Prez Sez, August 2019
Calendar Reminder!!
Hershey Area Art Association will meet at 7PM on September 10, 2019 at Lebanon Valley College, Susan H.
Arnold Art Gallery
“Tell your own story, and you will be interesting.” Artist Louise Bourgeois
My HAAA story -
In 2010 I went to my first meeting of the Hershey Area Art Association. Delighted that I found a local art group to support my desire to improve my painting skills. The meeting was held at the Hershey Library and attended by about 15 people. I was not impressed. There was no speaker, just a tired looking lady talking about finding a new location to meet and maybe hold a painting class. I did join the organization that night, thinking one meeting wasn’t a fair assessment. I attended the following month, had the same sad experience and decided this organization wasn’t for me.
Then in late 2013 a neighbor convinced me that HAAA had changed and I should see for myself. The meeting was held at the Historical Society, it was well attended and the President, Ev Schnader, was welcoming and professional. She announced activities and upcoming classes. There was an interesting artist presentation. Right then, I decided I wanted to be part of this group of friendly people committed to supporting all those who loved to create.
Immediately I signed up for classes. First with Paulette Flemmens, followed by John McNulty. I met so many other friendly artists, my neighbor was right, and HAAA became my “art” group.
Simultaneously, I started to attend HAAA art shows Viewing the art, I knew there was no way I was good enough to participate in these events. So I concentrated on improving and getting to know other HAAA “struggling” artists. Wondering if I would ever have the confidence to put my work out there for the others to see.
It wasn’t until the “Under the Colors” show in 2016 that I stuck my toe in the water. I had two pieces, marked not for sale because I had no idea how to price my beginner work. To my surprise, I
received some positive feedback, a few compliments, enough to make me feel maybe my work wasn’t so amateur after all. From then on I participated in several shows. I was, and still am, well aware that my work doesn’t reach the same level as so many of our artists, any maybe it never will. But that’s OK because it’s the process not the results.
I’m telling this story to remind new HAAA members, do not wait years to show your work as I did. Putting work in shows brings many rewards beyond selling a piece of art. It’s the shared joy of creating, the camaraderie of other artists and the bond developed with the art community. So please, if you’re new and haven’t yet placed your work in a show or if you’ve been around for awhile and hesitate to show your work - BE BRAVE - register for an event today.
Having said all that - the bull and matador paint-by-number you did when you were 14 years old is NOT acceptable!!
Kathleen
**SPECIAL SEPTEMBER MEETING 9/10/2019
**TOUR AND PRESENTATION AT LEBANON VALLEY COLLEGE - Our monthly member meetings begin in September. The first, on Tuesday, Sept.10th at 7PM will be held at the Susan H. Arnold Gallery and Zimmerman Hall at LVC. A gallery tour followed by a presentation by G. Daniel Massad, creator of the current exhibit - A Theatre of Things. Our host for the evening is Barbara McNulty, Asst. Professor of Art History and the Director of the Gallery. Google G.Daniel Massad to view his work at several art institutions and galleries.
Parking is available on Church St. and a municipal lot on White Oak. A brief business meeting will follow the presentation.
**GENERAL INFORMATION
**NEW MEMBER BREAKFAST - If you joined HAAA after October 2018, you’re invited to a breakfast social on Saturday August 17 at 9AM at the Cocoa Beanery. This is a fun way to get to know other members and the Board of Directors. We will need a head count, so please let me know if you would like to attend. Yes, it’s Dutch treat! Contact me at kgrim04@gmail.com.
**2020 HAAA ANNIVERSARY - Donations continue to come in to offset the printing cost of the HAAA Anniversary Calendar. This is a first ever initiative to promote member art work and raise funds for our scholarship and other association needs. Photo submissions are coming in via the website. If you haven’t registered and submitted your photo, please go to hersheyart.org and complete the process.
Don’t forget, members may have their name and a single preferred contact included in the calendar for a $5 donation. You may send a check with “Calendar” in the memo line to HAAA PO Box 654 Hershey PA 17033 or give your donation to a HAAA Board Member.
**UPCOMING EVENTS
**COCOA BEANERY We have two ongoing events at the Cocoa Beanery:
1. Restaurant Art Rotation- Three artists are signed up for the August 5 rotation, Gary
Gasowski, Jill Brinser and Beverly Barley. Contact kgrim04@gmail.com if your interested in displaying your work for the next rotation starting on October 7, 2019.
2. Second Thursday Art Show in the social room of Cocoa Beanery is booked for the August 8 exhibit - David Pringle, Gloria Michaliga, Marcia Leister. The last Second Thursday Art Show for the year will be September 12. Although that date is booked, you can contact Mary Lott about the 2020 schedule at haaa.treasurer2018@gmail.com.
**ALLEN THEATRE BACKSTAGE CAFE The display in the theatre restaurant area is already booked for August; Marilyn Ladieu is the featured artist. This venue has invited us to continue our monthly exhibits to the end of the year. Register on the website, hersheyart.org to participate in future rotations. For more details contact Mary Lott at haaa.treasurer2018@gmail.com.
**HERSHEY LIBRARY ROTATION. Register to exhibit your work in the Hallway Gallery for the next art rotation on Saturday, August 17 at 9:30AM. Registration and description under the EVENTS tab on the website, hersheyart.org. For more details contact Marie Gamon at gamfam1@verizon.net.
**BLOOMING ART AT THE HERSHEY CONSERVATORY SHOW AUGUST 24th and 25th - Exhibit and sell you work. Don’t miss this one! Register online at hersheyart.org for this annual show. For more details contact Lee Sandel at ruedelee@verizon.net.
**THE HERSHEY STORY MUSEUM EXHIBIT We’ve been invited for a second year! HAAA members can showcase and sell their art in the beautiful grand lobby of the Hershey Story Museum. Register online on hersheyart.org under the EVENTS tab. Registration deadline is August 30th. For details contact Nick Elsener at nick.elsener@gmail.com.
**UNDER THE COLORS OCTOBER 19th and 20th. Registration is available on hersheyart.org This is a major HAAA member show and takes place in the newly renovated “barnyard” at the Hershey Derry Township Historical Society. You do not want to miss this!
For details contact kgrim04@gmail.com or haaa.treasurer2018@gmail.com.
**Details to follow for:
**SECOND ANNUAL ANNVILLE CLEONA COMMUNITY ART SHOW NOVEMBER 2, 2019
**SPRING HILL SUITES HOLIDAY SHOW DECEMBER, 5th - 8th 2019.
**SUMMER CLASSES
Deb Watson - Two day watercolor workshop August 7 - August 8, 9AM to 3:30PM
Paul Gallo - Six week drawing class starting August 22 - September 26, 1 to 4PM
Marie Gamon - Water Media with Marie starts October 3 - December 5, 12:30 to 3:30 PM Register for classes at hersheyart.org.
Watch the website for the Fall schedule!
Class questions; contact Kathy Smeltzer at kcsmeltzer@gmail.com