Metal Arts Guild Board Meeting Minutes

MINUTES OF THE METAL ARTS GUILD BOARD MEETING
At the home of Carolyn Tillie, San Francisco
Tuesday, July 14, 2009

PRESENT: Alison Antelman (AA, Chair), Shabnam Bahmanian (SB), Cyndee Clearwater (CC), Rebecca Deans (RD), Ron Elson (RE), Ellis Gans (EG), Jennifer Cross Gans (JCG), Maureen Harvey (MH), emiko oye (EO). Guests: Meg Riley (MR) and Taiko Roskothen (TR) Caroline Tilli (CT). The meeting opened at 7 pm.

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

By-law amendments:
The Board defined student membership as "Anyone enrolled in a metalsmithing program leading to a credential such as a certificate, degree or diploma". A student ID is required.

Term limits:
These apply to the President only and do not include the Treasurer.

Other changes:
The By-laws will be dated, and the MAG address will be listed as the current address.JCG will send the new revised version to the Board, and to EO by the end of this week. EO will prepare hard copies to circulate with the new membership roster. JCG, EO

Fiscal policy:
There was discussion about the draft policy prepared by AA and CC, but limited discussion about the shorter version repared by JCG. AA's draft will be discussed at more length at the next Board meeting, particularly ways to match MAG's goals and objectives with current and future finances, and how to ensure checks and balances. Members are encouraged to submit their
own suggestions, and to review the minutes of the Board retreat in April. AA, ALL

Enamel Guild:
AA reminded the Board of that Guild's request for volunteer help at the upcoming conference in August.

Business Development Group:
Meg Riley (MR) outlined a proposal (with CT) to set up local networking groups to support members interested in marketing, shows, gallery contacts etc.and to facilitate information exchange. MR and CT might begin with a San Francisco group, which would hopefully spread to the wider Bay Area. The Board encouraged this proposal, suggesting it be placed under Programs, with publicity through E-news, the Guildletter, the website and on-line sources. Interested MAG members should be asked to RSVP.

Ballot:
The ballot for 2009-10 Board elections will be handled by SB at the summer picnic (July 25). EO will bring the ballot box, membership rosters, and By-laws. EO, SB

Board changes:
The following Board members are leaving their positions: SB (Hospitality), EG (Treasurer) and JCG (Secretary). JCG will remain on the Board as a member-at-large. The Board thanked and commended these members for their hard work and dedication. Taiko Roskothen (TR) was welcomed as a candidate for Hospitality, and her name will be on the next ballot.

San Francisco Museum of Craft and Design:
AA reported a conversation with museum staff about a proposal that MAG help sponsor one or more of three exhibitions starting July 23. AA felt this was not appropriate for us at this time, but EO is discussing a possible sponsorship in 2011 celebrating MAG's 60th anniversary and the museum's expansion to larger quarters downtown. EO

PROGRAMS:
MAGgrant
CC reported for the absent Suzanne Pugh: there were a record 25 applicants, thanks to EO's national outreach to schools, SNAGnet and Crafthaus, as well as higher prize money. JCG reported that the Art Jewelry Forum e-newsletter may include a story on the award plus one or more photos. JCG

Sarah Turner
She is the Dean at Cranbrook, and may offer MAG a program on her Fullbright research in the Netherlands. RD will confirm a possible date (Oct. 15). RD

Argentium video
A showing of Ronda Coryell's video will be discussed at the next meeting. AA, RC

WORKSHOPS:
MH announced a September 12/13 workshop with Business Arts Edge. She will arrange a venue, and welcomes suggestions from all Board members (by phone, not email!) She will give final details to CT , EO, CC and SH. MH, ALL

Deb Lozier workshop:
This will probably be next January. MH

Joan Dulla
This artist may be willing to do a 2 1/2 day workshop on her metal weaving techniques, possibly next March. MH will followup, work out details, including costs, about $45/hour, plus $65 for materials, the artist's plane fare from AZ, and hotel, unless hospitality can be arranged. CT indicated her willingness to offer this.     MH, CT

Larissa Dahroug
This artist is now working only in fiber, not a suitable workshop topic.

