September 16, 2021

Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors

General Membership Meeting

Belle Isle, Detroit 

I. The meeting was called to order at 10:25 am by Recording Secretary Lori Zurvalec standing in for President Joya Rush-Keli.

II. Minutes: Membership meeting minutes are available on the website under the Members Only link, consequently, in the interest of time, the reading of the minutes of the prior two membership meetings was waived. Linda Allen moved that the October 15, 2020 membership meeting minutes be accepted and filed as submitted, seconded by Janet Kondziela, motion carried. Susan Munro moved that the April 15, 2021 membership meeting minutes be accepted and filed as submitted, seconded by Carol LaChiusa Disanto, motion carried.

III. President’s Report: On behalf of President Joya Rush-Keli, Lori Zurvalec welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the 2021-2022 DSWPS year.

IV. Treasurer’s Report:  Jan Ducsay submitted a written report as follows: Beginning checking account balance as of June 1, 2021 was $10,226.60. The ending balance as of September 14, 2021 is $13,042.89.  The checking account is really two funds and should be viewed as:

Operating Fund Balance $11,376.89

Memorial Fund Balance $1,666.00 (This fund will be used for Honorable Mention awards until exhausted. First, Second, and Third prize money is funded by entry fees)

A motion to accept and file the treasurer’s report was made by Linda Allen, seconded by Lori Zurvalec. Motion carried

Jan Ducsay noted in her report that 2021-2022 membership dues receipts as of Sept 14, 2021 were $4,191.00. In comparison, dues receipts in prior years were:

2020-2021   $4334.03

2019-2020   $4656.00

2018-2019   $4830.00

The final tally of expenses and income for the Here Comes the Sun exhibition ended in a balance to DSWPS of $9.48, a result in keeping with the budget goal of exhibitions being self-funding.

V. Program: No report.

We look forward to a time without Covid-19 limitations, but the Delta Variant has complicated the return to normal. There was discussion about future programs. Do you want to meet in person or over Zoom during the 2021-22 year? What type of venue do members feel comfortable meeting in? A poll was taken with 15 out of 19 members present voting for in-person meetings, however, concern was expressed by some that those venues would need to be large, well-ventilated rooms and that social distancing would need to be possible.

VI. Exhibitions: Susan Munro, 2nd Vice President – Exhibitions, reported that there were two DSWPS juried exhibitions in 2021, Resilience at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery and Here Comes the Sun at the Anton Art Center. Both were well-received. Plans are under way for exhibitions at both those venues for 2023. Because of Covid-19 restrictions, finding gallery space for 2022 has been a challenge. Susan said she needed all of our help and passed around a notebook so members could write down recommendations.

She stated that entry fees are $30, but we will need more artists entering so that we can maintain the fee at $30 and continue to keep the exhibitions self-sustaining.

Susan proposed a non-juried show open to all members where each member would submit one work of their choice. The work should be for sale, with DSWPS taking no commission for sales. The awards would be Viewer’s Choice, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd or, Members’ Choice, 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Providing that we get enough entries, awards would be the usual $300 for 1st, $200 for 2nd, and $100 for third. There would be no honorable mentions for this proposed show. However, we need a venue for this show to make it happen in the Fall-Winter of 2021.

Patricia Tucker indicated that she runs the Bridge Gallery on Parkhurst near Palmer Park which could be a possible exhibition venue.

VII. Membership & Directory: Kimberly Santini submitted a written report. There are currently 125 members. New members since this spring include:

Suzanne Allen, Patricia Baker, Joan Britton, Donna Curran, Ellen Kennary Doyle, Susan Eatman, Daria Fileta, Marcia Guetschaw, Tudi Harwood, Lois Primeau, Margaret Reese, Barbara Smith-Gibson, Lizzy Wilson, Sharlene Welton, Carol Jackson and Jes Reynolds.

New member Margaret Reese was present and was heartily welcomed. Margaret works in oil on stretched canvas, focusing on landscape and figure.

New directories will be mailed out next week.

