November 2009
From the Council:
Hello Members... Landscaping at Kudzu...that seems to be the newest happening. The next time you come by our building, you will see no mailbox or holly bushes. Instead there are lovely new shrubs and flowering plants to brighten our front yard! Many thanks to Jeannie Fortin and her helpers for their work in this much-needed project. At our last meeting the Council discussed ideas for a new flyer and promotional card to better advertise our gallery and studio. Once printed (hopefully sometime in early January), these will be available to the members. You can keep a number with you at all times and give them out to anyone you know or meet who might be interested in KAZ. We will also have some on display in the gallery for our visitors when open to the public. Also, Rigsby Barnes and Sandy Lacy are busy designing a set of racks for the storage of paintings at our gallery before and after our shows. This will help keep things organized and protect members' work.
Lynn Weisbach's Textural Surfaces Workshop, October 17-18, was a great success. There was a small crowd, but those present learned a lot and enjoyed the time spent experimenting and expanding their creative vision. Lynn is a wonderful teacher and KAZ is wanting to “do it again” this coming spring...so stayed tuned and sign up for the next one. We continue to encourage all members to let us know your ideas for improving and growing our gallery. And any feedback is greatly appreciated.
Sincerely, MCKAZ
the Management Council at Kudzu Art Zone
Next Member Meeting
November 23rd is our next member meeting and we will have Chery Baird as our special guest. Chery did a meeting/demo for us last year and it was very well attended and informative. We are glad to have her again. She teaches at the Spruill Center for the Arts and is a talented collage artist and painter. You can learn more about her classes at: www.spruillarts.org
At the Gallery
KAZ gallery and other venues’ schedule-2009-2010
- FOOD FOR THOUGHT opening, Friday, November 6, 7-9 pm
- End of show, November 21 (Gallery not open Thanksgiving weekend)
- November 20, 21 & 23 – Submit entries for FIRE • WIND • WATER. Included will be entries for A WALL OF SMALL WORKS – entries no larger than 5 x 7 (with frame). The opening will be during the KAZ holiday party, December 6. This show continues to January 23, 2010. $10 entry fee.
- Paizanos’ Venue – Submit entries November 20, 21, & 23. $5 entry fee.
PROPOSALS FOR THE 2010 GALLERY SCHEDULE
Thank you to all the members who responded with feedback on the gallery proposals presented in the October newsletter. The majority of opinions expressed can be summed up with one member’s comment:
“I just returned from out-of-town and I am hearing discussion about having non-juried shows at the gallery. I think that this is a big mistake. In order for the gallery to have credibility in the community, I believe a certain level of quality must be maintained. This should be a goal for newer artists to work towards. There are many venues that are not juried available for these artists.
I am a fairly new artist myself, and I went through several years at the AAC where my work was not accepted for shows. When I finally started getting in to the shows, it was truly meaningful!
This past year, I decided to join Kudzu instead of the AAC for several reasons. I saw Kudzu as a professional art organization on the same level. I believe that having non-juried work in the gallery would change that impression for me and the community at large.”
To summarize, the majority of comments expressed that all exhibits should be juried and judged. Also, the idea for special member exhibits was interesting to most responders. This is where a proposal by KAZ members would be submitted to committee and, if selected, the group would handle all aspects of the exhibit.
The KAZ Management Council is working to establish gallery policies that will satisfy all members.
Thanks, Sandy Lacy
Gallery Chairperson
KAZ is aN ORGANIZATION OF VOLUNTEERS and WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Whether you enjoy things the way they are or would like to see things improved, now is YOUR time to step up and help to make it happen. We are all stretched, but if everyone adds a little the burden for some can be lighter.
WANTED: Exhibitors participating in the current show to gallery watch during open hours, Friday & Saturday, 11am -4pm. We are currently without a gallery volunteer coordinator, so a sign-up board has been hung near the kitchen and exhibitors are asked to choose a date.
WANTED: A Gallery Volunteer Coordinator, tasks include communicating (through email or telephone) with members who have signed up or to broadcast for volunteers when there is a need.
WANTED: Members to assist with hanging work in the gallery, Dominick's & Paizano's Restaurants and the Norcross Community Arts Cultural Center.
WANTED: Members to help coordinate the gallery activities from the calendar, entries in the Events calendar, hosting the openings, finding and communicating with judges, and marketing.
WANTED: Help in all areas of this organization!
Contact Sandy to respond.
Spring 2010 Workshop
Get ready for the Robert Burridge Painting Workshop - March 29 through April 2, 2010
Kudzu Art Zone is thrilled to be the site of a 5-day painting workshop by renowned artist Robert Burridge. We are still involved in finalizing the details on cost, so please stay connected to KAZ to learn more. We are expecting a large turn out for this event and want those of our membership who wish to attend to be able to sign up quickly to assure their space. As soon as we know more, we will have more detailed information in the January newsletter. So, if you are interested, mark your calendars now! To learn more about Robert Burridge, please visit his website: www.robertburridge.com