colorful shadows
October 23rd Therese Ferguson : Painting on black paper.

MIWA:  Nothing to report

SUNSHINE: Nothing to report

OLD BUSINESS:

Are we meeting in person nest month? Yes.

SPLASH: Laurie Griffin
Debbie F suggested asking for gift cards
Office Depot shopping card saves money making labels, etc.

Next general meeting is live on November 13th with Vladislav Yeliseyev .

MEETING ADJOURNED: 1:27 PM

Susan Smith made a motion to adjourn.

Carolyn Jones seconded.

Minutes submitted by Kathie Benson, Secretary

President’s Message, June 2021

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Summer is here so we are taking a small break but I wanted to update you on a few things. Please take a few minutes and read this to the end. I will try to be brief.

First our mini-workshop was a lot of fun. We had over 20 members with many laughs. It was great seeing old friends again-lots of new hair dos and colors! We shared tips and ideas. Watched Therese Ferguson do a demo on black watercolor paper. And got great information about the Brevard Cultural Alliance from Lynn Brezina. All in a safe and roomy atmosphere.

Our Art and Education Chairman, Jolene Bruce, has been working with Annamarie Zing from Brevard County Schools to plan a teacher lesson for high school art teachers. She and I have been collecting supplies and art books to help with the project.

This September we need to elect a new secretary and treasurer. Mary Warnick and Deb Marriott have both done exceptional work. We are lucky to have such dedicated people willing to help us. We thank them for their service. We currently have one candidate for each position. George Breslau has agreed to run for treasurer. Kathie Benson for secretary. If anyone else is interested please contact me so you name can be included in the vote which will take place at the September meeting.

Our next mini workshop is the end of August. We are still looking teachers to do workshops later in the year. Contact Laurie Griffin if you are interested.

Elizabeth Bishop is getting us a new facebook page that will be open to the public. She is working with Ruth Foreman to get this accomplished.

Well I guess that is all for now! See you all in August I hope!

Diane Harmon
BWS President