VIII. Communications Secretary: No report.

Amanda Koss will be sending out newsletters this year. If you have art news about shows you are in, or upcoming shows we can all enter, or awards and honors you have received, please email the information to Amanda by the 19th of the month. amandakossart@gmail.com

Amanda Koss is using Mailchimp to communicate with members for the newsletter and other announcements. Make certain that you have dswps@gmail.com in your address book so that emails don’t end up in your Spam folder.

IX. Parliamentarian: No report

X. Historian: No report.

XI. Webmaster: No report. Please visit www.DSWPS.org. Webmaster Katy McNamee has created a beautiful website.

XII. Standing Committees

Nominations: No report. At the moment, all positions are filled, however, 1st Vice President -Program Maria D’Agostini has begun a new job that will preclude her from attending day meetings. She will need help with programs. If you are interested, contact Joya Rush-Keli.

Social/Memorial: No report

Scholarship: No report.

Theresa Moore has agreed to be Scholarship Committee Chair. Scholarship was discussed at length at the Executive Board Retreat last week. Theresa will take the scholarship application process online and expand it to include accredited arts program in colleges in the metro Detroit area. The Board acknowledged the great job that Theresa has done to update this important aspect of DSWPS’s support of women artists.

XIII. Old Business:

Advocates: Joya Rush-Keli began the Advocates program so members could sign up to help as needed, where needed. Please contact her if you are interested.

Empowering Women Artists: EWA is our collaborative programming effort with the Women’s Caucus for the Arts, Michigan Chapter, and the Huron River Art Collective in Ann Arbor. We will be having a Zoom discussion on Resistance to Diversity on Tuesday, October 12, 2021.

XIV. New Business: None

XV. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 am followed by a presentation by Theresa Lannen, painter and sculptor.

Program Notes

Theresa Lannen has been sculpting in clay and stone for 20 years. She does her sculpting out of doors in the summer because it is a messy process. Sculpting requires the use of both sides of the brain. She finds carving easier than painting, she can get in the zone sculpting. She uses diamond dust/carbide tools such as grinders, Dremel tools, files and chisels. She studied sculpture at CCS in their continuing education program and also at the International Carving Studio of Vermont. She explained the differences between alabaster (soft) and marble (hard) and the concept of inclusions in the stone. Theresa Lannen demonstrated the use of several tools on a block of sandstone, making Belle Isle the perfect venue for this program. For more information, contact Theresa at www.LannenArt.com

 Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec

Recording Secretary

 Next Membership meeting date and venue TBD

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May 20, 2021

Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors

Minutes of the Annual Meeting – May 20, 2021

Outdoor Shelter 8W on Belle Isle, Detroit

Meeting called to order by Joya Rush-Keli, President, at 11:21 am, with the statement, “We are together with naked faces for the first time in 2021!” DSWPS has survived two pandemics; it will remain alive and vibrant.

Minutes of the 2020 Annual Meeting: Reading of the minutes of the 2020 Annual Meeting held on September 17, 2020 at Outdoor Shelter 8E on Belle Isle, Detroit, was waived. Joan Smykowski moved that the minutes, available on the DSWPS website, be accepted as submitted, seconded by Carol LaChiusa DiSanto, motion approved.

Annual Report of the Recording Secretary: Lori Zurvalec reported on member attendance at 2020-2021 general membership meetings, average attendance being 24. Motion to accept by Katy McNamee, seconded by Joya Rush-Keli

Annual Report of the Corresponding Secretary: No report. Amanda Koss has just begun serving in this position. DSWPS has begun sending communications using Mailchimp. If you have not been receiving these emails, check your spam folder. Thank you to Amanda for taking on the post and producing a newsletter for May.

Annual Report of the Treasurer: Jan Ducsay reported that the end of the DSWPS fiscal year being May 31, she will be issuing the Treasurer’s Annual Report for 2020-21 after that date. She submitted an interim report for April 15 – May 2021: the checking account balance as of May 20, 2021 is $8,111.00 in the Operating Fund; $1734.00 in the Memorial Fund, for a total of $9845.00. The balance is high because expenses were reduced by the pandemic restrictions. DSWPS is very healthy right now but expenses will pick up as life normalizes.

