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From
the Prez
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD to another very active year at KAGS. Here is the
good news and the bad news.
GOOD NEWS
The Heating system restored and improved and a new doorbell beside the red
door that will alert people inside if you have been locked out! A Greater
variety of shows. This year you will see a few more solo shows -- one or
two that are more experimental, one loaded with colour and one showing
great diversity. There should be the usual number of
all-member shows along with two photography exhibitions and a show that is
exclusively abstract art. Hopefully there will be something for everyone.
More members wanting to increase their experience (and satisfaction)
through assuming the duties of Convenor for one show. Slight reduction in
hanging fees for shows where the fee is charged per painting. Shows
publicized in a greater variety of places and publications. Our membership
and number of studio sessions at an all-time high
BAD NEWS (not much of this)
Barry Parsons, responsible for the very exciting “Best of High School Art”
shows, has announced this will be his last year as show organizer. A
couple of members are badly needed to jump in. This annual event which
helps our young people must continue.
In spite of higher membership numbers, not enough people willing to
gallery-sit during many of the shows. Even solo shows need our help. In
future, gallery-sitting may be mandatory for those wishing to enter works
in a show. Gerry O'Neill is the person who schedules the sitters. Not
enough instructors/ideas for workshops. Please contact Roberta
Rowland-Patterson or another member of the Executive with your ideas. Some
previously active members slowing down due to illness. If you are able –
please join us in studio sessions, at off-site exhibitions and at our own
show openings etc. And really folks, the Annual Meeting is not boring!
Hope to see you at the Kawartha Artists' Gallery and Studio in the months
to come.
Marilyn Simpson
Our Constitution
In 1991 a group of dedicated and far-sighted artists dreamed of a place
where artists could meet in a supportive environment to hone their skills,
share their knowledge and exhibit their work for public viewing. They
enshrined their ideals in a constitution, rented space from the City of
Peterborough –and Kawartha Artists' co-operative gallery was born.
Today, seventeen years later, we are enjoying the benefits of creating art
in a much-improved Gallery. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of many
volunteers, we now have better lighting, more display facilities, and
expanded library, archives, and kitchen facilities to host openings and
parties. We also have a KAGS website and our name appears regularly in the
media. Our membership has grown to 140, and KAGS can be proud that we are
a busy, vibrant artistic community. As directed by the original
constitution, we have an elected Executive and Annual General Meetings, so
that all members have a voice in the running of the Gallery. One of the
items brought to out attention at the General Meeting was the request for
a review of the Constitution.
A 5-person committee was set up to conduct the review, and submit a list
of amendments in writing at the next General Meeting. As head of the
review committee, I invite all members to read the copy of the
Constitution at the front desk, and to contact any of the people named
below with their comments or recommendations. (You may also request your
own copy of that document.) As it was originally set up, the Constitution
is fairly clear and straightforward. However, some areas
need clarification. Article 2 of the Constitution outlines the purpose of
the gallery. Over the years, our objectives have not changed. Our
advertisement in the Yellow Pages of the phone book states that we exhibit
“original works of local artists”. In Article 2:5 we read, “(The purpose
of the gallery shall be)... 5. to exhibit original works of art only.”
What exactly is original art? I have posted an article by Cathy Johnson
(The Artist's Magazine, November 1995) on the bulletin board near the
stairs that raises, and answers, some very interesting questions about
“original art”. The members of the Constitutional Review Committee would
welcome your input on this article, or on any subject related to the
constitution of the Gallery. This is YOUR Gallery, so let your voice be
heard in the Constitutional review. Please contact any committee member
listed below to give us your comments and/or suggestions.
Mary Harris (committee head)
Margaret Tough
Gail Hawkins
Gerry O'Neill
Julia Cameron
YOUR EXECUTIVE FOR 2008
President……………….Marilyn Simpson
Past President………...Barry Parsons
1st Vice-President……Mary Harris
2nd Vice-President…..Gerry O’Neill
Secretary………………..Lorraine Staples
Treasurer……………….Margaret Tough
Publicity………………..Elaine Sills
Publicity and Show Posters ...Julia Cameron
Gallery Programs:
Shows/workshops... Roberta Rowland-Patterson
Newsletter… Debara Power
Assistant … .Avril Koyanagi
Location Manager… Bob Lockie
Social… Lucy Lemieux Wilson
and Mary Lou Fasken
Web, email and pdf distribution of the newsletter to members … Gail
Hawkins KAGS
Membership…Jo-Anne Connell Northey
Gallery-sitter Scheduler …Gerry O’Neill
Office and Library……Sophia Kosak
Telephone…Elli Urquhart ...
