March 2009

From our Director

It’s hard to believe it’s already March, but look how much we’ve done so far!

We’re getting GREAT results with our new KAZ Gallery hours. I sold two pieces of art on a Friday evening in January and one piece of art on a Thursday afternoon in February. I can’t wait to see how well we do in March!

We have a new Public Relations team complete with a PR coordinator that is compiling an extensive list of more than 15 media contacts and growing that list every day. Add to that a professional photographer for publicity shots and marketing materials and a professional writer for our press releases. We’re already on a number of great calendars and web-links throughout Gwinnett and Atlanta. This will go a long way in getting us on the map.

As this newsletter goes to print, we now have two new sponsors so far this year! I am delighted to welcome Framing Artistry and even more impressed with the customized special discount program Missy Shepherd has created for each of our member artists. This information will be loaded onto our website. In the meantime, email me and I’ll send you the program if you don’t already have the details. You’ll want to take advantage of her expertise in Framing your art to get top dollar for your work. And in this day and age, who doesn’t love discounts?

Our second sponsor is the global hospitality concept developer, Schnallinger (see www.schnallinger.com). These subject matter experts are best known for the extraordinary brands they have help build around the world. I am proud and honored to have their support.

I am pleased to announce we now have six (6) workshops:

March 28 – Pictures in Wood-The Art of Marquetry Workshop by Jane Burke
April 4-5 – Unique Textural Surfaces Workshop by Lynn Weisbach
April 25 – Direct Painting in Watercolor Workshop by Gail Novak
May 4-5 – Composition, Create Better Paintings by Elsie Dresch
May 30 – Outdoor Sketching Workshop by Lucy Brady
September 14-18 – Watermedia Collage Workshop by Carrie Burns Brown

The details for each of these workshops and the ability to register for them is posted on our website. All you have to do is go to our on-line calendar at www.kudzuartzone.org and click on Events. Then view each month and click on the workshop that interests you. You can even register on-line with a credit card. There is limited space in each of these so if you have a favorite, be sure to register as soon as possible before they fill.

We have some wonderful presentations scheduled for our upcoming member meetings:

• March 23 – Gail Novak – Direct Painting Method in Watercolor

I’m in the process of confirming two renowned painters, Bill Davidson, landscape artist for April and Damon Carter, portrait and plein air painter for June.

Thank you again for your continued support. Of course, a special thank you for those of you who donated personally! Although these are tough times, I think we’re doing GREAT and am delighted to have the opportunity to serve as your Director.

As always, if you have any questions or there is any way I can be of assistance please don’t hesitate to call me 404-862-2355 or send me an email.

Yours truly,

Elsie Porter, Director

At the Gallery

EXPRESSION OF DIFFERENCE, the newest exhibit to open at the KAZ gallery, lives up to its title. The exhibit opens Friday, March 6 and continues until April 25. The judge for the exhibit is Margaret Dyer, internationally recognized pastel artist. She is a Master Pastelist with the Pastel Society of America and a featured artist in several magazines and books. She is also a self-publisher of 3 art books and currently exploring the oil medium.

Cynthia Corbin has once again created an eye catching E-postcard and poster for this exhibit. With easy instructions on the KAZ web site on how to send the E-postcard, you are encouraged to blast it off to family, friends and art enthusiasts. This simple task will help in the marketing of the exhibit and the Kudzu Art Zone organization. Also, if you have a web site, you may want to create a link to the E-postcard or KAZ web site (check out how Anne Labaire did it on her website).

The new Dominick’s restaurant entries have been hung and will remain at this location until May 1st. Paizano’s entries are to be submitted at the March 23 meeting and will hang until late May (date to be determined). At least 15-20 works are needed to make the Paizano’s venue look good and this venue can accommodate larger work, so keep that in mind as you plan to bring an entry.

New gallery recruits: Joyce English is in charge of coordinating the gallery hangings. Let her know if you would like to assist with the gallery hangings. Allison Miller will be entering the entry data for the various exhibit venues and printing the labels. Thank you both for your contribution.

Thanks,

Sandy Lacy, Gallery Chair

• Remember the Open Studio at Kudzu –

Tuesdays from 10 am to 3:30 pm. Diana Dice will be available for critique at 12 noon before we go to lunch (or you can bring your own lunch) and again at 3 pm. KAZ members attend for free; non-member are asked to pay a $5 fee per session (funds go to support Kudzu Art Zone). All levels are welcome. Call Diana Dice for further information.

New Exhibit...

Kudzu Art Zone is pleased to announce the opening of our new exhibit at the Norcross Cultural Arts and Community Center February 9 – May 4. We are presenting the work of three prominent artists in this show: Anne Gordon, Hellene Vermillion and Katrina Stone. Splendid paintings created on silk which produces beautiful, lush, rich colors. Others are creations in felt and fabric, plush, dimensional and luxuriant. These pieces can be viewed during any Lionheart Theatre production or during special meetings. I am pleased we were able to hang this exhibit prior to the annual Town Hall meeting where hundreds of locals attended to hear the Mayor speak!

Reminder

Since we’ve just taken down the Community Center show and the Gallery show we have over 25 pieces of art in the holding room. Please drop by at your convenience to pick up your art (Thursday 11-4, Friday 11-7 or Saturday 11-4).