Motion to accept the interim report by Kathleen McNamee; seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Annual Reports of the Standing Committees:

Exhibition: Report presented by Susan Munro: The DSWPS Resilience exhibition at the Ellen Kayrod Gallery at Hannan Center held Dec 2020 – Jan 2021 was well-received and established an alliance with Richard Reeves, Director of Arts & Culture at Hannan Center. Preparations are being made for the Here Comes the Sun exhibition at the Anton Art Center this summer. DSWPS is well regarded and often praised by the organizations Susan Munro has dealt with as Second Vice President - Exhibitions chair.

Motion to accept by Joya Rush-Keli, seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Membership: Report read by Lori Zurvalec for Kimberly Santini. Year-end membership 127. Directories were mailed to members in September 2020. Kimberly Santini established a Mailchimp account for DSWPS and held a training session for the Executive Board on its use. Renewal deadline for inclusion in the Directory is May 31 with a grace period until June 30. Recent new members Theresa Moore and Pat Tucker were welcomed. Motion to accept by Roselyn Rhodes, seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Nominations: Immediate Past President and Nominations Committee Chair Joan Smykowski presented a slate for the election of officers. She observed that she had passed the reins to Joya Rush-Keli at the prior annual meeting. She thanked all who took her calls when she telephoned them looking for volunteers. Joya Rush-Keli has agreed to stay on for a second term as President. Joya will complete her first term in 2022, her second term will end in 2024.

Publicity: No report

Program: Maria D’Agostini reported that plans are being made for members to attend the Immersive Van Gogh exhibit in Detroit as a group on January 13, 2022 at 10:00 am. Members will be purchasing their own tickets. She hopes to arrange a fall meeting at Pewabic Pottery. The membership applauded Maria D’Agostini for taking on this leadership position when she had only become a member within the past year.

Scholarship: No report. Carol LaChiusa DiSanto’s work on the scholarship awarded in the fall of 2020 was acknowledged with gratitude. For discussion on possible changes to the program, see Scholarships under New Business.

Finance: No report

By-laws and Policy: No report. Kathleen O’Connell will not continue as Parliamentarian because of health issues. Much gratitude and many thanks to Kathleen for all the work she has done on updating the DSWPS Constitution and By-laws over the years.

Social: Roselyn Rhodes reported that because of Covid-19, Social responsibilities have been limited and plans derailed. It is hoped that provisions can be made for Social in the budget that will be prepared in the fall when it may be possible to make plans again.

Memorials: Report given by Jean Thomas.

Members deceased May 2019-September 2020:

Barbara Cuthbert

Olga Pawlowski

Jacquelyn Fleming

Dee Trainor

Alice Allhoff

Member deceased in 2021

Patricia Izzo

Jan Ducsay reported that she sent a donation to the Bacon Memorial Library in Wyandotte in memory of Patricia Izzo with the request that the library choose a book related to photography. The library sent a note stating that a book of Diane Arbus photographs was selected.

Jean Thomas reported that she had sent a card to Maria D’Agostini in sympathy for the death of her grandfather. Please contact Jean Thomas if you know of any members who are ill or grieving.

Motion to accept by Kathleen McNamee, seconded by Deborah Benedic. Motion approved.

Website: Report read by Kathleen McNamee. Traffic on the website was predictably down in 2019-2020, although it picked up substantially in January through May 2021. The May Newsletter, the first since Joyce Manke completed her tenure as Communications Secretary, has been posted on the website.

Consider submitting information for the Artist section of the website. The late Constance Powell’s listing is the most visited; there have even been sales generated from it.

Erica Chappuis reported that there are 359 people following the DSWPS Facebook page. The Facebook page is open to all and is a good place to post artist information.

Motion to accept by Lori Zurvalec, seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Historian: Deborah Benedict reminded everyone to submit information to the DSWPS Resume Book.

