Alberta Artists Association

Meeting 7/28/2005-

Display potential:

1. Chapters (book store)-
9631 Macleod Trail SW-
Contact- Manager- Nicole Benson or assistant Manager- Lori Jasper
Phone- 212-1442
Approximately 7 feet wall space, 200+ feet of floor space in front of the music section/fireplace/coffee shop
Available after the 16th of July
Free with 10% commission on sales

2. Classics Plus -Classical CD (CD-music store)
1134 8 Ave SW
Phone- 290-1182
Contact- Owner-Roa
Approximately 70 feet of wall space, possibly 300 feet of floor space, a separate room next to the CD sales area, free with commission on sales

3. Books- (used book store)
21 Ave and 4th St SW
Phone- 228-5256
Contact- Owners- Dave & Sandi Philpot
Approximately 124 feet of floor space, less wall space, free with commission on sales

Each venue wants a combination of music, poetry and art displayed changing weekly and with art every 2-3 weeks.

Needed:

-construction of display easels- one per artist- approximately $25.00
- finalize design for advertising
-print name tags for each painting displayed

Title:______________
Artist:______________
Media:_______________
Size:_______________
Price:_____________

-print artists statements- picture, statement
-print information about Alberta Artists Association (brochure)
-decide on any advertisement of the openings, food, etc.
The agenda is to:
make final arrangements for display
tie up these loose ends listed above
take stock on all work to be displayed
increase communications between artists
set tasks for individuals and small groups
contacts:
music, poetry- Mark Hopkins, Jude Dillion, Dianne Osberg-poetry
set up display-Friday
purchase tamper proof display materials-yes
food?-non
banner- AAA logo
Security hangers- those that tried them-worked well
Easels-suggest color change
Promotional materials-artists’ cards, bios, business cards
Chinook promotional materials- cards as well as brochures
Music/poetry
Communication-e-mail, telephone and fax
Next meeting
Setting up time-2.5 hours
Opening night- Friday 4-6pm
New concerns

Alberta Artists Association
Board Meeting – January 7, 2006
Minutes

Attendees: Sabrina Yung, President
Sharon Hutton, Vice President
Barbara Giles, Exhibition Chair
Rob Wittebrood, Treasurer
Jake Mah, Co-Treasurer
Nora Stewart, Secretary
Absent: Dan Lada, Past President

Meeting Facilitator: Sabrina Yung

1. Future Displays

Discussion: Most of the art work that we have produced has been included in the last three display locations. We do not have very much new work and most pieces are large. There are a limited number of small pieces which is a concern to the owner at Books on Forth. Preparing for a Christmas show seemed a reasonable approach.
Various display locations were discussed.

Devonian – Preference is given to organizations that pay for the space. However, should there be no paying clients, we would be able to display. We must wait for this opportunity to present itself.

Kerby Centre – Displays art work for individual artists from Friday to Sunday. The artist is expected to be there to answer questions. Jake has more information should someone wish to pursue this option.

Indigo at Signal Hill – This was considered a high traffic area but there were concerns with the set up.

Chapters – We agreed that it was a great success and the store was pleased with our display. Perhaps there are other Chapters stores that would like a display.

Summer Fest - We have been invited to display in conjunction with Summer Fest. It takes place in and around Olympic Plaza. The exact location was not known.

Mothers Day display – This would capture a gift giving holiday but people were concerned with short 1-2 day displays because of the work involved in the set up and take down.

Display Cases at the Theatres for the Performing Arts – We know that they display art but we do not know if there is a cost
Conclusions:
a) We would plan for new displays in the fall to capture next years Christmas season and provide us time to create new work.
b) If a space becomes available at the Devonian gardens we will consider it then.
c) Barb will approach Chapters for a 4 to 5 week display in October/November.
d) Barb will try and locate a second location in a different part of the city for a 4 to 5 week display immediately following Chapters.
e) We would delay any decision on Summer Fest until we had more information.

2. Content of work for display or sale
Discussion: Sabrina expressed a concern for copyright infringement when we copy painting of other artists and was wondering whether we should exclude these types of paintings. Jake indicated that a change in the medium, or a 25% change in the content was sufficient to eliminate the copyright problem. Nora questioned consequences of copyright infringement.

Conclusion:
a) Sharon is going to approach Lauren to get advice on the copying of other artists work.
b) All paintings either displayed or sold under the banner of the AAA are subject to the approval of the Board.

3. Financial Report

Discussion: We have $128.17 plus some miscellaneous funds in an envelope. The finances of the organization are not very complex and we don’t expect to have a great deal of cash on hand. Money is collected as required when an event is planned. There was a concern expressed with the allocation of responsibilities with two people running the finances.

Conclusion:
a) Jake will provide a statement of the funds to Dec. 31, 2005. and prepare and issue receipts for the membership fees.
b) Rob will set of the accounts on the computer.
c) We would not get a bank account at this time.
d) Rob and Jake would co-ordinate the financial management among themselves.

