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MEMBERS' NEWSLETTER: November 2003 Thoughts from the high chair The AGM was held in early October and I judged that I had completed the first year of my term as Chairman. I can say that I have enjoyed the challenge of the task while keeping the frustrations under control for the majority of the time! Any organisation that finds itself with a new Chairman and a new Secretary has something of a learning curve to overcome and ours was no different. The committee's experiences have, to say the least, taught us to recognise how much work the previous officers undertook 'behind the scenes'. At the moment I believe that the organisation is coming to terms with the difficult environment that confronts artists. One change that we have introduced is the move to have the AGM on the 6th of May instead of the beginning of October. This decision needed a change in the constitution and this was approved at the recent meeting. In the New Year we will also increase the number of programmed committee meetings to six: 15th January Membership and Event Review. 15th January Membership and Event Review. 18th March Spring Exhibition 20th May Finances 15th July Summer Exhibition 16th September Autumn Review 18th November 2005 Programme and Christmas Dinner In the Society we have, among our members a wealth of knowledge and experience, and I would like to take this opportunity to invite members to the committee meetings particularly where they feel they could make a positive contribution to our discussions. They take place in the Assembly Rooms, starting at 7.00 p.m. I would like to thank Robert Wallis, who has resigned from the committee, for his work during the past year and I am both sorry and pleased that his own artistic achievements are making greater demands on his time. Bob Kirk has volunteered to take on the role of Publicity Officer and I hope that we will enjoy a greater level of 'advertising' with the creation of this new post. Many members consider the two annual exhibitions we run as the main attraction of the LAS. They give members the opportunity to show their work and hopefully sales are generated. In 2003 we greatly missed Richard Kite as the Exhibition Secretary, who unfortunately resigned through poor health. The committee members were forced to take on extra roles to enable the functions to take place. While we made a few mistakes I believe the events should be judged a success, but unfortunately in both cases we suffered from lack of sales. Members have said that sales should not be the main criteria but it's hard to see this point of view if the ever-increasing expenditure exceeds the income. We have, of course learnt a great deal and I am pleased that Diane Barton has offered to be the Exhibition Co-ordinator in 2004. We have a number of new ideas of how we can make the future exhibitions more professional and hopefully of how we can increase the sales. While the costs for running exhibitions continue to expand we need to make every effort to ensure that these events can give us a little profit to add to the coffers. The programme of presentations, workshops and demonstrations has been a cornerstone of the LAS activities. Listed below are the dates for the Social Evenings that are organised by Craig Young and I can confidently say that next years programme promises to have some great attractions. Please note these dates in your diaries,
On the question of membership please remember that subscriptions are due on the 1st of January 2004, and a renewal form is enclosed. Please send a cheque/p.o. payable to 'Ludlow Art Society' to
Just a quick comment to finish please support the newsletter by submitting articles whenever possible. We are trying to maintain regular member contact with this publication and in 2004 we plan to have six editions. The deadlines for articles are at the end of December 2003 and in 2004 at the end of February, April, June, August, and October. Can I take this opportunity of sending you an early Christmas greeting and look forward to meeting you in the New Year. Graham Butler, Chairman Here's a thought A little idea to stimulate the creative impulse from Leonardo no less:
Leonardo da Vinci, Treatise on Painting If you have any news or views, or exhibitions/workshops that you would like to be included please contact Chris Butler for the next edition by 31st December please. Telephone: 01952 541687, email cg.butler@tiscali.co.uk |