Presidents Letter

Greetings!

Im proud to announce the winners of the Elemental Art: Wind, Fire, Earth, and Water Exhibit at the Cape Coral Arts Studio:

1st Place - Marilyn Whittaker - Looking Out, Fiber 2nd Place - Alex Chung Gourd, Clay 3rd Place - Louis Ford Twisted, Metal Merit Award - Dale Eulitz - Tidal Wave, Glass Honorable Mention - Paul David Adamick - Bald Man Enjoys Bird Speaking Politics, Mixed Media Judges Choice Awards: Lorraine Capps - Wave of Enchantment, Glass Dee Cooper - South Pacific, Jewelry Belinda Dulcos - Au Nature, Jewelry Kathy Erickson Sunburst, Fiber Nancy Giffin - A Day at the Beach, Fiber

Congratulations to our winners! Thank you to ANGELA ARADIA for the fantastic graphic art work she created for the Exhibit!!

We will have a joint reception for the exhibit and the Fine Craft Expo on Friday, February 12 from 5 7 PM. Well need to

provide the food and libations, and we need to heavily promote the reception. Please invite everyone you know by any means

possible so that both the exhibit and the Expo are huge successes. The art work donated for the Expo raffle will be on display

that night as well as workshop examples for the Expo. Expo teachers will be in attendance as well as exhibiting artists. The

awards ceremony will be held at 6 PM. The Expo will be held on Saturday, February 13 from 9 AM 4 PM at CCAS. Thank

you to all of the Guild members who are working on this event! Remember, your attendance at the Expo will count as one

business meeting attendance. Please make sure you sign in with Kathy Erickson.

Our Slate of Officers for the 2016-2017 Season was announced at the January meeting. They are:

President: Nancy Gray-Giffin VP Committee: Francine Gerson, Toni Ory Treasurer: Edith Limbright Secretary: Lynn Ondercin Directors: Dee Cooper, Jim Sobel

We will vote on the Slate of Officers at our next meeting on Saturday, March 19, 2016.

The second Artists@Work event of the season will be held on Saturday, March 5 from 9 AM 1 PM at the Alliance for the Arts. There are one or two spots left for demo-ing artists, and one or two helper spots available, so let me know if you are interested in participating in this fun event. Im looking forward to seeing everyone on February 12 and 13! Warm Wishes, Lorraine

Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild Business Meeting

January 30, 2016

President Lorraine Capps called the meeting to order at 10:30am. She welcomed guests and new members to the meeting. Paul David Adamick and Mary Lou Berning, Eileen Laurels, and Shannon Vickers. The minutes from the previous meeting were approved unanimously. Treasurers Report Dee Cooper distributed the Treasurers Report. We have $ 4836.35 in our account. We received a $1,000 donation from an anonymous donor. This infusion is greatly appreciated and will help to continue giving our summer camp scholarships at CCAS, the Alliance, and Big Arts, also our college and high school scholarships. New Slate of Officers: President: Nancy Gray-Giffin VP Committee: Francine Gerson, Toni Ory Treasurer: Edith Limbright Secretary: Lynn Ondercin Directors: Dee Cooper, Jim Sobel Voting will take place at the next Business meeting, on March 19th. Membership update Kathy Erickson reported that our numbers are in limbo at the moment. She continues to attempt to contact 15 20 members to find out if they are continuing their memberships. Art Council update The next Co-op Gallery receiving is Monday, February 1st from 10am 1pm. Six items are allowed per person, 3 of which can be wall pieces. The monthly reception will be held on Thursday, Feb. 4th from 4 to 6pm. All members are eligible to participate in the Gallery. Fine Craft Expo The Expo will be held on Saturday, Feb. 13th at the Cape Coral Arts Studio. We need as many donated pieces as possible for the raffle. You can bring them to the event or the gallery show the night before. The reception on Friday evening, February 12th will kick-off the event. You can still sign up for workshops the morning of the Expo by calling CCAS. We are still trying to find new people to take these workshops and not just guild people, so try to bring a friend. Volunteer needed to pick up ribbons from Freds Awards in Ft. Myers. John Cowgill volunteered. Elemental Art: Wind, Fire, Earth and Water at Cape Coral Art Studio Run of the exhibit: Feb 5th to the 25th, 2016 Receiving: Monday Feb 1st, 2016 Reception: Friday, Feb 12th, 2016 from 5pm to 7pm (Joint reception with Fine Craft Expo) Removal: Friday, Feb 26th, 2016 9am to 3pm Webmaster was needed so that Nancy doesnt have to run the website while being President. Teri Chan volunteered to take over that position. There will be a Peer Review at the March Business Meeting. Two artists are already signed up and we can take three. Its a simple process and benefits the artists who are doing it. There will be a limit of 3 artists bringing 3 pieces. Great for artists starting a new medium or for established artists to get a fresh perspective. How we do it is have the artists set up their displays, and then after the meeting adjourns, members are invited to stay and enjoy the displays and dialogue with the artists. It is a very positive experience. Respectfully submitted: Lynn Ondercin, Secretary.

