Prez Sez, January 2019

Hershey Area Art Association Masterpiece Night

January 8, 2019 at 7PM
Bring a sample of your finest work and be ready to present it to our members. Hanging art and 3D items.

The Board of Directors will present the annual report and offer nominations for new board members followed by the general election.

Greetings to the New Year - As Anne of Green Gables said, “Well, tomorrow’s a new day with no mistakes in it yet.”

Important information:

**Thanks to Lee Sandel, our Membership Chair, who politely accepts my frequent requests for an updated membership list. She just informed me that we have reached 150 members as of December 31, 2018! Welcome to our new members!

**The Holiday Party was great fun. Thank you to all those that attended and shared a wonderful feast. Wow! In addition to fine artists, we have some great cooks. Thanks to Cathy Griffith for organizing the event. The 57 people who attended provided 85 pounds of food to the Hershey Food Pantry! Also, if we ever play Pictionary again, the clues will move to the “professional level”.

**Just a reminder that the annual dues increase to $25 and the sales commission rate becomes 20% as of January 1, 2019. Read the details at hesheyart.org and attend the January meeting to learn more.

**The January meeting is not only Masterpiece Night, but also the presentation of the 2018 annual report of the Association to the membership and voting for new board members. The Annual Report details our accomplishments, financial status and future goals.

**Michele the Painter, Art for Animal Rescue is scheduled to present at the February 12, 2019 meeting. Check out her amazing animal art on her facebook page - Note, her name is one ‘L’ not two.

*Check out the 2019 HAAA classes on our website.

**We continue our search for volunteers to assist us to carry out the mission of HAAA. Please consider one of the following openings:

- Program Committee - Locate speakers for general meetings
- Public Relations Committee - Handle advertising classes and events
- Reporter At Large (willing to attend shows and events and take photos) - Assist with planning for HAAA 25th anniversary celebration

**One suggestion was received to improve the clarity of a specific section of the recommended bylaws. After review of the second paragraph of Section 1, Article III Members and Dues, the board agreed to the following revision: Membership does not guarantee acceptance of fine art or visual art to exhibit and/or sell at HAAA sponsored events. All members must adhere to HAAA’s General Guidelines and Policies. The Board of Directors and the Show Chair may determine whether or not a member’s work meets the standards detailed in the Guidelines and Policies.

**Watch the website for new venue opportunities such as the Back Stage Cafe in Allen Theatre also begin preparing for the Spring member show at the Hershey Library. The theme this year is Sunday/Sun Day/Sundae. Keep checking the website under the headings Classes and Events for the current and upcoming activities.

**Check it out - hersheyart.org
A New Year - “The beginning is the most important part of any work” Plato

Kathleen Grim, Acting President

Hershey Area Art Association