In the News
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From the President
Dear Friends and Fellow Artists,
The holidays are over and it’s now time to bring in the New Year. Winter is here along with the cold, raw weather. Snow and ice abound so everyone must be diligent with their footing in this slippery, dangerous white stuff. On the other hand, snow can be a beautiful subject to paint. So just don’t shovel it! Look for the warm and cool color it reflects. You’ll be surprised at the beauty.
Once again the Holiday Fair was successful. Hats off to Mickie Rice and her jolly volunteers. This show is a large project and without our dedicated volunteers it could not happen. Please plan on volunteering this coming year and join a wonderful group of people.
There are plenty of events in the planning stages for the upcoming year. Our first demonstration will be on Feb. 12th at the John Elias Glass Studio in Westport, where John will demonstrate his hand blown glass techniques. His specialty is unique color combinations. Don’t miss this demonstration. It is sure to please.
In April we will have our first juried art exhibit of the year. The theme of the show will be H2O. Anyone interested in being the show chairperson please contact any member of the board of directors. The board will give this person all the support they need to be successful. We need members to come forward and support us in these important activities.
Paul Vien
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Holiday Fair Wrap Up
Wow! What a great feeling to stand back and take a look at the gallery just as the Holiday Fair opened. Fabulous Wall of Art! Colorful and appealing craft tables. A table full of Raffle items, Fabulous Food items, and great Silent Auction paintings and items. From there on it was just manage the flow of visitors and that was non-stop. Thank you, thank you to all the volunteers on the set-up, hanging, sales and food committees. (Creative and colorful baked goods!!) June Roche took on the Raffle table and gave it her flair. Paul Vien and Nancy Burkholder brought wonderful items to the Silent Auction. And our talented membership produced the high quality art work at a reasonable price that made our show such a success.
We sold 12 framed works and 13 pieces from the bin. Meredith Cornell donated the sale of her painting as well as the sale of the Holiday swags. Dora Atwater Millikin also donated a painting.
Warm regards and many thanks for all the help!!
Mickie Rice, Holiday Fair Chair
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In Memoriam:
Jackie RileyWAG member Jackie Riley fought a long, very courageous battle with cancer which has now led to her passing. Those of you who know Jackie will remember her for her wonderful ability to laugh and smile as well as her amazing talent as a wonderful artist. Her paintings in whatever medium she chose that day were as colorful and special as her presence in the room. She, truly, will be deeply missed.
—Trish Hurley
So sad to hear about the loss of Jackie. She was an amazing artist. Last year I asked her to sit with me at lunch (the intermittently operating Ellie’s). I’m so glad I had that opportunity. She was an amazing person. She was one of several children. Her mother died of cancer when Jackie was a young child. She was raised in an orphanage—for which she was still very appreciative. Then at 18 years old she was on her own, while helping with her younger siblings. I think she said she worked in an art related field but I forget what. Her creativity and tenacity were truly of epic proportions. Not only will I miss her. I will continue to admire her for her work, courage and amazing ability to live a positive life—in spite of all the lemons life threw her.
—Maureen Fleming
I too was very sad to hear about Jackie’s passing. I thank Maureen Fleming for the amazing backstory of Jackie! I respect and admire Jackie even more! I always admired her courage, optimism and her persistence in wanting to be with friends through illness and her ability to laugh in spite of all life presented her. I loved that sharp sense of humor…her tell it like it is philosophy along with her beautiful paintings! She will be missed!
—Maureen Young