Address of the President:

President Joya Rush-Keli stated: a year ago we were in the throes of something unknown; she worried about when we would meet again. The future was unknown. We went forward as best we could. We had two exhibitions, many Zoom meetings, ours as well as with EWA. We have kept this organization going. And here we are, maskless outdoors, a surprise even as of May 1st. We will go forward and there will be a Board retreat in September. Basically, the message is that we will keep going, we will keep making art. DSWPS has a strong, beautiful, empowered future ahead. Thank you.

Old Business:

Global Art Project for Peace: Deborah Benedic reported that the Global Art Project for Peace occurs every other year. DSWPS participated in 2020 and was connected with a group of women artists from Australia. She read a letter sent to DSWPS by Helen Cameron from Australia and distributed art sent to those members who had participated in the 2020 Project: Maria Brow, Joya Rush-Keli, Carol LaChiusa DiSanto, Vasu Tolia, Rose Rhodes, Julie Sabit, Judy Bowman and Deborah Benedic. The next Global Art Project for Peace will occur in 2022.

New Business:

Empowering Women Artists (EWA): Joya Rush-Keli reported that during the pandemic period, the Executive Board of DSWPS agreed to a collaboration with two other artists groups in a group called Empowering Women Artists (EWA). The organizations that make up Empowering Women Artists (EWA) are Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors, the Huron River Art Collective (previously known as Ann Arbor Women Artists) and the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter. The EWA provided valuable content online during months when DSWPS was unable to meet in person. Four Zoom events occurred, two with speakers and two with informal discussions during which members from all three groups were able to talk to one another. These events helped fill the DSWPS program schedule with relevant programming. The two speakers cost DSWPS $50 each while the other two organizations bore the rest of the costs. Some cross memberships have resulted.

The Executive Board sought the input of the membership regarding the continuation of this collaboration.

There was discussion about the collaboration and what the benefits to DSWPS are. It familiarizes artists with DSWPS. It gives us access to the many resources of the Washtenaw County groups.

Joan Smykowski moved that DSWPS continue its relationship with Empowering Women Artists, acknowledging that there is a financial contribution, seconded by Theresa Moore. Motion carried.

Proposed Changes to DSWPS By-laws:

Article II. Duties of Officers Section VIII Treasurer:

The new language would provide:

The treasurer shall administer the DSWPS PayPal account.

The treasurer shall arrange to have the books, annual report, and a current unopened bank statement reviewed by a member appointed by the president who will offer her report at the first meeting of the Executive Board scheduled after the Annual Meeting in May.

The treasurer and the president or a representative appointed by the president shall be account signers on the bank accounts used to hold DSWPS money.

Kathleen McNamee moved that the proposed changes be accepted, seconded by Vasu Tolia. Motion passed unanimously.

Scholarships:

Jan Ducsay read a document she had prepared for the Board summarizing the issues regarding scholarships.  Our scholarship recipients, however grateful, do not continue as members after their complimentary one-year memberships. The Executive Board sought input from the membership about this program, whether it should continue, whether it should be changed to a workshop grant program for our members to apply for as an additional member benefit. In response to an email from the Board on this topic, several email responses were received from the membership in addition to the lengthy discussion at this meeting:

We could earmark a certain sum for scholarships and open applications to both student artists and our members. Theresa Moore related her experiences with scholarships given by the Downriver Arts & Crafts Society which included high school as well as college students and allowed for online applications. If we want the students to stay members, perhaps we could offer a two, three, five-year complimentary membership. The extension of time would allow them to finish school with its attendant demands, and give them a chance to enter our shows and become involved. It was agreed that the money awarded should go directly to the student, not to the school. College is very expensive; a scholarship would help and the university might reduce its financial aid by the amount we would give if the money is filtered through the college. Is the scholarship seen as a recruitment tool?

It was suggested that not all of our members have a lot of disposable income, especially younger members who might have children at home, so workshop grants would be a great member benefit. Also, a lot of women do not have a chance to become artists until later in life and they could use financial help. Look at older folks, too, not just college kids. The idea of expanding to include our members while retaining the scholarship to students seemed to be supported by many members. If we want to increase membership, keep members coming, we need member benefits.