FEBRUARY 2016

2015-2016 SWFFCG Business Meeting Dates:

All meetings will be held at 10:00 AM At the Alliance for the Arts:

10091 McGregor Blvd. Ft. Myers, FL 33919

Saturday, September 19, 2015 Saturday, October 24, 2015

Saturday, November 21, 2015 Saturday, December 19, 2015 Saturday, January 30, 2016

NO MEETING IN FEBRUARY DUE TO THE FINE CRAFT EXPO AT CCAS ON 2/13/16

Saturday, March 19, 2016 Saturday, April 16, 2016

FEBRUARY 2016

1 Receiving for Elemental Art-CCAS-9AM-12PM Receiving at Co-op Gallery-- 10AM-1PM Art Council Spring Show Receiving-SBDAC10AM-4PM

2 3 4 Reception at Co-op Gallery-- 4-6PM

5 Art Council Spring Show Reception-SBDAC--6-10PM

6

7

8

9 Art Council MeetingSanibel Library9:30AM

10

11

12 Reception for Fine Craft Expo and Elemental Art-5-7PM

13 Fine Craft ExpoCCAS9AM-4PM

14 15 16 17 18 19

20 SWFFCG Board MtgCCAS10:30AM

21 22 23 24 25 26 Removal for Elemental Art- CCAS-9AM-3PM

27

28 29

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

MARCH 2016

SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

1 Angela Aradia-Reception at Harborview Gallery from 5-7PM

2 3 4

5 Artists@Work-Alliance for the Arts9am-1pm

6 7 Receiving at Co-op Gallery-- 10AM-1PM

8 9 Art Council MeetingAlliance of the Arts9:30AM

10 Reception at Co-op Gallery-- 4-6PM

11 12 SWFFCG Board Mtg.CCAS10:30AM

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 SWFFCG Business Mtg.@Alliance for the Arts-10:00AM- Voting for New Board Members Peer Review

20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 31

Congratulations to the winners of the SWFFCGs Elemental Art exhibit at CCAS. They are: 1st Place - Marilyn Whittaker - Looking Out, Fiber 2nd Place - Alex Chung Gourd, Clay 3rd Place - Louis Ford Twisted, Metal Merit Award - Dale Eulitz - Tidal Wave, Glass Honorable Mention - Paul David Adamick - Bald Man Enjoys Bird Speaking Politics, Mixed Media Judges Choice Awards: Lorraine Capps - Wave of Enchantment, Glass Dee Cooper - South Pacific, Jewelry Belinda Duclos - Au Nature, Jewelry Kathy Erickson Sunburst, Fiber Nancy Giffin - A Day at the Beach, Fiber Angela Aradia will be the featured artist at the Harborview Gallery in Cape Coral for the month of March. Reception Tuesday, March 1, 5-7pm. Kathryn Erickson was awarded a Merit Award for her basket Trees Have Soul and it can be viewed at the Art Center Sarasota, during their Visually Speaking exhibit from January 28 thru March 5. Francine Gerson is the February artist of the month at the West Elm on Fashion Drive at Coconut Point. A reception was held for her on Feb. 4, 6-8PM. Francine also has glass stands for sale: call her at 239-495-6477 or glassbyfrancine@gmail.com for more information. Sherry Moesch has an Inland SwapTop Lap Machine with Table Saw Swap Top for sale. Works great, just upgraded to the Covington model. If you are interested call her at: 802-377-0377 (cell). Sherrys jewelry and fused glass are on sale at the Island Conclave Art Gallery on Pine Island. Sue Housler is the new tile artist at the Hirdie Girdie Gallery on Sanibel. The reception for her is February 11 from 4:30-6:30pm. Jay Lana was selected as one of the three nominees for the prestigious award, 2016 Gulfshore Life Emerging Arts Leader. The winner will be announced at the Naples Art Associations For The Love of Art event February 13, 6pm. Good luck Jay!! Toni Ory has a Tommy Bahama style queen sized sofa bed for sale. If you are interested please contact her for photos at toni@toniory.com. Bobbie Robertsons knee surgery went well and she expects to me back on the dance floor soon!! Trudy Sampson was highlighted in the Tropicana section of the Newspress in January for her guided walks on Bunche Beach. She is a Master Naturalist and teaches about natural ecology and beach critters on Mondays at Bunche Beach. For more info you can go to the following link: http://www.news-press.com/story/life/outdoors/2016/01/09/bunche-beach-walk-wild-side/76796462/. Jim Sobel has a Skutt Kiln Model KM -1227-3, 240V/phase 1, cone 10, 9.9 cu. ft. chamber for sale. For more information he can be contacted at: 239-242-2422.

