2/4/09 Board of Directors Meeting Plainfield Art League

The Board of Directors meeting was attended by Mike Bessler, Cheryl Carman, Joe Hadamik, Sheryl Jones, Chairman, Tina Storey, Treasurer, and Christine Kohn, Secretary.

COMING EVENTS were discussed and information updated or confirmed for the following:

Artist's Swap Event  Christine Kohn will organize and draft a communication piece to be circulated to members for a date to be determined.  The swap will be for members only, and will include only art related items (art supplies and materials, books, videos, frames etc.).

Art drop-off for the AFA High School Senior's scholarship competition will be Feb 19 from 1pm to 9pm. Entry forms have been circulated. So far, only response has been from PNHS.   

Gerardo Valerio Workshop The workshop has been rescheduled for March 28th and 29th.  The fee for the two day workshop with be $250.  The workshop will be added to the Class Schedule on the PAL website.  Press releases have been handled.

Feb 21 - "RU in the Know" Workshop hosted by the AFA; group discount available.  Registration encouraged.  Sponsorships still available with opportunity to promote artist specific businesses.

Fundraising activities and community events were discussed to determine whether to participate:  including St. Patrick's Day Parade (March 8);   Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (March 28); Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce Business Expo (March 7); Eggstraordinary window painting (April 4 paint date for April 11 event); Springfest  (May 15, 16,17) and Plainfield Fest (July 17, 18, 19). 

It was decided that PAL would not participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade, nor either of the business expos, based on costs and little potential benefit to PAL.   Preliminary plans were made to participate in Eggstraordinary window painting, Springfest and Plainfield Fest. 

Eggstraordinary window painting will be managed by Sheryl Jones.  The "Adventures in Art" class will not meet on paint day (April 4), although the students will be encouraged to participate in painting windows.  The art class will meet the following Saturday (April 11) during the Eggstraordinary event. 

Springfest  (May 15, 16, 17) 

Registration fee for NFP's is $25; to participate NFP's  may hand out literature, but must host one game or event that can also be a fundraiser.  Face painting was suggested as a possible activity (Christine Kohn to price face paints.)  Sheryl and Tina will survey contacts for appropriate price to charge.  Volunteers will be needed for Friday, 5/15 in the gallery for student AP show opening (1), and for Saturday and Sunday (4 to face paint and 1 for  gallery).

Note: Student AP show will be running concurrently in the Gallery.  Installation will be May 14. Opening for students and parents will be May 15. Cupcakes and coffee to be served. 

Plainfield Fest (July 17, 18, 19) 

Registration fee and NFP participation rules same deal as Springfest.  Face painting may again be the activity if successful at Springfest. Other suggested activities were tatoos (Oriental Trading Company a possible source), henna art, making coffee filter butterflies. 

Art Show at Mayslake Peabody Estate (Oak Brook) (July 25, 26)

Each Art League will be allowed to set up one booth free of charge. A brief discussion of the possible uses of such a booth included having members' work on display (with exhibiting members present); exhibit Best of the Best selections; permit members to exhibit for a fee payable to PAL.  To proceed we need volunteers to manage this as a project. 
 

UPDATES ON PRIOR MATTERS  

Funding:  the Village of Plainfield is working on its budget now; an update on the Village's plan for continued funding of non-profit organizations is expected after the Village's budget meeting on 2/5/09. 

Sponsor's Email: a draft proposal for ads to appear in PAL's newsletter was presented by Joe Hadamik.  The PAL Newsletter will include a Sponsor's Page which will raise funds by charging fees for ads to appear for one year in a bi-monthly or possibly monthly newsletter.  After discussion, the following price structure was decided for an annual fee:  full page $1000;

1/2 page ad $500; 1/4 page ad $250; 1/8 page ad $100.   
 

Status with instructors' W-9's and issuance of 1099's:  The Board unanimously approved the following resolution: 

RESOLVED, that all instructors of classes or workshops conducted on behalf of Plainfield Art League must submit a complete and signed W-9 (or W-8 for foreign instructors) before a class will be scheduled beginning January 2009. 
 

Exhibit Art Not Picked Up: following review of prior discussions on the problem of artists not picking up exhibited art work on the pickup date or within a reasonable time afterwards, the Board unanimously approved the following resolution: 

RESOLVED, that the following policy is adopted and shall be noted on all exhibit forms: "Artwork that is not picked up within10 days of the designated pickup date will become the property of Plainfield Art League and may be disposed of at PAL's discretion." 

 

NEW BUSINESS 

Individual Member Exhibits:  The possibility of individual members exhibiting and selling their work was discussed.  Two areas in the gallery could be made available at a relatively small cost. Schedules, fees to be charged, and the responsibilities of the artist and PAL were suggested.  Tina Storey and Christine Kohn will begin drafting forms for these exhibits which we may be ready to begin March or April, 2009.  Although handling exhibit times will be first come first served, the first schedule will be determined by some fair method like drawing names and months from a hat.  

Open House for Exhibits:  A member brought up the idea of holding an Open House for the opening a each new exhibit.  Members could come and bring guests to show off their artwork.  Plainfield TVcould be invited.  New volunteers to manage this would be needed.   
 

