VPS Newsletter April 2025

HAPPY SPRING!

Keep staying “Art Strong”!!

Winter has finally given up except for a few fits and starts, it’s off and running into spring and beyond.  Our VPS calendar is moving right along with our Member Exhibit at the Chaffee on display now!  Our Reception is April 26 from 2-4 PM – (apologies for the late newsletter – computer glitches); however, the show runs through May 22 so there is plenty of time to review VPS artistry!  The -WOW- is we have 81 paintings on display with over 30 participants!  Congratulations to the Mid State HUB for all your efforts.

Here is our pipeline of present and upcoming calendar events – VPS is busy!!

2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 11- May 22:  Member Exhibition, Chaffee Art Center, Rutland.  Reception April 26, 2-4 PM, VPS Midstate Hub sponsored

October 10-12 AND Oct 14-16:  Liz Haywood-Sullivan Workshop: Bennington Monument Arts & Cultural Center

October – November 22:  Fall Juried Show:  VPS: SE Hub sponsored, Vermont Artisan Designs, Brattleboro

NEW!! ADIRONDACK PASTEL SOCIETY WORKSHOP: 

Doug Dawson Landscapes Workshop (as part of the APS National Show:  July 18-20/ 9am-4pm.

Location:  The Shirt Factory, 71 Lawrence St, Suite 311, Glens Falls, NY

Email to: [email protected] for more info and to reserve a spot:

APS members – $475/ Non-APS members $525

2026 PROPOSED EVENTS CALENDAR

April – Mid May:  Juried Show

August- September:  Member Exhibition at Artistree in Pomfret, Upper Valley HUB

TBD Workshop:  Lyn Assalta

October 2-4:  Workshop:  Marlene Wiedenbaum in Bennington

VPS Board/ Member News

Your Spring Board Meeting occurred on April 14, 4-6 PM,  by Zoom.  Our Board and HUB have been very busy setting up shows and workshops and seeing that they run smoothly, as you can see by the calendars above.  And you HUB members contribute generously to making these events grow the talents within VPS!

We have seen the joining of new members in the past year but we have also lost a number for various reasons.  Invite people to join us in exploring the vibrancy of pastel painting as well as the joy the art beings to other.  Our HUB communities support all of us.

WORKSHOP SCHOLARSHIPS

VPS is offering one $200 Scholarship per Workshop.  Applications are available on the website.  Applicants must be VPS members for more than a year, accepted into a Workshop, state reasons for needing the Scholarship, be willing to present highlights from the Workshop to their local HUB or at an Annual Meeting, must not be a currently serving Board member, and the application must be received within one week of being accepted into the Workshop.  The VPS Treasurer will issue a check to the accepted artist and mail it to the artist once the applicant has completed the Workshop.  If the applicant withdraws from the Workshop, the Scholarship offer is void.

FEATHER FLAGS

The Board considered the use of a ‘feather flag’ or ‘sandwich board’ outside our event venues. It was decided that present venues would be asked if these would be allowed before their use.  Decisions on their use will be made in the future – stay tuned!

INSURANCE NEWS

VPS now has a comprehensive liability insurance policy.  The Board is working on finalizing its appropriate policy on alcohol.  Our insurance policy does not cover alcohol being served at our event receptions.  More on this in the future.

BOARD POSITIONS

Here we are again – VPS needs your vital help!!  At present we are in need of one of YOU to step up into the Vice President position.  And, not far down the road – as in – October – our Treasurer is retiring.  Our Webmaster is wanting to take over that position and, with his financial experience, we will remain in great shape!  This means VPS will need a new WEBMASTER!  Sooooo……if any of you have website experience – or even if you don’t (John took on the job knowing nothing at the beginning – wow!), PLEASE contact VPS and volunteer!  YOU are REALLY needed to help VPS stay strong and vibrant!  By the way, John reported that through his efforts, he has stopped all outside of the country attempts to enter our website!

SEE YOU ON THE ART TRAIL!

Shirley Carlson                                                                                                                                            VPS President