February, 2014 - Richard W. Christian II, President

Despite the mind numbing and cocoon inducing cold of this grueling winter, our volunteer committees and Board of Directors have, not surprisingly, been working tirelessly counter to any expectations of seasonal inertia (doubtless in an effort to stay warm!)

In addition to the impressive amount and quality of independent shows from our membership, and following the end of last year’s meeting between the Boards of Directors and Trustees to discuss fundraising strategically, we have seen the very successful drop off and jurying of work for consideration for our upcoming Spring Show to be held at Buffalo Arts Studio, deftly managed by Vice President of Exhibitions, Mark Lavatelli and his Exhibition Committee (a special thank you to BAS Artistic Director Cori Wolff for opening up that space to allow us to do so), and Patti Harris and her Membership Committee’s well organized, entertaining and informative meet and greet of our new Exhibiting Members at the Western New York Artists Group Gallery. I would also like to thank Gary Wolfe for running the AV for that presentation with his usual efficiency! I want to personally welcome all of our new members—your work is extraordinary and you are a very welcome addition to our organization! A thank you should also be extended to Don Siuta and the volunteer members of WNYAG in helping facilitate that wonderful evening. It is germane to mention here that the Board has voted to allow all Associate Members the opportunity to achieve Exhibiting Member status with acceptances to three juried shows in three years time, now with full access to applying to both our Spring Show and our Fall Catalogue Exhibition. Those Associate Members who have already been juried into one or two shows according to the old system will be grandfathered into the new process so as to not put them at a disadvantage. I would be remiss if I did not continue to thank our Publicity Chair, Paul Rybarczyk for the tremendous work he has done and continues to do in keeping us apprised of upcoming shows, maintaining our Facebook page and of course as Editor in Chief of this newsletter.

We are looking forward to another great year; an impressive array of work for what promises to be an equally impressive Spring Show, a second summer participation with City of Night, our Open Members Show, and a third year of collaboration with the Frank Lloyd Wright Fontana Boathouse in their juried fundraiser auction. I also hope to reinstitute the summer picnic tradition that we had enjoyed some time ago, where we can enjoy each other’s company in a less official capacity separate from the gallery setting. We will complete our summer (and for some reason I find myself dwelling on the thought of warmer times to come) with our second Eye Candy silent auction to benefit the Artist Portrait Series production of our Video Archive Project to facilitate the continued extraordinary work of Beth Pedersen and all of those involved with that project (details of which will be presented by her later in this newsletter.) We also have our raffle for the Fall Foliage ride in a vintage airplane.The Board Members and Trustees have been given tickets to sell for this; if you are interested in purchasing tickets, or would like further information, please contact Stephen Houseknecht at shouseknecht@mac.com. Rounding out our year will of course be our Catalogue Exhibition and Annual Meeting and Dinner. We have also begun planning events and exhibitions for our 125th year in 2016, including a long running personal favorite of mine: the revival of our Beaux Arts Ball (celebrated by the BSA in the early 1920’s.) This committee is to be chaired by Board Member Steve Siegel, and will include some members of our present Board who will continue planning this and our various shows and other events for that year.

Richard W. Christian II