Nancy VanTassell will be the featured artist at the Erlenbach Modern Art Gallery and Studio in Englewood, FL from January 31 thru February 13. A reception for her was held on January 31. Dale Weber has been selected to participate in the Fifth Annual Studio Tour on Feb. 27th from 11am to 4pm. Contact the Alliance for the Arts for tickets. SWFFCG members and friends of Green Hinge Studio are always free. Dales mixed media exhibit, Re-Visions, will be on display in the Founders Gallery at Big Arts from March 2-26. Reception is March 4 at 5:30pm.

Marilyn Whittakers beaded silk and fabric purses are on sale in the Alliance for the Arts gift shop.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS:

Mary Lou Berning, (Jewelry), 9131 Southmont Cove #104, Ft

Myers, FL 33908,(513)753-8007, mlberning68@gmail.com.

Summer: 3633 South Hopper Ridge, Cincinnati, Ohio, 45255

Mary Jollet, (Mixed Media), 1120 Salina Ct., Punta Gorda, FL,

33950; 941-769-6549-cell, 941-639-8829,

mkjollet@gmail.com.

Shannon Vickers, (Glass), 1401 SW 8th Court, Cape Coral, FL

33905, 239-694-6926, savickers@comcast.net.

MEMBERSHIP UPDATE:

We are in the process of contacting by phone those members, who have not paid their 2016 dues which needed to be paid by ALL MEMBERS in January, 2016. Right now we have a total of 122 members as of January 31, 2016. Remember that dues are paid on a yearly basis and are paid by January of the year, not the month when you joined. Dues are $35 for an individual, and $50 for a family. Yearbooks and membership cards are available at the sign in desk. We do not mail these. Entry into exhibits sometimes require attendance at one or two meetings. Your proof of attendance is your initialing on the attendance sheet at each meeting. Remember to sign! Remember to notify Kathy Erickson, kathye1745@exede.net, if any of your contact information changes. She is already making corrections for next year.

IN MEMORIAM Lorraine Capps Mother passed away January 30th. We wish her and her family our deepest condolences.

CO-OP ART GALLERY UPDATE:

March Receiving is Monday, March 7, from 10 AM 1 PM. The Receiving process must be completed by 1 PM. In order not to be rushed, please arrive at least by noon. Participating artists are allowed a total of six pieces in March, three of which may be wall pieces. Remember, Receiving is always on the first Monday of the month. The Gallery will be open six days a week (Tuesday Sunday) during season from 12 Noon 6 PM, which are the hours every day the Gallery is open. The March reception will be held on Thursday, March 10 from 4-6 PM. Participating artists are encouraged to help advertise the receptions and invite friends and family. The cost to participate is $25 per month, and the Gallery keeps 30% of sales. You must sit the gallery one day per month. The Gallery sitting schedule can be found on the Art Councils web site. If you must change your sitting date, it is your responsibility to find a replacement AND you must email Ginny Whiteman at ginny@whiteman.net AFTER you have found a replacement. Ginny must have updated information regarding the sitting schedule. There is a list of people at the front desk who are willing to sit for a price of $50. For the latest information on the Gallery, you may consult the Gallery Prospectus and Art Council newsletters for details. Both can be downloaded from their web site: www.acswf.org. If you havent been to the Gallery, please stop in the next time you are at Coconut Point. It is next door to Panera Bread. All Guild members are eligible to participate in the Gallery. CCAS GUILD CASE:

