Friday, April 13, 2012

Mayor's Award



Mayor’s Award 2012,  March 23rd, 2012



“Who’da thunk when I picked up a brush for the first time in 1990 that it would have (stopped here-choked up) brought me here tonight. WOW! Thank you to the Fairbanks Arts Association for making the award available and to the Board and the Mayors for choosing us. It is truly an honor. 
That little brush, I think it was a #6, led me to learning watercolor, which led me to Tom Nixon, which led me to painting better and more! and then the Watercolor Society. Everything I do for the Society, I do with a big heart. We-the group-have grown so much over the last ten years. It has just been a joy to be a part of it. We were just doing what we love to do. Painting and pushing people around in all sorts of directions! Thank you again.  
Nelda Benson-Nixon




President’s Acceptance Speech:

On behalf of the Fairbanks Watercolor Society, I am accepting this Award with gratitude. This is my second year as President, a job I could not do if it were not for my excellent Board, which consists of Beckalisa Anderson as Vice President, Olga Hesketh as Treasurer and Nelda Benson Nixon nominally as Secretary but much more so. She and Olga are our organizational Memory, along with Barbara O’Dell and Gael Murakami. Nelda also keeps us informed through the monthly Newsletter and frequent reminders with her First Friday and Third Friday ‘Ticklers’.  She is also, along with Cheryl Berrong, our annual Water Media Show coordinator and is on the Workshop Committee.
The Fairbanks Watercolor Society was formed in August 1984 to provide the opportunity to learn about watercolor painting; to exhibit work; to support watercolor painters and to enhance the appreciation of the medium, which is known as being hard to control.
The formational members, who called themselves the Fairbanks Painters’ League, were Barbara O’Dell – they used to meet in her house – Gael Murakami, Marionette Stock, Janet  Ferguson and Skip Slater. Barbara, Gael and Marionette remain members. Jim Allen was also a member at that time and still is. The first President, Jack Taylor, moved Outside, but he was very encouraging to those, like myself, who joined later.
This month the Society is celebrating its 13th annual Water Media Show. Thanks to David Mollett, the show may still be seen at Well Street Gallery until the 31st.  The Society’s earliest shows were at House of Wood, Plate & Palette, The Paint Pot, and then New Horizons. The theme of the first show there was work done at MacLaren.  The group had spent a Labor Day weekend at MacLaren Lodge.  This tradition continues. Our 2011 Labor Day Paint-out was at Manley Hot Springs, where we also set up a fairly extensive Art Show of work done by our members.
During these 28 years,  the Society has broadened.  Artists are no longer merely painting for pleasure and the occasional local show.  In recent years, there has been a wealth of First Friday shows in places like the Woodway, the City Museum, coffee shops, businesses, and even a beauty shop. Certain members have branched out by teaching, and then by becoming fully professional.  Marionette Stock takes commissions but she  now mostly paints in acrylics.  Nikki Kinne is a recognized artist who exhibits around the State and Outside, even in Israel.  Tammy Phillips just returned from her New York  show Opening at the Agora Gallery in New York – the Agora gallery were the ones to make initial contact with her .   The Watercolor Society has benefitted immensely from internationally known watercolor artist and Olympic gold medal ice carver Vladimir Zhikhartsev,  who came to Fairbanks two decades ago from his art career in Russia because of our quality ice.  He holds weekly life drawing sessions and he teaches regular workshops in which many of our members have greatly enhanced their skills.  Tom Nixon is one of those, and he is now teaching watercolor classes as one of a ‘second generation’ of Fairbanks Artists.
Besides these local teachers, the Fairbanks Watercolor Society has brought nationally and internationally known artists for week-long workshops. We have invited a plethora of good names in art, such as Nancy Taylor Stonington, Mel Stabin, Karlyn Holman, Ron Ranson, Jane Hofstetter, etc. and we have also benefitted from the two-week classes taught at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival by such artists as Judi Betts.
As I mentioned earlier, Tammy Phillips was contacted by a New York gallery that requested her to show her work there. But individual Fairbanks artists are not the only ones who are being sought out.  It was only yesterday that we received a request for the Watercolor Society to participate in making ‘the world’s longest painting’. This from an artist whose 48 foot long 8 foot high painting is in the Guinness Book of World Records. Although this invitation did not fit our group’s purpose, it seems the Fairbanks Watercolor Society is already ‘on the map’.  And with this award from the Fairbanks Arts Association and the three Mayors we are taking another step forward into being recognized as a serious group.
Thank you.
Helen M. Howard
President FWS 2011, 2012