Archivist**…Elaine Goselin
**NOTE—All archival information is available for members
to access from the filing cabinet, but members are asked not to remove
contents from the premises.
A WARM WELCOME TO THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS…
Cheryl Ellis, Gerard Maurice Emery, Arlene Frances, Rose Gordon, Ted
Laughlin, David Leigh, Lily Blin, Terry Carpenter, Anita Cerro, Sally
Chenowith, Robert L. Fitts, Charles Leung, Janette O’Neill, Evelyn Van
Hockelen, Victoria Wallace, Sally Yardley
F.Y.I
A decision was made by the executive to reduce hanging fees for members’
shows from the original fee of $10.00 for one or two pictures and $15.00
for three to a flat rate of $5.00 per picture. This is set for a trial
period of one year. This will be the last year that Gail Hawkins will hold
classes on Thursday evenings at the gallery. She is changing
gears and planning to paint more for a show coming up in the fall of 2009.
Gail thanks all who have supported her over the years….”the gallery is
certainly where my friends are.”
The website has been updated with more to come. Don’t forget the free
pages for members. We are linked around the city and area, as well as a
gallery in New York, and other Artists sites. There is now a door bell
installed at the gallery which will alert anyone in the studio if someone
is at the outside door. Parking in the lot outside the gallery is
not reserved for the exclusive use of KAGS’ members and gallery visitors.
Library staff are the ONLY people who have a right to park there. KAGS
will now have a listing in the Peterborough and Kawartha Travel Guide
2008. WHEN IS "BEING LABELED" A GOOD THING?
When it promotes your artwork and KAGS! Kags has an opportunity to have
personalized permanent name tags for members to wear on any occasion where
it is important to be 'Labeled", e.g. all show openings in our own
gallery, any venue where exhibiting either solo or as a group, and when
gallery sitting, Wearing an identity pin for your presentations at an Art
Exhibition adds to your professionalism, helps people identify you
and invites conversation about your work and your association with KAGS.
These are made of a solid plastic and can be attached by two sturdy
magnets or push pins with guards (for those who prefer them or cannot wear
magnets) and can be kept handy in your wallet, handbag or special place at
home.
You can also order personalized name plates to be used at shows where you
are displaying several artworks together. These would be approximately 2
1/2 " high & 10 " long, depending on the length of your name and can be
attached to a wall or grid
with either double-sided tape or magnetic strip. Both 'Labels' would have
the KAGS logo on them.
Jeff Allen, owner of a local Peterborough company, Custom Laser Creations,
has offered to make these for us and would only charge us $5.00 for the
name pin, and $10.00 for the name sign. If you would like to have other
special items custom made you can contact the company directly.
To get the best price (the cost may be reduced if we get a large bulk
order) you need to contact: Elaine Sills by April 30th.
KAGS
With the following information (and any questions)
Name tags ($5.00 or less): Name and # of tags
Name plates (($10.00 or less) Name and # of plates
Payment will be made on receipt of items.
Many thanks to Sophia Kosak for her arduous
work in compiling the library. The library is full of 400+ helpful books
and magazines that can provide useful instruction and/or valuable
inspiration to those who seek a little help. The process of borrowing a
book is very easy and straightforward, and we thought it would be a great
idea to outline the process for members who are unaware of this wonderful
resource.
Maximum allowed to borrow at one time - 1 book and 1 magazine, or 3
magazines. Borrowing time limit 3 weeks
Step 1—Print on Date Due Card found in back of book your name, phone #,
and due date. Place card in the box found on the
white shelf above little desk.
Step 2 — Print due date on the item you are borrowing.
Step 3 —Print in the RED BINDER, also on shelf, the current date, name of
book, your name and phone #, date due. When you
return the item record the date returned. If you have questions contact
KAGS
Below is a list of newsletter names that have
been collected, so
now it’s up to you to vote. Just leave your name choice in the mailbox
at the gallery, on a folded piece of paper with ATTN:
News crew, or email your choice to KAGS
The
name with the most votes will appear in our September 08 edition.
And the names are……...