OTHER BUSINESS 

Prices for Artwork:  Although PAL does not sell artwork, artists will be contacted on request of an interested buyer.  Beginning with the March exhibit, space to enter the price of each piece will be provided on the exhibit entry form, on the card identifying the work in the exhibit, and on the exhibit log.   

Expanding Exhibit Area:  The price of purchasing moulding to increase the wall exhibit space was discussed and tabled pending outcome of Village's budgeting decisions.   

Cleaning and Organizing Studio: Volunteers will be recruited to clean and organize. 

Lighting: An electrician provided by the landlord will be working on removing the fans and installing new fixtures to improve the overhead lighting. 
 

Submitted by: 

Christine Kohn, Secretary

February 9, 2009

December 10 - Demonstration by Gerardo Valerio

Mr. Valerio's Artist Profile

 

Getting an early start at only 9 years old, Gerardo won an art contest in his school with his painting of a past Costa Rican President.  He developed an early interest in the rich flora and fauna of his rainforest homeland.  Having an eminent biologist grandfather helped Gerardo gain intimate knowledge of the many species of plants and animals in his country, Costa Rica, and the world at large.  The artist completed his University degree with studies concentrating in painting, drawing and sculpture skills.  As years progressed,  he perfected these skills in what is known as the hyper-realistic shcool of painting.

 

What is hyperrealism - from Louis K. Meisel, published in New York in 1980 - from Photorealsim

The hyperrealist style focuses much more of its emphasis on details and the subjects.  Hyperreal paintings and sculptures are not strict interpretations of photographs, nor are they literal illustrations of a particular scene or subject.  Instead, they utilize additional, often subtle, pictorial elements to create the illusion of a reality which in fact either does not exist or cannot be seen by the human eye.  Furthermore, they may incorporate emotional, social, cultural and political thematic elements as an extension of the painted visual illusion; a distinct departure from the older and considerably more literal school of Photorealism

 

With his expertise in both physiology and representation of light, Gerardo has become known as a modern pioneer in this style, bringing him acclaim both in his country and in the greater American hemisphere.

 

Gerardo's paintings permanently hang in the Presidential Palace, museums and public buildings of Costa Rica.  He won the First Latin American Duck Stamp Competiton, with the commemorative  issued in  1992.  He was chosen to represent his homeland at the Ibero-American Embassy Art Exhibition at the State Street Gallery of Robert Morris College last fall in Chicago.  He has had several one man art shows in Northern Illinois in the past year. 

 

In February of 2008 Gerardo presented an exhibit at the National Gallery in Costa Rica.  After which he was awarded an honorable mention at the Municipal Art League of Chicago, Bienniel Competition.  This last summer brought

him more awards; the best of painting at the Catigny Art Festival, the best of painting at the Joliet Masters Art Festival, and  the best of show at the Lincolnshire Art Show.

 

In addition to his teaching schedule, he continues to garner major commissions on a local and international scale.

CALL FOR SCULPTORS

A SPECIAL INVITATION TO ALL SCULPTORS WHO WERE BORN, RESIDE, WORK OR GO TO SCHOOL IN DUPAGE COUNTY 

Sculptors with ties from DuPage County are invited to participate in Lombard's first-ever DuPage Invitational Sculpture and 3-D Art Show.

This event will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 9th, 2009 in the breathtaking setting of Lilacia Park during Lombard's Annual Lilac Time Celebration. Lilacia Park is located at 227 W. Parkside Ave. in Lombard, near Main Street and directly across from the Metra Station. Promotions for the sculpture show will be included in the Lilac Time Celebration brochures.

This project will be presented by the Lombard Arts Coalition in cooperation with various organizations from the Lombard community.

The show is open to sculptors who were born, reside, work, or go to school in DuPage County.  Show organizers invite not only established area sculptors, but outstanding emerging student sculptors from county area high schools and colleges, as well. Special participation fees are in place for student artists and Lombard Arts Coalition members.

Each design must be a minimum of  2 feet tall. All works must be finished, and be of original design. Delivery, removal, and safety of the sculptures will be the responsibility of the artist.

Sculptures will be judged and the following prize money will be awarded:  $1,000 first place; $500 second place; $250 third place.  The most outstanding student artists will be recognized with the following awards:  two $500 scholarships for high school artists, and two $1,000 scholarships for college artists under age 25.The Village of Lombard will take entries into consideration for its Public Art Program portfolio, which purchases art through a matching grant process.  Dignitaries from surrounding DuPage communities will also be invited to attend the event and may consider the art for purchase.

Detailed information about the event is included in the application and participation packet. To receive a packet, call (630) 415-3656, e-mail info@dupagearts.com, or write the Lombard Arts Coalition at P.O. Box 506, Lombard, IL 60148-0506.  Visit www.dupagesculpture.org to download a participation packet or for more information about the event.  APPLICATION DEADLINE:  March 1, 2009.