Peter Ostwald
MH is discussing a possible 2-day workshop on "Rescue and Reclamation" , for late August or early September. Costs are being discussed. MH will send details to AA, EO, CT, SH as soon as possible.    MH

Grant Writing
MH has no source for a presenter, however MR offered to check with the SF Foundation.   MR

EXHIBITIONS
Urban Renaissance
RE reported a recent meeting with CT and the ACCI gallery to discuss publicity. Given the high cost of national advertising, a better approach would be to get as much free publicity as possible in all available local and regional media (on-line, print, radio, TV). CT asked for Board members' suggestions. In addition ACCI is willing to print 5,000 free postcards for us.   ALL

After a discussion of using multiple pickup sites, RE recommended - and the Board agreed - that one site only be used. EO volunteered to collect the work at Revere Academy; this would need to be unpacked at ACCI well before the opening (Nov. 13). Given the difficulties of obtaining special insurance, RD suggested using professional couriers who are insured and used to handling artwork. CT Googled a list.   CT

RE outlined the volunteer help needed: move the work; open/photograph/log-in the work; move and set-up the cases; help staff the show. Still to be determined - whether participating artists should be required or merely encouraged to volunteer. Meanwhile, volunteering will be encouraged via the Guildletter, E-news, and website. RE is also compiling a list of volunteers. CC, EO, SH

CT offered to cater the opening reception: MH recommended a jazz flautist. EO knows a jeweler/ graffiti artist who might design an urban mural.     CT, MH, EO

Berkeley Art Center
The Center is open to working with MAG on a future show (two years from now). AA will invite the director, Suzanne Tan, to the Urban Ren. show.    AA

60th Anniversary
EO is working on a proposal for a big show at the Museum of Craft+Design. She has already recruited Suzanne Baizerman and Harriete Estel Berman as two jurors (the 3rd is still undetermined). Additional venues might also be sought, plus a possible separate Flikr account. Theme of EO's proposal is "Past, Present and Future", including MAG's permanent collection and work from older members ("Past"), juried work from today's MAG members ("Present") and students ("Future"). EO also suggested including oral histories (e.g. from Florence Resnikoff and merry renk). She noted that Jennifer Shaifer will share her current research findings with MAG. Shaifer also wants to see MAG's permanent collection.

MEMBERSHIP
EO reported we now have a membership of 200, plus 13 permanent members. She has sent out a postcard mailing about the upcoming summer picnic. The MakerFaire was a big success, winning MAG a ribbon. and 72 sign-ups for our e-mailing list. EO congratulated volunteers who gave three demonstrations, four hands- on workshops, and another 10 on MAG's booth.
Total cost was $645.44. She plans to repeat the Faire next year.

TREASURY
EG had previously emailed the Board with the current financials, which are overall very positive but are over budget, thanks to the database costs. He suggested finding two auditors to review his financial records before leaving his position: one of these auditors should be his successor.

LIBRARIAN
The check for the database consultant has been mailed, but not cashed. RD gave AA two copies of the contract for signature (one to go to EG). Next month, RD will put together a team of volunteers to input the information about our collection, which she projects will take at least two days. EO will publicize the need for help. EOSecurity - both for the library and MAG's collection - is still to be worked out.

HOSPITALITY
MAG's picnic will be on July 25 at David Casella's studio, the Box Shop in Hunter's Point. SB is collecting prizes for the drawing, including gift
certificates from Makens ($25) and Frei Borel ($50). CT donated a strand of pearls. MAG will donate a free membership. SB is still asking for additional prizes, which can be delivered on-site at the picnic. ALL SB strongly recommended the Board plans for bigger events, including venues and hospitality, between now and the 60th anniversary. AA will produce a blueprint for the year.   AA

PUBLICITY
CT reported we have 66 members on Facebook and 5 on Crafthaus. She is working on a list of on-line sources, and welcomed the Board's suggestions both for this and other local media outlets. ALL She will give her list to CC for the Guildletter.     CT, CCJCG suggested approaching Whitney Couch to speak to MAG members about Object Fetish.         MH

GUILDLETTER
CC reported she has more copy than she can use for each issue. The next Guildletter will be out on August 1.

WEBSITE
No report.

CASES
RE will remind Adam Clark to reserve MAG's cases for the Urban Renaissance exhibition.    RE, AC One case was loaned to a recent conference of the American Psychiatric Association for a small art show, which RE arranged. MAG was credited.

MEMBER SHOW
EO reported that her work, along with Christine Dhein's, will be shown at the African American Art and Culture Complex, starting July 23. She will send a note to CT for Facebook etc        EO, CT

MISCELLANEOUS
The rest of the agenda was held over till the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING
September 1, at the home of Rebecca Deans

The meeting adjourned at 9:40pm
JCG