April Newsletter


FAIRBANKS WATERCOLOR SOCIETY -  NEWSLETTER – APRIL - 2012
monthly meeting, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18th,   6:30pm Social/Greeting; 7:00pm, Meeting & Program.   
This month we will meet in the Pioneer Museum Lobby, Pioneer Park.    
Refreshments:  For April, Twila Everitt, Joyce Grover and Cheryl Berrong have signed up to bring refreshments.  
We always appreciate any extras that you might want to bring along.  If you have any questions or suggestions, 
contact Marj Moberly at 457-4661.    Thank you in advance!
PRESIDENT'S PALETTE 
Now that the April thaw is on, we are thinking about Summer and even the Labor Day weekend paint-out. After much deliberation and checking available sites for all the things we would require, Anne Alshire and her committee made a decision.  It will be at Healy Heights Family Cabins (Phone: 907-683-2639, email: johnson@healycabins.com).  It is not too early to book; many places are already filled.  Their web site is http://healycabins.com  Anne will have a flyer at the meeting.  She has posted lots of information on our yahoo groups site, and some details are later in the newsletter. 
If you want to share the large Chalet cabin with Ellen and me, please call me first to arrange that. I have it for Saturday and Sunday.  (Helen: 374-2914.) However, Ellen and I are actually going on Friday, and if you also want to arrive Friday, we could book it then also.  
 As there is no restaurant or lodge on site, we will use the Chalet cabin as our centre of activities and hold our usual show and tell with wine and cheese there on Saturday and Sunday afternoons/evening, and have a barbecue there on Saturday. On Sunday evening we will eat at the Golf Club where they serve gourmet fare.  
The Fairbanks Watercolor Society was honored by the Mayors of the Interior of Alaska. On your behalf, and with Tom and Nelda Nixon, I accepted a plaque and gave the attached speech, that honors our founders: Barbara O'Dell, Gael Murakami, Marionette Stock, Jim Allan and others. It gives an idea of who we are, our history and activities. 
Barbara O'Dell is moving into Raven Landing and can no longer be our Historian. If you would like to take over this important position, please let us know.
Helen Howard
President
Picture of Lovely Plaque:  Attached.
FROM BECKY’S CORNER
Greetings and Salutations, oh Mighty Artists!
It was fun to see so many of you at the 2012 Interior Alaska Mayors' Awards for the Arts, on March 23.  It was a very nice ceremony, and it was wonderful to see Tom and Nelda Nixon honored, along with the Fairbanks Watercolor Society, with the Arts and Leadership Awards.  A nice and crowded reception followed.  Congratulations, All!

Our FWS meeting on April 18 will be in the Pioneer Park Museum Lobby area, for this month only. We are happy to announce that Jinx Whitaker will be speaking on how to mark our artwork for accurate art appraisal in the future.  It will be soooo nice to be in the same room with Jinx, again, whom we miss and appreciate.  Thank you Jinx!  In addition, we will be celebrating Spring with our Annual Spring Studio Sale (aka yard sale)!  So bring your studio wares you'd like to sell, and bring the big bucks for all your new purchases to the April meeting;  we will have tables set up to share.  I love a good yard sale!

A giant thank you goes to Tammy Phillips, our program presenter at the March FWS meeting.  Tammy was so inspiring, telling us the ins and outs of connecting with, and being represented by, The Agora Gallery in NYC.  What a wealth of information she shared, and you can look for a great article on her in the upcoming May edition of "Artist Spectrum", which you can find at Barnes and Noble.  It's fun to see Tammy soar, AND get the inside scoop, tips, and tricks of the trade from her.  Thanks for sharing, Tammy!