A new acrylic formulation - 04/15/2009

Posted By: kbetzchroma

 

Where:

Plainfield Art League Gallery & School
24114 West Chicago Street
Plainfield Illinois, 60544
United States

Email Contacts:
kbetz@chromaonline.com - Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics

info@plainfieldartleague.org - Plainfield Art League  

 

Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics offer a
truly unique and different acrylic formulation.  In 2003, by rethinking
the typical acrylic formulation methods, Jim Cobb - Artist, Educator and
Paintmaker - designed an acrylic paint so revolutionary it now has a patent
pending.

 

With Atelier Interactive Professional Artists' Acrylics, the
artist controls the open time.  Work can be done wet-in-wet by adding more
moisture with a fine mist spray.  Work can be done wet-over-dry by simply
not adding moisture.  One acrylic paint offers it all . . . .
the benefit of a longer open time, and the convenience of rapid
drying!

 

You can experience Atelier Interactive yourself and discover
how it can transform your painting process.  Be inspired by the ability to
double your techniques!

 

A Chroma artist will introduce the product, speak to its features and
benefits, and then get the attendees to begin painting. The Chroma artist
facilitating the event will be available for questions and comment. This event
is designed to be interactive and fun - giving us the opportunity to introduce
the product and get people excited. Support materials include presentation
boards and printed collateral. Chroma will supply the paint and mediums
necessary. The attendees will supply their own surfaces, brushes, and
associated materials.

modified by webmaster@plainfieldartleague.org

Mike Besslers' Fine arts exhibit at Oakbrook Center over Labor Day weekend

By Ann Piccininni | Daily Herald Correspondent

A field of brilliant red and yellow tulips dazzles visitors' eyes as they trek across the concourse at Oakbrook Center this weekend.

The image, captured on film by Bolingbrook photographer Mike Bessler, is as striking as the beds of living flowers, fountains and gardens liberally sprinkled throughout the outdoor mall.

"That's 14 exposures that I stitched together," said Bessler. "That's why I can have it all in focus."

Bessler, exhibiting at the 46th Annual Invitational Fine Art Exhibition, a show where he won Best of Show honors in 2005, said he prints many of his digital photos directly onto canvas.

"I have a printer the size of a queen-sized bed," he said.

Several of his works feature fine, detailed close-ups that invite the viewer to see the subject in novel ways. There's an eagle's face, a pink flower, a pond's shoreline turned upside-down, the image suspended inside a raindrop clinging to a dogwood branch.

The vertical motion of a waterfall is juxtaposed with the craggy lines of a cliff and the horizontal sweep of water current below in a photo taken at Starved Rock State Park.

Sometimes, Bessler said, he embellishes his photos.

"I paint on texture," he said, pointing to the purposely broad brush strokes layered onto a photograph.

An artist who also teaches his craft, Bessler said he exhibits at only one show each year.

"This is the only show I do. I like this show. It's local for me," he said.

Plainfield Art League members painted windows for a baseball-themed event to be held downtown Aug. 30.

Sheryl Jones, president of Plainfield Art League, paints an image of Harry Caray on the window of Wine & Cheese by TCC on the north side of Lockport Street in downtown Plainfield.

Robyn Sheldon / Special to The Sun

PAL Board Meeting 08/06/08

Treasurer's report 

Sheryl reported that there are only enough funds left to pay the rent for September.  She will finish the business plan and present it to the Village Board.  She is concerned about asking the Village for more money without any membership interest, involvement or support.  The board agreed that there needs to be more membership involvement because most of the responsibilities have been falling on the shoulders of the same 2 or 3 people and those individuals do not wish to keep up with all the demands themselves.  Tina suggested sending out an email to all the members and explain that unless more members volunteer, the art league may not survive.  The most important thing the art league needs help with is community events.  

General committee news / planning 

Tina and Sam will work together to organize the exhibits and discuss better ways to do them.  

Wednesday the 13^th the current exhibits art needs to be picked up by the members between 8 & 9 pm.  Sheryl will ask Nancy D'Agostino to judge the exhibit on Wednesday.  Nancy will be asked to arrive at 6:00 and the meeting will start at 7:00.  Tina will get some ribbons or print out certificates to hand out as awards.   

Saturday the 16^th will be the drop off date for the new exhibit which will consist of all students work.  Sheryl suggested changing the student exhibits title to "Favorite Project" because some parents have expressed concerns about finding art that their children have done in class that fits with the specific exhibits titles.

Student's exhibits will be hung according to age groups.

Cheryl, Marge, Tina and Sam will hang the art on Saturday the 16^th. 

Mindy will be stepping down from her position as Secretary.  The board discussed a couple names to fill in until a permanent Secretary could be found.  Mindy will continue to handle the membership until someone can be found to take that over. 

Saturday the 23^rd Mainstreet has asked the art league to do window painting in downtown Plainfield again from 9:00 am to noon.  The theme is baseball.  Sheryl said Mainstreet will give PAL sponsorship.  

There are five people signed up so far for the William Band watercolor workshop. 

Calls are coming in about September classes and about after school classes. 

Sheryl said she will get an email out to the members about the William Band workshop, September classes, the upcoming demo, student's exhibit and the window painting. 

Mindy Marge and Tina will call all the members that do not have email addresses and inform them of the important points for Sheryl's email. 

Business was concluded.