VPS Newsletter July 2018

 

QUARTERLY QUOTE

“I have touched with a sense of art some people—they felt the love and the life. Can you offer me anything to compare to that joy for an artist?”

Mary Cassatt

We’ve had our two workshops and they were sensational. Our Members’ Exhibition is up for viewing, and our Juried Show is coming this fall.

CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:

June 22-July 28, 2018: VPS Members’ Exhibition at The Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, VT.

September 29-November 17, 2018: VPS Juried Show at Laumeister Art Center, Bennington, VT

VPS REGIONAL HUBS UPDATE

We are currently celebrating, unofficially and without fanfare, the 1-year anniversary of the VPS Regional Hubs Initiative. In the past year, we can remark on several things that have occurred as a consequence of starting the hubs.

First, regional artists are getting together more than ever with their pastel painting comrades, and sharing in a wide range of activities.

Second, most of the hubs are having local shows of their hub’s artists’ works, or are talking about venues to show at. This means that instead of us having only two state-wide VPS shows a year, we now are more frequently promoting VPS artists regionally and having more opportunities to exhibit our work.

Third, as this year’s Members’ Exhibition demonstrated, the hub, in the region where the show is taking place, works with Susannah and the venue to receive the paintings, to organize the reception, to photograph the event, and to help with taking down the exhibition. VPS MidState did a fantastic job with all parts of this task, and has set the bar high for the next hub—VPS SouthWest—in the fall with the Juried Show. Thank you, VPS: MidState for showing us the way and thank you VPS: SouthWest for taking the baton from them.

Fourth, our membership is growing to over 100 members, and some of that growth is a result of the attraction of the regional hubs.

In other Hub news, VPS SouthWest has added Shelli Duboff as a point person, joining Linda Masten. VPS UpperValley has another duo as point people—Kathy Detzer and Paula Dorr, taking over for Michael Shafer. Thank you Shelli, Kathy, and Paula for stepping up to fill this very important role for your hub.

And thank you, Monica Hastings, Rodrica Tilley, Judy Albright, Linda Masten, Belle McDougal, and Kim Provost for being willing to stay on as point people for your hubs for another year. This continuity makes the hubs stronger and keeps our hub members more engaged.

VPS EXHIBTIONS

June 22-July 28, 2018: VPS Members’ Exhibition at The Chaffee Art Center, Rutland, VT.

Amid the arpeggios and trills of the violin and piano, with floral arrangements on the many table tops, and hors d’oeuvres befitting a presidential banquet, the 2018 Vermont Pastel Society’s Members’ Exhibition reception took place at the Chaffee Art Center in Rutland, Vermont on Saturday, June 23 from 2 to 6 p.m. 
Hosted by executive director, Jim Boughton and his capable staff, the Members Exhibition was attended by scores of viewers–artists and art-lovers. An awards ceremony took place at 3 p.m., with the four attending board members reading off the winners in ten creatively-crafted categories, interpreted by respected Rutland area artist William Ramage, who stepped in as our judge when the original judge had an unexpected conflict.
Special thanks to Susanna Colby and Louise Kenney who worked out all the many details of this fantastic show and reception, and to VPS MidState who coordinated the painting drop offs, the refreshments and reception, and were there to welcome the viewers, and to all the VPS artists who submitted paintings to this memorable 2018 Members’ Exhibition.

September 29-November 17, 2018: VPS Juried Show at the Laumeister Art Center in Bennington, VT.

Susannah is finalizing the details of the show with the venue and will be sending out the official announcement very soon. Stay tuned!

VPS WORKSHOPS

Here is what Linda wrote about Alain Picard’s workshop, April 23-27, in Bennington, VT: Providing a looser, painterly approach to landscapes and portraits, Alain limited his demos to instructions and encouraged artists to try new approaches. A lot of time was given to the 13 participants for painting; individualized attention was at a premium. High marks in all areas for Alain. Thank you to Linda Masten and Shelli DuBoff for arranging this rewarding workshop!

Here is what Diane Sziachetka said about the Karen Margulis’ Workshop, June 21-24, in Hyde Park, VT: Making color vibrate in the landscape was the focus of the workshop, and vibrate they did as KM shared her expertise with our group of 16 pastel artists. Using observations from nature en plein air she demonstrated how to bring color into the studio and onto the paper. The participants had ample opportunity to paint and receive personalized guidance. The program ended with everyone sharing some of their work and personal goals achieved. Thank you to Diane Sziachetka and Patti Braun for making this sensational workshop happen!

BOARD NEWS

Please see the minutes posted on the website. Some points to mention:   

We want each hub to have 2 or more artists willing and able to post to FaceBook and Instagram for your hub, so contact your point person and volunteer to do this!

All non-VPS matters (such as other workshop offerings, shows, sales, etc.) will be posted on the VPS FaceBook page, so check there if you are interested in statewide or regional matters not sponsored by the VPS.

Cindy would like to give her webmaster job to another VPS member.  Maintaining the site is not difficult, and she will teach anyone and be available to help anyone who is willing to take on the role. Please email me at [email protected] if you want to help in this way.

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, as you keep on art-making!

Matt Peake

VPS President