4. Tool Box

Discussion: Tools and supplies are required for the setup of art displays and this must be financed.

Conclusion:
a) Barb will post a list of the items that are required for a display tool box and the membership will be invited to donate items.
b) If it is necessary to buy some materials for a display, those that are displaying will share the cost.

5. Membership List

Discussion: We do not have a complete membership list and there is some confusion over who are members. It was suggested that the addition of associate membership would provide an opportunity for people in the art class to phase into full membership.

Conclusion:
a) Nora will speak with Dan and clarify who is a current member of AAA.
b) Nora will prepare a membership list complete with name, address, phone number(s) and e-mail address
c) We will offer Associate Memberships for a fee of $5.00.

6. Display/Display at Books on Fourth

Discussion: Barb presented a report on the contract that was signed between BOF and the AAA, a copy of which was provided for the Minute Book. The contract includes a 20% commission payable to BOF on any commissioned work resulting from the BOF display. Barb provided a draft of a sample contract agreement that identifies all of the issues that have to be addressed with each display. Barb also provided and inventory list of works on display at BOF and expressed her concern with the time required to compile the list. The question of security was raised and we discussed the various methods available to secure the painting on display. We reviewed various dates for ‘Meet the Artist’ at BOF.

Conclusion:
a) Contracts will have to be specific to the display location.
b) In the future, each artist will be required to provide an inventory of their paintings on display to include: Artists name; Title of Work; Price; Description of Work
c) Each artist will be responsible for securing their paintings to the easel or wall in an attractive manner.
d) Meet the Artists was scheduled for Friday January 27, 2005 from 5:00 to 7:00. Tea, Coffee and Cookies will be served.

7. Membership Committee

Discussion: There was a general discussion regarding who should be eligible for membership. Rob indicated that a simple process which involved the review of 1 or 2 pieces of work would suffice. The question of membership for those outside of the art class was raised.

Conclusion:
a) The determination of specific details regarding membership criteria was deferred to another day when there is more time for discussion.
b) Rob will endeavour to get two members of the AAA, who are not Board members, to sit on the membership committee.

8. Stationary

Discussion: Sharon provided new letterhead complete with envelopes and some of the business cards. Sharon also brought the thank you letter for Classic CD for Sabrina to sign. Dan had suggested an AAA Introduction Card to leave as a reference at potential venues.

Conclusion:
a) Sharon will prepare business cards for all Board members.
b) Sharon will prepare some more letterhead for Barb.
c) Sharon will prepare samples of Introduction cards.
d) Nora will mail the thank you letter to Classic CD.

9. Art Cards

Discussion: Rather than provide the Artist Statement as a give away item at the art display it was suggested that we make art cards for sale. Sharon had one example. They could be sold on consignment at the display locations. The preparation of art cards requires a high resolution digital picture. They can be printed on quality paper in various forms.

Conclusion:
a) We believe this is a good idea and will prepare to fall displays.
b) Sharon agreed to make more samples.

Next Board Meeting: January 21, 2005
Chinook College
12:15 to 1:15pm

Alberta Artists Association
General Meeting – March 4th, 2006

1. Exhibition Chair

Barbara Giles has resigned from the position of Exhibition Chair.
For the balance of the year the responsibilities with respect to exhibits will be shared among the membership on a voluntary basis. Each event will be managed on an individual project basis.

2. Card Making Day

The Card Making Day is scheduled for Saturday March 18, 2006.
If you are interested in making a card please send a short Artist Statement and a photo of your painting to Sharon Hutton as soon as possible.
As this is our first trial with selling cards we are limiting production to one card per person.
Sharon will be buying the paper for making the cards.
Unless we can find a reasonably inexpensive option for packaging, the cards will not be individually packaged. Individual slip covers are $0.25 each from Ried’s.
The cost of making the cards will be $1.50 each. We will be making a set of 20 cards so the total cost per set will be $30.00. Of this total amount; $25.00 will be reimbursed to Sharon Hutton for materials and $5.00 will be retained by the AAA to cover miscellaneous expenses.
We have yet to decide the selling price for the cards.

3. Art Display at Devo Art and Music Festival

The show is scheduled for Sunday April 9th, 2006.
Thus far we have 11 artists signed up and committed to the display. Sabrina has a sign up sheet so please consider joining us for a day at the Devonian Gardens. There will be art and music through out the whole day. It is sure to be fun.

We will use existing easels.
Dan Lada will prepare and send out the news release and advertising
Sharon Hutton will co-ordinate the invitation with Dave and Dan
We will use our exiting card stand unless something better shows up.
Tables will be available at the Devonian Gardens
Dan will discuss the issue of food and coffee with Dave.
If we are to supply coffee, Laurie volunteered to bring coffee cups and Sabrina will bring the coffee and coffee pot.
Nora agreed to get a cash box and float.
We agreed to be there at 8:00 am but I see from a recent e-mail that Setup time is from 9am until noon. Public viewing is from Noon to 6pm.

4. Next Meeting before Display

To be announced.