The Guilds display case is located in Building 2 of CCAS. CCAS retains 30% of the sales, so work should be priced accordingly. New members and members who have never shown in the case before should take advantage of this opportunity. Contact Alex Chung at alexchung 20032003@yahoo.com to reserve your spot. February 2016: Fine Craft Expo March 2016: Kelly Williamson April 2016 May 2016 June 2016 July 2016 August 2016

ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS: Many opportunities exist at the Alliance for both members and non-members. The Alliance offers many membership benefits and Guild members receive a $5 discount! Check their web site for further information: www.artinlee.org, or call 239-939-2787. ART COUNCIL OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA: There are many exhibits open to Art Council members throughout the year. More information can be found in the Art Council Newsletters and on their website.

BIG ARTS: Journeys, is Big Arts March 30 thru April 23, 2016. Online submission is Feb. 2, 1pm to Feb. 19, 12pm. Artists reception and awards is April 1 from 5-7pm. DASS Co-op Art Gallery and Gift Shop in Ft Myers, is looking for artist s to take a membership in their Gallery. You can contact them at: (239) 980-1394 SWFFCG Upcoming Exhibit: GUILD OCTOBER EXHIBIT AT THE VAC IN PUNTA GORDA: (Theme to be determined) Run of exhibit: October 1-26, 2016 Receiving: September 30, 2016 Reception: October 6, 2016

The Guild is a small, all volunteer organization, and it is vital that all members volunteer in some way. We are extremely flexible and will work with you to ensure that we consider your schedule and other needs. You must volunteer in order to participate in Guild art exhibits. If you volunteer for a one-day event, such as Receiving at an exhibit, or Artists@Work, you will be able to participate in one exhibit. If you volunteer for two one-day events, you will be able to participate in two exhibits, and so forth. However, if you volunteer for an on-going position or job such as officer, director, committee chair, committee member, etc., you will be able to enter all Guild exhibits during your tenure. Advertising Committee: John Hampton is heading up our Advertising Committee, and Teri Chan is a committee member, but they can still use help. This function is more important now than ever since our Treasury is in need of replenishment after a busy Scholarship season! If youd like to help them out, please contact John at madfish1a@att.net. Art Council Delegate: The Art Council Delegate goes to most Art Council meetings (November through April), and reports to the membership all Art Council and Co-op Gallery news and developments. The Delegate also collects information for the Art Councils biennial Winners Circle Exhibit, presents it to the Board for approval, and provides that information to the Art Council. Recruiting Committee: We are in need of a Chair and committee members. This too is more important than ever because we have a new meeting place at the Alliance for the Arts which will allow us the space to continue to grow our membership. Please contact Dave Sampson at davesamp@comcast.net to

discuss volunteer needs and assignments.

NEW MEMBERS' LUNCHEON: If you joined the Guild after our 2015 luncheon last April, you will be invited to this year's New Member Luncheon on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at 12 Noon at Trudy and Dave Sampson's home in Ft. Myers. The Board of Directors hosts the luncheon every year so that new members can get to know the Guild's leadership and ask any questions they may have.

SPONSORS NEEDED! We've had a very successful summer season of giving to kids' arts camps

at the Alliance, CCAS, and BIG ARTS; however, it has left our Treasury depleted. We all need work to find advertisers and sponsors for the Guild

so that we can fund our scholarship program for the upcoming season. One way that would help is to find sponsors for our exhibits. Costs for our exhibits vary with the venue, and the cost for our CCAS exhibit will be

$1,500. We will heavily promote our sponsor(s) on our web site, in our newsletters, on social media, as well as in print in our publications and

publicity. We are a 501(c) (3) charitable organization, so the sponsorship would be tax deductible. Proceeds will be used to fund our scholarship program with art awards at FSW, FGCU, and Cypress Lake High School,

as well as summer art camps for kids at CCAS, the Alliance, and BIG Arts. Sponsorship brochures are available for download on our web

site: www.swflfinecraftguild.org. Please approach any businesses that you are familiar with and ask for their sponsorship.