Ohio River Valley Artist Guild Blog

Ruvonna

Ruvonna — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:01:23 +0000

I think it would be nice to schedule rotating shows periodically, say quarterly, with scheduled receptions for the public. Maybe a photography show, a pottery show , a student show, an art camp show etc. The main floor is probably large enough to have these show and maintain space for all artists to have some work on display. Each artist might not have a lot of space but I think this would bring more people in and allow for their work to have more exposure to the public . This would require more work but it seems like members are willing to participate.

Show Opportunity in Louisville

Ken — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:11:05 +0000

Thought i’d pass on this opportunity for folks looking for venues to show/sell their work.

Greetings from Farmington Historic Plantation !

This year, Farmington Historic Plantation will be hosting Art in the Garden in conjunction with our 48^th annual plant sale on April 23^rd and 24^th. We invite you to participate as a vendor in these activities throughout to display, market, and sell your art to our visitors. The event is an annual plant sale (which we have been hosting for over forty years now), combined with an art fair, located on our eighteen acre site. The event occurs come rain or shine, is free admission, and open to the public. We will have Easter activities this year for the children, several food vendors, and hopefully a record-breaking crowd! The logistics of the event are as follows:

- 18 acres for artist vendors

- Easter activities for children

- Plant sale with Thienemans Nursery

- Food vendors

- Costumed Re-Enactors

- An 1816 Museum House open for free tours

- April 23 - 10:00am to 5:00pm

- April 24 – 12:00noon to 4:00pm

NEW THIS YEAR: We would like to have student artists from local universities to be vendors as well.

Attached, you will find the press release from 2009’s Art in the Garden and a vendor contract for the details of the event. We look forward to seeing you for this unique and friendly event hosted by Farmington Historic Plantation!

Please note that the press release from 2009 represents an event that was exclusive with the Louisville Artisans Guild and contains other outdated information. It is included as an example.

All activities will take place at Farmington Historic Plantation, 3033 Bardstown Road Louisville, KY 40205. Please visit our website at www.historichomes.org.

Contact: Diane Young: 502.452.9920. & farmingtonassoc@bellsouth.net Please call or e-mail with any questions. We accept cash, check, Master Card, Visa or Discover.

Diane N. Young

Program Director

Farmington Historic Plantation

3033 Bardstown Road

Louisville, Kentucky 40205

(502) 452-9920

www.historichomes.org

Viewing Art

Toby — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:36:52 +0000

We had a lively conversation the other night about how the art guild paintings should be hung. I had to think through how I felt, before giving my two cents worth. Anyhow, I think opinions should be shared and mulled, so here is mine.
The very best art shows I have ever seen were presented as a ‘body of work’. I like to go into the guild and look at how the artist grew and explored different things. A good example is Tom Ross’ photographs. I liked the Shakertown series and the Maysville architecture. Then he introduced a whole series of nudes that took my breath away. His latest from the Cox building and the Pub are great,. If they had been spread all over, I may not have appreciated it as much. Betsy and I drug that shelf upstairs so we could collect all of Marjorie’s things because she said she would try to come sit at Frontier Christmas. We also made an inventory because everything was gathered. After it was all together I thought it incredible the range of work she had! Even the ‘Girl with the Hammer’ dream is there. I just cannot see a reason to divide her work about and lose realization of the sheer enormity of her work.
As for my pottery, I prefer it stay together as my body of work. For example, I spent over a year making oval casseroles and baking dishes to fulfill a commission. At one time I had 6 covered casseroles on display. Each one has a flaw that I solved in the next. I like to look at pottery (mine and others) and see the constant improvement. We all display things that we do better now, and it is fulfilling to see it evolve. Beyond that, most people place pottery to fill a shelf or convenient empty spot. Often this is not where it would best be seen.
Another issue is space and ‘territory’. I think with a bit of planning and cooperation everyone who wants to hang, or place, art has room to do so. No one ever said (that I know of) it could not be hung. Some people just assumed they could not, or that things were assigned. As far as I know, the only ones who placed their own art in a specific place are Betsy and Tom. Betsy just left her work where she had set up for Frontier Christmas because it was easier and she has limited space at home. We have a lot of art hanging by people who never come. If they are no longer members, maybe that work can be placed in a less prominent spot or taken down.
It was suggested that some of us wanted our work together because of the money. I won‘t lie, the money or ‘barter‘has been gratifying. The occasional sell has allowed me to buy art from Betsy, Ken, Rob, Sue, Linda, June, Russel and others. I could not afford to do any of that without selling my pottery. And it is gratifying to have someone buy something I made to give to another as a gift!
Anyway, whatever is decided will be what we will do. But I hope some different ideas are discussed before anything is done.

Frontier Christmas

Toby — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:55:22 +0000

Jo and I were at the guild yesterday and looking at all that needs to be done before this weekend. Lots of easels and art camp things need to be hauled downstairs, vacuuming, etc. If any of you can stop in and lend a hand during the week it would be helpful. Also, not too many people have picked up advertising posters, etc. that Tom and Jo made. I am making a new sign for out front, but we can always use some on 68 and up in Washington. I assume everyone is pretty much on their own about tables, etc. for their wares. There should be a ton of room for all of us. I do request that Stephanie M. use the rest of the space by my pottery, as I told her I would handle her things on Saturday while she had to be away. Please share the event if you get it on Facebook to spread the word. Hope to see you Saturday

Bethel Art And Music Festival

Ken — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:20:30 +0000

ORVAG members have been invited to participate in Bethel, Ohio’s Art and music festival. More information is available here:
http://www.roborigs.com/RoboRigsProject1/bethelohevents/index.html

Photos of hammers from the Fulton Farm

kemckisson@hotmail.com — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:12:14 +0000

March meeting minutes

Ken — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:08:47 +0000

OHIO VALLEY ARTISTS GUILD
BOARD/MEMBERSHIP MEETING

March 24, 2010

Members Present:

June Myers, Ruvonna Bevard, Clarence Qualls, Jo Ross, Mary Hughes, Tammie Brown, Ken Swinson, Donna Huber, Vicki Tichenor, Betsy Adams, Lorraine Millikin, Toby Fried, Kathy Macht, Ken Macht, Kim McKissin, Judy Pfeffer, Stephanie Martinez, Karen Fulton, Sam Bevard, Claudia Moose, Jim Moose. (We had 21 present and this may be an all time record)

Claudia Moose, Director, called the meeting to order at 5:00pm.

Members present reviewed the minutes of the January meeting. There was one correction. Karen Fulton is a past board member and Jo Ross is one of our present board members. After the correction, Betsy Adams moved that the minutes be accepted and Ken Swinson seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Two new members were introduced, Tammy Brown, and Lorraine Mullikin.

OLD BUSINESS

Skip Werline will be presenting the annual Pat Breslin Watercolor workshop beginning Wednesday, April 7th, at 5pm with a “Wine and Cheese” event and setup of art supplies for the workshop instruction phase, Friday and Saturday, April 9th and 10th from 10:00am to 4:00pm both days. Cost for the entire session is $100.00, which may be paid the first evening. Please email Claudia if you are attending and include your name, address, and home phone. Vicki Tichenor encouraged attendance because we are having such a wonderful artist and instructor for the workshop this year.

NEW BUSINESS

Claudia reminded members of Maysville’s 2nd Annual Tromp and Trolley Art Walk, May 7th from 5-9pm. The ORVAG Annual Museum Show will open at the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center with a wine and cheese reception at 5:00 pm. Members are to drop off artwork to be displayed the month of May at the museum on Tuesday, April 27th. The main event for Tromp and Trolley will be sponsored by the City of Maysville and take place at 6:00 pm in the small mall between the Old White Hotel and the Bank. Maysville Cultural Arts District Association will be unveiling a “surprise” at that time.

If individual Guild artists wish to have a separate location of their own other than the museum, there are several locations available:
Opera Theatre
Annie’s Backstage
Hendrickson Building
Individual Artists/Shop owners
Russell Theatre
Culinary Arts Institute

Claudia also announced the following upcoming events:

1. 4/7 Still life painting at the Guild 1-3 PM

2. 4/18 Art Camp planning meeting 4 PM

3. 4/21 ORVAG Board/Membership Meeting 5 PM

4. 4/28 Art critique 6 PM at Guild

Kathy Macht requested permission to sell raffle tickets for an EB Lewis painting to benefit the Fleming Co. Art Council during Maysville Tromp and Trolley at the Museum. Drawing to be this December.

Kim McKissin announced that she would be having her first photography on May 14th at The Banana Tree in Flemingsburg.

Vicky thanked Karen Fulton and her husband, Scotty, for having such a wonderful Art Smart Sunday at their farm last Sunday.

Stephanie Martinez requested that Guild members participate in the Youth Festival sponsored by the Maysville Montessori School. The event will be May 8th at the Rec. Park.

Kim Mckissin and Ken Swinson talked about forming a Photography Club. The Photography Club could meet as often as once a month at the Guild. Since some participants will be traveling long distances and will only be involved in photography, Clarence Qualls suggested offering an associate membership to the Guild at a fee of $5.00 per person per meeting attended. Kathy Macht moved that we have associate membership status for the Photography Club only at the fee of $5.00 per person per meeting. Kim seconded the motion. All were in favor.

Kim suggested buying mat cutting equipment for the guild. Our present equipment is not useable to due age. Mary Hughes will ask Russell Hughes to research the cost. Ken said that we would need a 40-60“ cutter. Stephanie said she recently purchased a matt cuter from Dick Blick for $350.00

Ken talked about the Augusta Art Guild’s Annual “Art in the Garden” and suggested ORVAG’s having an information booth with some guild member’s work for display or sale. Art in the Garden is the 1st Saturday in June. Call Marilyn Lustik by April 1st we are interested in a booth as described. Several of our members will have their own booths there and we could have information pamphlets at those booths instead.

Judy Pfeffer and Ken suggested we consider changing the locks to the Guild building since we have so many outstanding keys. They suggested that we go with a code pad as a lock. We will check the cost of the change.

Meeting adjourned at 5:50 Pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna Huber, Secretary

A Good Opportunity

Toby — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:26:04 +0000

We have a chance at a really good opportunity to open up another venue for potters and people who want to try their hand at something new and wonderful! The pottery studio has been given use of a really nice slab roller. It is on loan, and I think we can keep it as long as we care for it properly. Free! We also have the chance, at a very reasonable price to purchase a used, but top of the line, clay extruder. This will be great for anyone wanting to try some handbuilding sculptural work! Both machines are easy to use once you see how they work. And, no electrical parts! The slab roller is a done deal. My only suggestion is either we supply our own canvas as it is an expendable part of this. I was told the extruder had to be voted on by the board. I have no idea who the board is, other than I know Jo was appointed at the last meeting by Claudia, so I assume Claudia is on it too. Anyhow, if you know who ison the board and are interested, please tell them this is a good idea!

Would anyone know where the banding wheel is? I brought it up from the basement to use in the pottery “wing” as it was drier and warmer. My other tools are there, but the wheel has disappeared.

Toby — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:16:31 +0000

Kiln Issues

Toby — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 18:12:18 +0000

I just came back from the guild. For one thing, it is cold and the furnace seems to not be working again. The kiln front piece is back on, so it may be fixed. I did not plug it in to check until I hear from Jim. I did notice the trigger stays in place even without a cone. This won’t work, as nothing will cut the kiln off when it reaches temp. So do not use it yet, potters.