That's the scoop!
From my Corner of the Studio to Yours,
Becky
NELDA’S NOTE
ANNUAL SHOW: Well folks, our Annual March Show “INTERIOR LIGHT” has been and gone!    What a great show it was!  Final count I believe was 14 sales.  Only a few short of last year.  

A HUGE THANK YOU to the folks that nominated Tom and I and the Fairbanks Watercolor Society for the Mayor’s Award for Arts and Leadership.  I do apologize for choking up when I was supposed to be saying thank you.  I tend to do that when something is really important to me.  I did type up what I wanted to say, and put it on my Facebook page along with some of the pictures that Elda had taken.  It was just a magical night and we both want to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  It was deeply appreciated. 
On another note:  As most of you know, the CHRISTINE FORTNER WATERCOLOR WORKSHOP Sponsored and handled  by the Fairbanks Watercolor Society, will be held May 7-11, 2012.  (that’s less than a month away!)  “Learn the classical study of light and shadow in still life and landscape. The class will have fun with the various techniques of depicting light, making color choices and understanding the properties of paint we choose to put on our palette.”  
This is the only workshop scheduled for 2012 and will be at St. Raphael’s (our favorite place for workshops).  It is just a happy place to learn new things, with lots of space and light.  We’ll have a great time!
I am really excited about this workshop.  She was one of my first workshops way back when, and I learned so much from her.  Lots of little things, from brushes to paint, that to this day will pop into my head.  She has a great way of teaching and is very down to earth.  She’ll be bringing slides to show on our TV monitor, and it should be very informative.  I hope you sign up soon, if you haven’t already.   The materials list is also on the web site.  If you have most of the colors, or her basics, you will be fine.  Most of you already have the items she names.
Registration forms are posted on the FWS web site: www.fairbankswatercolor.org  under Workshops and I did attach some in our last newslletter.  The class limit is 20.  It is filling fast.  The time is drawing near quickly!  Be sure and do it soon, so you don’t end up on the waitlist.  Cost is estimated at $300.  Sign up today, $100 will hold your spot.  Balance will be due April 23rd. Which is only two weeks away!  Her web site is fortnerstudio@alaska.com.  I’ll have a few forms with me at the meeting too.  For any questions please contact Nelda Nixon, 456-3329 or tnnixon@alaska.net.  
HELP WANTED!  We need a volunteer for our Historian position.  As mentioned, Barb won’t be able to maintain it or store the scrapbooks.  The position requires collecting news articles, pictures from functions and placing them in a readable scrapbook.  Quite often we have some of the books on display at some functions.  They are really fun to look at and provided the details for Helen’s speech at the Mayor’s Awards.  Other members of our group will help with delivering articles and programs to the historian.  I think it would take minimal time, but definitely needs someone ‘in charge’.  Think about it.  If this is something you think you could handle, please call Helen 374-2914 or Nelda at 456-3329.  This was actually my first position for our club.
Spring is in the air!!
Nelda Nixon, Secretary.
GRANGE GALLERY * THIRD FRIDAY ART SHOW *
"From Brushes to Books"  The April 20 Third Friday Art show is a fundraiser for the North Pole Library.  Artists are asked to donate pieces for the show and silent auction, with varying commissions available.  Contact John Poirrier at poirrier@gci.net, or call 322-0623 for more information. 
GRANGE GALLERY WORKSHOP –  In addition, on Saturday, April 21, Matt Moberly will be presenting a watercolor workshop "Jumpstart Your Imagination" 10:00am-3:00pm at the North Pole Grange. Cost: $45 Check out the North Pole Grange facebook page for more information.  There is a great poster with lots more information.

