HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2024 provided VPS with 3 great Workshops, a Member Exhibition, and a Juried Show. 2025 is shaping up to be another dynamic year with more to picque our artistic talents. And…WOW! Is VPS talented! As I see our members at Hub meetings, workshops, and exhibitions/ shows as well as postings online, I am in awe of the artistry VPS contributes to enriching our lives with beauty, expression, and interpretation!

VPS is a vibrant art community with geographically located HUBs around the state. We are a fair size but with the HUB organization, we maintain that close intimacy of smaller groups in which we can feel “at home” with one another. That contact keeps us engaged and interested in each other and our artistic experiences.

Keep staying “Art Strong”!!

2025 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 11- May 24: Member Exhibition, Chaffee Art Center, Rutland. Reception April 26, 2-4

PM, VPS Midstate Hub sponsored

May 17-19: Corey Pitkin Workshop: Bennington Monument Arts & Cultural Center

Possible Summer Event: TBD

October 3-5: Liz Haywood-Sullivan Workshop: Bennington Monument Arts & Cultural Center

Fall Workshop: Jane McGraw-Teubner: TBD

Fall Juried Show: TBD: VPS:SE Hub sponsored, Vermont Artisan Designs, Brattleboro

VPS Board/ Member News

SPRING BOARD MEETING: April 14, 4-6 PM, Zoom

Our Board members are incredibly talented and competent in accomplishing their individual tasks and responsibilities. At present all offices on the Board are filled with the exception of VICE PRESIDENT! We really do need to have someone step up NOW for this position. In the fall we will also need a candidate for TREASURER. It is vital to VPS continuing as a well oiled entity. The Board meets twice a year along with one Annual Meeting currently held remotely (Zoom). Occasionally there is a quick email meeting to discuss any pressing issues.

The positions are not difficult or terribly time consuming. Responsibilities are definitively outlined with retiring Board members always ready to guide the next contingent. Our Bylaws contain descriptions of all Board positions and can be found under “About” on the VPS website. PLEASE consider tossing your name into the hat for at least VP at the earliest time. Having been VP I can attest it is an easy job with very light work. Now as President, my new work is also well organized and light and I have leaned on past officers who have helped and welcomed my questions. Terms are 2 years – a short period.

A few years ago, the Board began to fall apart until people stepped up to the rescue. We could be approaching the same scenario which could mean the demise of VPS as it is, into just individual geographic HUBS unconnected and unorganized. Please strongly consider adding your energy to the VPS Board!

SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

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.

HAPPY PAINTING!

Shirley Carlson

VPS President