Students can be any age. Is there an age restriction to apply for the scholarship? We need to get out of the mindset that scholarships must go to young people. Continue scholarships but look at grants for our members. We have an interest in our community of artists. It would be great to have members bring back what they had learned at workshops to our group.

The Board thanked the members for all their ideas, comments and thoughts. The Board was simply looking for input. No decisions or changes have been made.

Slate of Nominees for Executive Board positions:

Motion to Adjourn by Joya Rush-Keli, seconded by Lori Zurvalec. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned 1:30 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec,

Recording Secretary

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April 15, 2021

Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors

General Membership Meeting Held on Zoom

I. The meeting was called to order by President Joya Rush-Keli at 10:08 am. The welcoming of attendees was immediately followed by the day’s program. Notes of Kimberly Santini’s presentation appear at the conclusion of these minutes.

The business portion of the meeting commenced at 11:08 am

 II. Minutes: The reading of the minutes of the membership meeting held on October 15, 2020, was postponed until the annual meeting in the interest of time.

III. President’s Report: Joya Rush-Keli welcomed everyone to the business portion of the meeting and thanked Kimberly Santini for her presentation. She stated that DSWPS is alive and well, we are handling this pandemic as best we can. We now have 128 members, a wonderful number. There had been concern about holding on to members during the Covid-19 restrictions.

Amanda Koss (Communications Secretary) and Maria D’Agostini (1st Vice President – Programs) are a welcome addition to the Board. Carole Morisseau has agreed to be the liaison between DSWPS and Empowering Women Artists (EWA). You can help DSWPS by becoming an Advocate. Advocates commit to volunteer for one or two days a year, or on a specific project such as an exhibition. It is a limited commitment. Contact Joya Rush-Keli if you are interested.

IV. Treasurer’s Report:  Jan Ducsay reported the beginning checking account balance as of October 15, 2020 was $10,764.35. The ending balance as of April 15, 2021 is $9,497.10.  The checking account is really two funds and should be viewed as:

Operating Fund Balance $7,763.10

Memorial Fund Balance $1,734.00 (This fund will be used for Honorable Mention awards until exhausted. First, Second, and Third prize money is funded by entry fees)

A motion to accept and file the treasurer’s report was made by Katy McNamee, seconded by Lori Zurvalec. Motion carried

Jan Ducsay noted that the membership should know that the DSWPS Executive Board meets every month. She indicated that our financial position is strong.

 V. Program: No report. Joya Rush-Keli stated that our partnership with Empowering Women Artists has helped us with additional programing for the membership.

The Annual meeting will be held in person on May 20 on Belle Isle. We will be discussing and voting on important issues moving forward.

VI. Exhibitions: Joya Rush-Keli reported that Susan Munro, 2nd Vice President – Exhibitions, has arranged the Here Comes the Sun exhibition, June 26 – August 17, 2021, at the Anton Art Center in Mt Clemens. Check the website for entry details. Entries will be open for processing in May through EntryThingy.

 VII. Membership & Directory: Kimberly Santini indicated that our membership year runs from June 1 through May 31, so feel free to send in renewal dues. The form can be downloaded from the DSWPS website.

VIII. Communications Secretary: Amanda Koss is using Mailchimp to communicate with members for the newsletter and other announcements. Make certain that you have dswps@gmail.com in your address book so that emails don’t end up in your Spam folder.

IX. Parliamentarian: No report

X. Historian: Deborah Benedic asked that all members send in their info for the DSWPS Resume Book. It will be on display at the Anton Art Center during the Here Comes the Sun exhibition this summer, and you don’t want to be left out as exhibition attendees often look through the book.

