QUARTERLY QUOTE

A white lace curtain on the window was for me as important as a great work of art. This gossamer quality, the reflection, the form, the movement. I learned more about art from that than I did in school.

Louise Nevelson

 

IT’S COLD OUT THERE, BUT THE VPS ISN’T CHILLIN’–WE’RE ON FIRE

Our hubs engaged in many and varied activities last year and this year promises to offer even more to learn about and take inspiration from

We have two amazing workshops scheduled this year, one just a couple months from now.

We have a members’ exhibition and juried show being planned for 2018, details to be announced.

Continue reading below for more information.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

April 23-27, 2018: Alain Picard Workshop at Bennington Center for the Arts, Bennington, VT

June 21-24, 2018: Karen Margulis Workshop in Hyde Park, VT

VPS REGIONAL HUBS UPDATE

Some hubs are representing the VPS with regional shows right now; some are meeting monthly with informative talks, regular art-making activities, and critique sessions; and some have plans to rotate gatherings at hub members’ studios or houses with an activity idea offered by the hosting member. And they get reported on in Hub Happenings so we can all learn from and then make similar things happen in our own hubs, if we choose.

The newest idea has been to create a VPS Social Media Team by having one or two members of each hub become Social Media Artists (SMAs), offering to photograph hub events, activities, shows and post those images on FaceBook and Instagram. Additionally, if a VPS workshop or the VPS Members’ Exhibition or Juried Show is in a venue within their hub’s region, then the SMA would photograph the reception and promote it similarly. So far, VPS SouthEast, SouthWest, and Upper Valley have embraced this idea with the other hubs moving in that direction. We have some savvy artists in every hub who understand FB and Instagram and have offered to be of help to their hub. Thank you for helping to make the VPS Social Media Team a reality!

VPS EXHIBTIONS

Whether it’s our state or the state of art venues in our state, Susannah has been finding out what previous Exhibitions Coordinators have found out–you can’t count on anything. One of the two venues that promised a 2018 show to the VPS changed ownership and is re-organzing the calendar year, and the other is withdrawing its offer. So we are looking for other places. Hub members have been asked to offer suggestions, so let Susannah Colby know if you have an idea.

Also, as Exhibitions is becoming a bigger part of the VPS experience, and with the Members’ Exhibition becoming more of an event to promote and celebrate, the Exhibitions Team is looking for VPS artists who want to contribute to the effort in specialized ways–such as writing a press release, drafting a show summary for our website, etc. Please contact Susannah, by clicking on the blue link above, if you would like to join the team.

VPS WORKSHOPS

Alain Picard’s workshop, April 23-27, in Bennington, VT, organized by Linda Masten (VPS SouthWest), will be a combination of portrait-making for 2 days and landscape-painting for 3 days,. Artists can take one or both parts. To date, there are 11 signed up, so register today!

Karen Margulis’ Workshop, June 21-24, in Hyde Park, VT is being organized by Diane Szlachetka and Patti Braun (both from VPS Central). As it, too, already has 11 registrants, please sign up soon if you want to assure yourself a place!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE VPS!

We are who we are from the inspiration, creativity and energy that you all give to our organization. Keep it coming, will you!

Matthew Peake

QUARTERLY QUOTE

Artists don’t talk about art. Artists talk about work…. Stop thinking about it as art. Think about it as work. Art is for academics. Art is for scholars. Art is for audiences. Art is not for artists.

Paddy Chayefsky

 

SUMMER HAS SEGUED INTO FALL

 We now have six active hubs

We’ve completed one show and one is currently hanging.

We’ve had two very successful workshops

And finally, our annual meeting is but a month away

Continue reading below for more details.

 

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

The VPS Juried Show September 14-December 27, 2017 at the Coolidge Hotel in WRJ, VT

VPS Board Meeting on Sunday, October 15, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. at the Tuckerbox Restaurant in White River Junction

VPS Members’ Annual Meeting on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. at the College of St. Joseph in Rutland, VT

VPS REGIONAL HUBS UPDATE

I met, on Friday, September 29, with 2 of the 3 artists of the St. Johnsbury/Newport region, and we had a very productive discussion. Much of our time was spent on ways to enlarge the hub from three to six or seven members to make it a viable hub, but we couldn’t come up with any workable plans. It was decided to have the three artists join the existing hub they were closest to, which turned out to be VPS Central, until which time when more artists might join the VPS from that area in VT.

Since my last newsletter, in the last three months, that is, we have had seven issues of Hub Happenings and a hub show being hung. The VPS really feels like a vibrant organization and very fun one to belong to.

VPS JURIED SHOW AT THE HOTEL COOLIDGE IN WRJ

As the venue was small, only 29 paintings were able to be selected for the show, so these are really great pieces. Judge Doug Dawson, after concluding his workshop, traveled north to judge the show, and although he knows the five prize winners, no one else does. They will be revealed at the reception on Friday, November 3, 2017 from 5-7pm during Art Walk in WRJ. There will be a Best in Show, Second Place and Third Place awards, The Cape Cod Pastel Society Award, and a new award, The Mallory Lake Memorial Award. So please put it on your calendars and attend the reception–and see the show whenever you can as the hotel is open 24/7!

Read more at VPS Website Exhibitions.

VPS WORKSHOP WITH DOUG DAWSON IN NEWFANE, VT

Doug Dawson’s workshop was greatly successful, with 18 attendees. It made a sizable profit for our VPS, but more importantly, it generated a lot of enthusiastic discussions among not only the participants, but in at least two hubs where his ideas and problem solving approaches were talked about at length. Let’s give a big thank you to Jean Pollack for her organizational efforts in getting this workshop for the VPS.

VPS BOARD MEETING

The agenda for the board meeting in White River Junction will include a summary of the financial health of our VPS, as well as discussions of upcoming workshops, exhibitions and planning for the annual meeting. Although this is a board meeting, any artist from the VPS can attend.

VPS MEMBERS’ ANNUAL MEETING

As usual, we will divide our two hours into a business meeting for the first hour (or less) and a pastel activity for everyone in the second hour (or more). This will be something new and different, challenging and fun. We will send more information about what to bring with you closer to the date of the meeting, which is on November 5, 2017 from 2-4.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN THE VPS!

We continue to grow and thrive from the creativity, inspiration and energy that you all give to our organization. Keep it coming will you!

Matt Peake

President, Vermont Pastel Society