PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Mark Nielsen

VWS Members Gather To Do What Needs To Done!

Thank you to all 45 VWS members who journeyed forth to Middlebury Inn from places far flung to care take our organization.  I am talking about the annual meeting of course.   Here is a brief reporting of the business we conducted.

We passed the 2015 budget showing $26,155 of income and $26,155 of expenses with a unanimous vote.   We are projecting 2014 to end with a negative balance of about $4,000.  This can be roughly explained with the vote in March to create the VWS Education Fund from our reserves and to spend $3000 that had not been budgeted.  The remaining $1,000 relates to the decision to send the second bus to the MFA in January even though it was not full.  The 2015 Hub budget breakdown is:

• Brattleboro                                         $440
• Burlington/St. Albans                        $900
• Manchester/ Bennington                    $430
• Middlebury/Rutland                          $520
• Montpelier/Stow                                $520
• Newport/St. Johnsbury                     $400
• New Hampshire                                $480
• White River Junction                         $600
•  

We unanimously elected the slate of candidates for open positions on the board for 2015 after a brief review of their qualifications.  They are:

• Diane Bell - Secretary
• Carton Annis, CPA - Treasurer
• Charles Norris-Brown - Co-Director of Exhibitions
• Martin LaLonde - Director of Programs
• Kate Jackson and Lynn Pratt - Co-Directors of Communications
• Adrienne Fisher and Adrienne Fisk - Co-Directors of Volunteers

We thanked outgoing directors; Amanda Amend, Claudia Carl, Reggie Springer, Sarah Rosedahl, and Loretta Weitzel.

We recognized all our volunteers and recognized Don Dalton and Lynn Pratt as our Co-Volunteers of 2014.

Signatory Membership Certificates were given to Don Dalton, Sarah Rosedahl, Lynn Cummings, and Pam Dexter.

Amanda Amend honored the memory of Larry Coffin, VWS.

I reported on Policy changes and the New VWS Education Fund, including the creation of our new Development Committee tasked to raise funds for the VWS.  The committee is Co-Chaired by Jan Olmstead and Perry Williamson.

Pam Dexter reported on the many and varied Hub Activities including a slide show of photos of some of these activities.  She also reported that we were now coming into our second generation of Hub Point people.  The changes are:

• Brattleboro;  Lynn Hoeft has been replaced by Nancy Dimauro, nedimauro@myfairpoint.net and Molly Martin, molar56@sover.net .
• Burlington/StAlbans ; Lynn Cummings will step down at end of year.  No replacement as yet.
• Montpelier/Stow; Terry Hodgdon, tlhodgdon@comcst.net  is now the Point Person, Lisa Beech, stowebeach@aol.com  will serves as the Assistant Point Person.

Robert O'Brien reported on the upcoming shows for 2015 and 2016 with known dates.

Ann Pember provided the very educational demonstration for the afternoon.

Claudia Carl wrapped up the meeting with the raffle which raised $200 for new teaching DVDs for the VWS library.  I did not win anything, again!  Next year. 

Thanks everyone for all that you have done for our organization.

In gratitude,

Mark Nielsen, VWS President

Framing & Matting Guidelines for All Shows*

Mats:   sole or top mats will be white or off white.  If a bottom mat is used, it may be white, off white or colored.  Filets may be used. Mats are not required for all paintings, but if you are not framing your painting, archival spacers must be used.

Frames:  frames must be sturdy, in excellent condition, and must be professional quality.  They must have picture wire attached to the back from which to hang the painting.

The following are not acceptable for VWS shows:

• Float frames
• Table top frames
• Damaged frames or frames that are disjointed at the corners
• Saw tooth hangers
• Duct tape, masking tape or other non-professional-looking materials used on backs of frames.
• Sloppy construction as seen from front or back

Persons accepting paintings at drop off are instructed to not accept paintings if they do not meet these guidelines.  Thank you for your cooperation. 

 *Occasionally there are special shows where other guidelines apply, which will be described in that show's prospectus and/or other communications.  Otherwise, the above guidelines will apply to all VWS shows including hub shows.

This information can also be found on the VWS website: