Borderland Arts Monthly Meeting – June 7, 2018 – Dickinson County Library
Attendees: Melisse Carr, Elizabeth Early, Jeff Gurchinoff, Christine Kionka, Kathy Kuczek, Jane Landwehr, Barbara Marden, Cyndi Safstrom, Audrey Smith, Darlene Strand, Terry O’Connor, Carol Zechlin
Meeting was called to order at 6:05.
Treasurers report was given. Current account balance is $2,196.02. Jeff mentioned to the group that we received the $250 grant money we applied for from DACF.
Minutes from May meeting were read and approved.
Old business:
Jeff shared that Borderland Arts had a very successful showing at Blue Mystique in Manistique. The weather held and several members sold some items. The display looked great with the new easels. Elizabeth Douglas has found a 20 x 20 tent for ongoing use by Borderland Arts. She will be storing it for now at her Manistique location. She would like to have us for another show in Manistique.
Jeff updated the group on the Power of Words project. The Iron Mountain murals are working pretty well with existing volunteers. Some student volunteers will be available now that school is over.
A signup sheet was distributed to members for participation in Art for All coming up on June 23. Melisse Carr, Jeff Gurchinoff, Jane Landwehr, Barb Marden and Darlene Strand expect to have works in the show. Melisse, Jeff, Jane, Barb, Cyndi and Darlene are available to volunteer during the day of the show. Jeff still needs to get the specifics on when art can be dropped off and picked up. Once he has that, he will post on Facebook.
Jeff also provided an update on the Iron Mountain Children’s Museum/Community Center project. Committee members are currently looking at available buildings in town. Some candidates are Downtown Plaza, Superior Carpet and Tile, the Iron Mountain US Post Office, and a bowling alley behind Shopko. The committee will also be visiting other area Children’s Museums to gather information on the process and get ideas for our museum.
New business:
Darlene called members’ attention to the maiden voyage of Marquette Poet’s Circle & Iron Mountain Book Launch. The Poet’s Circle will be presenting a reading at Fornetti Hall, Bay College West from 3-4:30 pm on June 14. Genean and Stella, who participated in some earlier Borderland Arts meetings with us will both be there.
Jane shared information about the Art Prize event in Grand Rapids. They will also be taking the art to display on Mackinac Island, so anyone who enters will be provided with good exposure. You would need to register online by 6/7 but all you have to do is tell them about what you are entering.
Carol Zechlin was interested in learning about different ways to finish art for display, particularly watercolor pieces. It was suggested that we invite Karen formerly from Frame U.P. to come and talk to the group. We may do that at some point, but in the meantime, it was decided that our July meeting would be a show and tell and members could perhaps bring pieces that are finished in different ways to give Carol some ideas.
At our August meeting, it was suggested that members bring seldom used art materials or anything else they don’t want that they think other members might be interested in.
It was also suggested that a future meeting event could be engaging a professional photographer to photograph selected artwork so members would have a professional image to use for exhibit submissions, etc. CJs and Bakers will also digitally reproduce work.
Chris Kionka brought some of her collages and her Zentangle samples to show the group. At that point, the group proceeded to the Zentangle activity portion of the evening.
Submitted by Barb Marden