Art Inside & Out, Art A lot, Art Awakenings, The R-Mode, Art Fusion, The
Third Pass ,Artopoly ,The Art Law Triptych ,The After Image The O’Connell
Kags Kreations 'Our Creative Side ,The Artisan, Kagsken ,The Pakagson
Artzy ,The Patterson Artists Speak
...an interview with Emil
Varga
As spring approaches, when many of us are awaiting the warmer temperatures
and the blossoming
of flora and fauna, what better time to get to know one of our own
accomplished members. One
cannot think of beautiful floral and landscape images without the name
Emil Varga coming to mind.
Emil and his lovely wife, Patricia welcomed us into their home on a cold
snowy day, but the taste of
spring was showcased in nearly every room of their home as Emil’s work was
proudly displayed.
Emil’s love of nature is evident, and his ability to connect the viewer to
the peacefulness and
serenity each piece possesses is amazing.
Emil is a very young 70 year old, and although born in Cornwall, grew up
in Peterborough. After
graduating from PCVS, he took a drafting apprenticeship at Canadian
General Electric, and later
moved into the engineer department. A career at GE and raising a family of
3 children kept his life
busy, and it was not until his retirement in 1997,that a paint brush found
a place in Emil’s hand full
time. As in his own words “it is never too late to start a creative
journey”. Although self taught,
Emil has studied under many notable artists at various workshops held at
Gallery on the Lake and
also at the Halliburton School of Fine Art. He recognizes Edwin Mathews,
Richard Hayman, David
Bierk, Brian Atyeo, Susan Gould, Al Poolman, Gord MacKenzie, and Ky-lii
McInnus as artists that
provided him mentorship, encouragement, inspiration, and the confidence to
pursue his passion.
A tour of Emil’s studio displayed a vast collection of books and magazines
which he devours cover to
cover, often more than once. Beginning with an intricate sketch, Emil
moves into watercolour and
sometimes mixed media to create each piece. He has developed his own
interpretative style
concentrating on the beauty of florals, the tranquility of evening
sunsets, and the visions of Ontario
landscapes. Emil states he tackles each piece as an “engineering project”,
working meticulously to
create a realistic image.
After winning many awards at The Buckhorn Fine Art Festival, exhibiting
his art work there was a
natural progression, and has garnered Emil much success. He has
participated for the past seven
years and has plans to exhibit there again in 2008. Other exhibit venues
Emil has taken part in are
Cobourg Waterfront Festival, Peterborough Rotary Art Show, Wesport, as
well as the Fenelon Falls
Show, and he currently has four paintings depicting various winter scenes
on display in the window
of The Art Shop in Lakefield. A landscape piece titled Burleigh Falls
Autumn has graced the cover of
“Curious” the Tourist Guide, as well as being reproduced in a Peterborough
city calendar. Emil has
been kind to donate some of his works to various charities, such as The
Arthritis Society, PBS—
Watertown, Peterborough Symphony Orchestra, ORCA, St. Joseph’s At Fleming,
Hutchinson House,
and The Festival of Trees where he also volunteers each year. Although
public speaking is not his
thing, Emil has agreed to give a presentation and demo to the Don Valley
Art Club which will take
place this spring.
Apparently our website has some viewers from far and away places. Emil has
had further inquiries from places such as Slovakia and Ireland. In between
painting, Emil loves being outdoors in his garden
and finds time once or twice a year to travel with Pat. They have recently
returned from a trip to Costa Rica and were enamored with the beautiful
sites, and we’re sure Emil gathered many sketches and photos— tools to use
to create more food for our souls.
Debara Power
(SOME EXCERPTS TAKEN FROM EMIL’S BIO)
MEMBERSHIP FEES:
.. Includes one page (4 images + bio.) on KAGS’ website. Contact our web
manager KAGS
.. Discount fees for KAGS’ workshops/classes
.. Enables paid members to enter all show exhibits at KAGS (excluding
private shows).
.. Membership runs from Jan.— Dec. 2008.
.. If you would like to be contacted via email rather than phone message
regarding upcoming KAGS’ events, please include your current email
address.
SPECIAL REQUEST……………Receiving the newsletter via
email would not only help save on mail and paper costs, but it will also
allow members to see the newsletter in full colour. Picking up your
individually addressed, black and white copy of the newsletter at KAGS,
will also help cut costs. Let the news crew know if you would be willing
to help out in this manner. KAGS
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