VWS new Year's news 2007

Happy New Year Everyone!

I hope you’ve all been having an enjoyable holiday. VWS is looking forward to an exciting year with renewed energy and a great team working behind the scenes. Our new Vice President, Jan Olmstead, is cooking up a survey that you will all benefit from, to discover who we really are and what it is we want from this organization. Our star Exhibition committee has us scheduled for shows into 2008 and running. Everett Webber, our diligent Treasurer, is busy taking in your dues and processing new members.

Speaking of dues…thanks to those of you who have paid up promptly for this new year. And…for those of you who might have forgotten momentarily- please get those checks in by the end of January or, preferably, sooner. Send a check for $35.00 made out to “Vermont Watercolor Society” to

Everett Webber
5 Longwood Lane
West Lebanon, N.H. 03784

We haven’t cooked up a “late fee”…yet. But if we don’t get those funds in the beginning of the year, we will be in trouble when it comes to paying for gallery expenses such as printing post cards, printing a new brochure, etc. All these things need to be done months in advance of a show or event.

NEW MEMBERS:

Please extend a warm welcome to:

Jane Harissis from Stowe, Vt.
Linda Kiniry from Barre Vt.
Diane Miller-Liggett from Cornish, N.H. (our first recruit from out-of-state!)

(Note- some of our current members already have N.H. addresses because they’ve moved from Vermont and are grandfathered into the Society, or have studios in Vermont).

FOLLOW-UP on the annual meeting meal at Three Stallion Inn:

In my last newsletter I requested feedback on the meal served at the Three Stallion Inn, as there were definitely some complaints. I wrote to the Inn with examples of the kind of dissatisfaction that was expressed from the membership. The Inn sent a very nice letter with the following quote from the General manager, Barbara George:

“I have spoken with the members of the Waitstaff (that worked on your event) as well as Executive Chef Bob Hildebrand and Event Coordinator Barbara Hall. We all agree that there is no excuse for the lack of quality of service and food presentation that you experienced.

Please except (accept, I think she means) our heartfelt apologies and a discount on the days events. We hope that you decide to come our way yet again and that your new experience is more than desirable.”

We received about $200.00 off our bill. That doesn’t amount to much per person, but it was a nice gesture. We will put that money to good use for the Society. If we sent everyone their approx. $2.00 we would lose more money in time and postage than we gained from the refund, but if anyone feels strongly that they would like their refund portion, please send our Treasurer Everett Webber (see above) a letter and he will send you a check. Whether we ever go back to the Inn is another question- the location was very attractive for most members, but the room we were in was very crowded. We would need a bigger space there or somewhere else. We have met at the Cortina Inn in Rutland for many of our events and they have always been very acommodating, but perhaps we can find another more centrally located spot for our Spring meeting. Several people have suggested having a pot-luck meal….we welcome your input on the subject.

SHOWS for 2007

Our first show of the year will be a juried show at the Green Mountain Gallery in Stowe, Vt. From April 20 to May 20, with an opening reception on Sunday, April 22 from 3-6 PM. Dust off those brushes- you will be getting a call for entries and a call for postcard images in February or sooner.

Our second show of the year will be at the Miller Gallery in Springfield, Vermont. This will be a very special OPEN SHOW in June. The Miller Gallery is part of the Springfield Art and Historical Society. They have plenty of space for us. More details to follow. Many thanks (once again) to Rob O’Brien for not only arranging this show, but negotiating for an open show- something we have long wanted to do, but very few galleries have room to accommodate our ever-growing Society.

Also in the line-up for this year will be a repeat show at the Reed Gallery in the fall and a repeat show at Southern Vermont Arts Center in December. Many other possible venues are being discussed for 2007 and 2008 including a possible show at the Vermont Arts Festival in August, in the Mad River Valley, but this not quite confirmed yet, so hang on to your hats!

On that note, I wish you all a very productive and painterly New Year.

Cindy Crawford
VWS President 2007