FAIRBANKS ART LEAGUE,  NEXT MEETING:  May 8th, 2012.   For particulars, contact Nikki Kinne, (907)479-2695.
Co-Op Arts LLC announces the opening of the CO-OP ARTS LEARNING CENTER, a space dedicated to art classes and workshops.  Located in the Co-Op Plaza, downtown Fairbanks, the Learning Center will offer classes by artists associated with Gallery 49, artistic “excursions” for visitors, art classes for home schooled children, and much more.  The space is available for rent by individuals and organizations offering artistic activities.  The Learning Center will also be another First Friday venue, with featured artists, plus other artwork from Gallery 49.

WILD ARTS WALK, Sunday, June 3, 12:00-4:00
Design Alaska Wild Arts Walk
The Wild Arts Walk is coming up on June 3, and always proves to be a fun time!  the Deadline for booth application is May 4, so if you would like your own booth/tent, don't delay!  We have our Fairbanks Watercolor Society tent reserved, and need a few volunteers to share in the fun of manning the booth.  Contact Becky Anderson to secure your volunteering spot!  For more information and applications, contact Creamers Field.

FAIRBANKS ARTS ASSOCIATION
M
ark your calendars for ART EXPO, 2012!  On Sunday, April 22nd the Fairbanks Arts Association is sponsoring an afternoon of workshops for artists geared towards professional development. April 22nd is Earth Day, and in the spirit of recycling good ideas and upcycling towards greater networking and increased technological awareness, the Fairbanks Arts Association would like to invite you to join us on Sunday afternoon. Ever wondered how to successfully build an internet presence? Have you wished that you knew more about programs such as Photoshop or Indesign? Ever wondered what to do in case of flood or fire in your studio? Workshops on these topics and several others will all be addressed during this day of free workshops held in the Exhibit Hall in Pioneer Park!  
Unfortunately, due to a scheduling conflict, the Fairbanks Arts Association was unable to secure the usual day in March for Art EXPO, but this has provided us with an opportunity to focus on the workshops portion of Art EXPO and give our local artists a day of artistic rejuvenation. Join us on April 22nd as we come together to listen, learn, and develop ourselves professionally as 
artists!  See the Fairbanks Arts Association website for workshop descriptions, and to RSVP.  Workshops are free.
MORE DETAILS ON THE HEALY HEIGHTS CABINS:   (THERE WILL BE A FLYER AT THE MEETING TOO!)
FROM ANNE ALSHIRE, Labor Day Week-End Committee Chairman.
Phone and website listed in Helen’s President’s Palette.
Helen has booked the Chalet for Sat and Sunday nights - there are 4 double beds in two bedrooms.
Helen has also booked the North Ridge cabin for Friday night - one double, one single bed.
I have booked the North Ridge Cabin for Sat and Sunday nights.
If you book a different cabin, please let me know. Also let me know if you have or need room-mates.
I have started a list of who is going, what cabin they have and if they have or need room-mates.
I plan to drive down Friday night after work - leaving at 5:30 pm. I could take one other person with me.
If you are driving and can take others let me know and I will try to match people up.
If you have any questions or would like to room with someone please contact me.
Anne at 322-1206.

Thanks
Anne, 
PS more info to come as it is arranged.
Rates for 1-2 persons $15 extra person single Bed double bed total
 $130 North Ridge Sleeps 3 MW & Refrig 1 1 3  
Rented by Helen, Fri, and Anne Alshire Sat, Sun.
 $130 Aspen View  Sleeps 3 MW & Refrig 1 1 3
 $140 Willow Sleeps 4 MW & Refrig 2 2
 $140 Windward Sleeps 5 MW & Refrig 1 2 5
 $140 Guest House Sleeps 4 full kitchen 1 1  ( double bed in loft with steep stairs )
Rented.– Unavailable.
 $220 Chalet Sleeps 6 full kitchen 2 2 6  
Rented by Helen & Eller, Sat, Sun.
        (price is for 1-4 people)        5 9 20
SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION  (A NEW CATEGORY!)  (Also known as SSP!)  Open to all Members…..
BECKY ANDERSON --- Becky Anderson is thrilled to be May's Featured Jewelry Artist at S Salon!  The unveiling of April's "Fun and Funky Spring Collection" was a hit---come see what she has in store for May!  You can find my fused glass jewelry creations at the S Salon through June 27.  You can also find my fused glass jewelry, wine stoppers, and larger art pieces at Gallery 49 in the Co-Op Plaza.

