International Society of Acrylic Painters

This has been a complex year for ISAP in that we have had several board resignations including a big turnover in Membership directors. Yet, ISAP has continued a path of growth and expansion. In addition to continuing as Treasurer, I volunteered to become Interim President in June, thinking that members would step forward to volunteer to fill the vacancies on the Board after it was posted in the last newsletter. But, what to do when no one volunteers? Not one to wait around or jump into things last minute, I proceeded like I was working on a painting....taking a step and seeing where that led me. Board members have been very supportive and answered calls and emails for advice and backup. As a result, we are now a California non profit corporation and have planned the 2008 year.

As treasurer, I knew where we spent most of our budget and also had ideas where we could save on some of these expenses and better serve our members. My primary goal has been to take us into an email and web based entity for newsletters and all other communications. We will no longer be using stamps and paper documents for our activities. This means that members have to be willing to list their email with us, perhaps signup for an email in their local library for the first time, and to be responsible to check the web site at least once a month. Once we have your email, we can send information directly to your mailbox. Since it takes time to do bulk emails, sometimes there will be notices only on the web site UNLESS someone volunteers to do the bulk emailing, hint!
Everything will be on the web site: current show listing with prospectus, dues/membership forms, newsletters (past and present), including a list of board positions open. You will be able to download these and print them at home, in the library, or other computer service organization. Because no one stepped forward to be Exhibition director, I'm wearing that hat as well. But several California members have stepped forward to serve as committee heads and you'll see their names on the prospectus for 2008 International Show. Please welcome Sandra Woods, ON-LINE Exhibition Director, (Mar 31, ‘08 deadline); Jean Lukens, Slide Chairman; Caroline Parrish, Membership Chairman; Gloria Lee, Workshop Chairman; Sandy Maderis, Signature Membership Chairman; Laurie Longenecker, Catalog Chairman. We expect the catalog will be in color, or we will show you the award winners in color with the rest of the catalog in black and white. The show will also be available on the web site in color. My grateful thanks to Kate Burridge, 2007 Exhibition Director, who has left thorough guidelines to follow for this year. Please see the article on the 2008 show and workshop information, and remember, you must have current 2008 dues paid to participate. 2008 will also mark our first entry into online shows. There will be at least two: one for signature members in the Spring, due March 31, for a June Show; a Fall Invitational for those members who have not yet attained Signature status and did not get into the 2008 International Show, due July 18 for a September Show. There will be an entry fee and juried awards for both and all information for these shows will be on the website in January of 2008. We are also planning an online OPEN International show for 2009 inviting any acrylic painter to participate. Now you must all learn how to take your digital images and get them ready to send to our web master/Online Director via email or send a disk (Directions will be posted on the website for these shows). Just think, a show where you will not have to frame and ship your artwork, but it will be visible to a larger audience than perhaps the International Show! Please note that the Board is considering using digital entries only by the 2010 show, possibly for the 2009 show. Do consider participating in the online shows for this will give you practice preparing your digital images. Comments invited.

So, members, the International Show will be in Santa Cruz, CA, the prospectus is finished and will be on the web site for downloading, ads have been placed in the art magazines, awards are being gathered, the juror is waiting for the slides, the workshop is awaiting your enrollment…..now, you need to get those paintings painted and ready for the entry process!

Happy Holidays and a great 2008! Volunteer some of your time and expertise and come join the Board!