PEGGY BIRKENBUEL -  sold pieces at Well Street gallery and had 3 accepted in the Artisans show and also has 3 pieces in the Alaska Bird Observatory show for April.  
CHERYL BERRONG, DEE CARPENTER, and ?? also have pieces in the Alaska Bird Observatory.
TOM NIXON has his show at Phillips Gallery, along with Tammy Phillips. The Upstairs Gallery is open on Saturdays now through the end of April from 11-5pm. If you weren’t able to get by, stop in to visit on Saturday.

WOODWAY   Twila Everitt and Donna Lenard  are in the Woodway through April.  This is the last month for their First Friday shows until the fall in October, when they will resume again.  For information about showing there please contact Matt Moberly, 388-8262  or  email: mmoberly49@gmail.com
JEANNE ARMSTRONG - Happy Spring to you all!  Please put a notice in the FWS newsletter about my SOLO show at Denali State Bank opening on April 6.  It's called " Sure Signs of Spring", and it's full of fresh, new, whimsical paintings. 
Bear Gallery Gift Shop Corner   Features FWS members each month.  Donna Lenard is the artist for April ..
      For future months the Bear Gallery Gift Shop Corner, give Helen Howard a call 374-2914 – leave a msg or email  hmh@acsalaska.net to set up your month for yourself. 
      
AND FROM HOMER AND THE KBWS: 
Barbara Nechis Workshop scheduled for Sept. 6 - 9, 2012, at Lands End in Homer, Alaska.
             Barbara Nechis is looking forward to being back in Alaska and coming to Homer. Under her workshop guidelines she states: "Instruction is not geared towards beginners or part time participants. (Anyone who has read my book and is comfortable with my philosophy with benefit, whether or not they are experienced in watercolor.) I begin with a demonstration lasting about an hour and stress a different concept each day, followed by assistance to students. I conclude each day with a one hour critique."
       A confirmation of receipt of your application and deposit will be sent out around the first of June or before. A supply list will be enclosed.
       Please send questions or comments to mkirkham65@gmail.com
 Please view our Newsletter and Calendar of Events on our website at: www.kachemakbaywatercolorsociety.com

OUT OF TOWN
Mat-Su College is having their second annual weekend Machetanz Art Festival l on June 2 and registration is available now. Get on their web site and then just write in "Art Festival 2012" and it will open. Click on the classes and a list will show up - drawing, painting - oil- watercolor -silk, printmaking, photography, pottery, beading.  Classes are small 8-15 students depending on the class. All day is generally $50 (9-4)+ some material fees in some instances or half day $25 (some classes are half day). Judi Betts is teaching a class there. I think there is an error in the price on her class so you may want to check - I think it is $100 for the day.  Currently it says $1.00 but I think it is a decimal error - either way a great deal!                           At least 2 of our locals will be teaching there.  Tom Nixon and Vladimir Zhikhartsev, 
So if you want a chance to mingle with some fine artists, get that little beginning of summer shot in the arm, take a glorious drive down to the valley (maybe even extend the trip a little) why not check this opportunity out.
MARK McDERMOTT <markmcde@gci.net> wrote:  I am teaching a watercolor workshop titled "Watercolor Landscape: Tips & Techniques" at Across The Bay Tent & Breakfast, Kachemak Bay, the weekend of Aug. 17-19, 2012: http://www.tentandbreakfastalaska.com/Across_the_Bay/Watercolor.html  (Ed. Note – this looks so cool!)
Mark McDermott                Painting Web Site: http://www.markmcdermottart.com 
5100 Vaquero Road          Photo Web Site:  http://www.markmcdermottphoto.com 
Anchorage, Alaska 99516
907-345-6997
STILLPOINT – HALIBUT COVE (across from Homer)  Includes Eric Weigardt. (This was a great email brochure, but unable to include it because of space.  So check out the website and look at workshops.)
Friends, We are pleased to announce our lineup of retreats for the upcoming summer season. Make plans now to attend one of our unforgettable events. Invite a friend, a loved one, a parent or a sibling to attend along with you. 
Blessings,   Jan Thurston
  For more details: www.stillpointlodge.com/employment.htm
Southcentral Alaska (near Anchorage)  Join us (The Painted Ladies) for this All Inclusive Alaskan Plein Air Adventure, June 15-19. 2012.  This retreat will be based out of a Wasilla B & B.  Go to PleinAirAlaska.com and find out all about this group, as well as about this retreat.  Click on about the retreat.  If you are interested, sign up soon, as it is filling up. 
Call For Art:
Art for Alaska Parks รข?" 2012 -  Alaska's Top 30 Competition  -  Award Categories
$1000 Grand Prize  -  Entry Deadline is July 31,2012
New Award Category!  -  A Celebration Of Alaska's Beauty
The AFAP comp is designed to celebrate the beauty of Alaska by showcasing representational artists while enhancing the public awareness of Alaska's public accessible recreational areas.  This event is sponsored by Alaska Artists Guild
You can obtain more information and Prospectus/Entry Form from our website: www.artforalaskaparks.com
Kurt Jacobson President ALASKA ARTIST GUILD
VLADIMIR ZHIKHARTSEV   is continuing his Friday classes/mini workshops through April.  10am to 4:00pm.  At 1604 Turner St.  Contact him to sign up and find out what the theme for that day’s class is, so you can supply your own reference materials.  Never the same and always a challenge!  Cost is $65. Bring your own lunch.  Fresh coffee, tea & cookies are provided.  Call 455-4423 or email vladimir@acsalaska.net (preferred).
SUE COLE Is teaching one-on-one, children or adults, at her studio or she will come to you by appointment.  Call 456-3635 or 799-1120 or email scoleak@gmail.com
TOM NIXON:    Is teaching on-going classes.  Contact him for more information.  Call Tom or Nelda at 456-3329 or email tnnixon@alaska.net for more details or visit their improved & updated web site  www.tomnixonart.com.
To be up on the latest ‘in-between notices’ from a member to all group members, please join our Yahoo Group.  Messages can come into your Yahoo account or any email account you choose,.  You need to sign up to be able to receive it.  It is a useful tool.  Go to: http://Groups.Yahoo.com/group/FbxWCS/  and follow directions to become a member.  It is free. What is great about this tool is you can post a note to everyone listed from the watercolor society with one posting.  It will go to everyone signed up in the group to receive a message.  I think there are 55 listed now.  Problems? Call Nelda Nixon
Newsletter  items should be sent via email by the first weekend of each month.
FIRST FRIDAY and THIRD FRIDAY TICKLER INFO should be sent the Monday of the week of the specific Friday (submissions preferably in 10pt Arial font) to Nelda Nixon at tnnixon@alaska.net or  Call 456-3329 to remind me.
DUES for 2012 were due on January 1st.  They can be paid any time now.  Please fill out the lime green sheet that will be at the meeting or print one out from our web site www.fairbankswatercolor.org.  I will have an updated roster with me if you wonder what years you might owe for. It is just $15. per year.  Or if you want to drop, please email me and let me know.  Becky and I will be contacting some folks in the next few months.  Nelda  tnnixon@alaska.net
FRIDGE NOTES 2011
APRIL
Apr. 3rd Pick up Paintings – Well St. Art. Co. 
Apr 4  Newsletter deadline
Apr 6  First Friday
Apr 18  5:30pm FAA visual arts committee meeting,  Bear Gallery
    6:30pm FWS Meeting.
President Helen Howard, 374-2914;  Vice President Becky Anderson, 474-4014;
Secretary/ Newsletter/ Membership Nelda L. Benson-Nixon, 456-3329; and Treasurer Olga Hesketh, 452-1210;
Fairbanks Watercolor Society
P.O. Box 82536
Fairbanks, AK 99708-2536
Address Service Requested
Meeting:  Wed., March 21st, 2012
6:30-9:00pm, Blue Room 
Civic Center, Pioneer Park