XI. Webmaster: No report.

XII. Standing Committees

Social/Memorial: No report

Scholarship: No report

XIII. Old Business: None

XIV. New Business: None

 XV. Meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec

Recording Secretary

Program Notes

Kimberly Santini Goddesses of Spring Art Journaling Presentation

DSWPS Membership Meeting on Zoom

April 15, 2021

President Joya Rush-Keli welcomed Kimberly Santini: DSWPS Executive Board member, teacher, co-creator of #journalingthroughit, working artist and extraordinarily amazing woman, today’s program presenter.

Kimberly Santini stated that it was an honor to be able to share her passion for journaling with DSWPS members and began her presentation as follows.

In Art Journaling you use visual marks to express yourself, establishing your own balance of text and visual marks. A Google search will show thousands of ways to create an art journal. This exercise will be acrylic-heavy but could be done with watercolor. She uses a hard-bound sketchbook 10” x 15” with paper that can handle mixed media. That way she can play with her substrate. Choose a book in your comfort zone. You could also use an altered book, a handmade book, or loose paper.

It’s all about the process, sitting with your ideas and emotions, using your favorite tools. Mood can impact your page, color choices, marks, all plugging into how you feel with your marks and vocabulary. Think about your mood in the context of color. Translate your feelings into color. Think of adjectives – translate them into color. Kim Santini stated that she was feeling hopeful, and pink is her go to hopeful color, also green for joy, the wonderful color of rebirth and spring. She will be using watercolor pencils to draw, but you could use crayons, regular pencils or markers as well.

1. Grab one of those tools. Sit. Think about one year ago, today. What was going on, what fears, what faith, what were your circumstances? Write the phrases that come to mind in your book, legibly or not. Then spritz the words with a water bottle.

2. Where are you right now? Kim indicated that she is in a different place and it’s spring. She found a branch of forsythia outside. The flowers may be a little battered or faded, but there is a green bud at the top of the branch. It is the inspiration for her book today. Find something that reflects your feeling. With a different colored pencil, do a contour drawing of the branch or object you have chosen. Draw on top of the writing, then rotate your page and draw again, spinning the subject matter. You can draw the shadow of your object as well.

3. Apply white paint on top of the writing & drawing to break up the lines. Don’t cover everything, let some of the drawing & writing show.

4. Using a pencil, draw a figure. A classic figure is a small shape overtop a larger shape. Your figure can be very gestural, evocative of a figure rather than anatomically correct. How do you feel coming int spring? Does your goddess feel victorious? Battered? A little of both? Consider placement, movement. Ignore the marks drawn earlier.

5. Add paint, dark to light, work the paint into the negative space around your figure. You can then, if you wish, fold the paper, or close the book so that some of the paint is transferred to the other page or piece of paper (like a Rorschach test).

6. Then bring back your branch or object and draw it on top of your figure using a watercolor pencil.

7. Next write more words on top of the drawing or you can write them along the edge of the body. Go back over your figure, add breasts, glasses, whatever details make the goddess personal, such as your signature necklace or hairstyle, or a crown or wreath of roses.

Expressing ourselves can be a little messy. You can carry your marks over to the page opposite your drawing. Play with your goddess. Push and pull the shapes you see.

A possible option is to apply glazing liquid (acrylic without pigment) which you can then use to change your lines, smudge. She usually applies it at the very end.

If you don’t want your water-soluble lines to move at all, don’t use watercolor pencils or watercolor.

Do this exercise whenever you need to remind yourself that you are a goddess!

Facebook/Kimberly Kelly Santini - Kim’s journal through it live stream sessions at 10:00 am on Wednesdays, otherwise the lessons are archived on Kim’s website

http://ksantini.fineartsstudioonline.com

ksantini@turtledovedesigns.com

Supplies used: acrylic or watercolor paint including white paint, Derwent Inktense watercolor pencils and sticks or other water-soluble crayon, graphite pencils, credit card/palette knife, 1” wide brush, smaller round brush, water spritzer if working with water-soluble media, Golden Satin Glazing Liquid, paper plate palette, clean water, paper towels

Your sketchbook or journal, example Ranger Dylusions Creative Large Journal, Ranger Hardbound Dina Wakeley Journal. Heavier journal paper that can handle mixed media works best.

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 October 15, 2020

General Membership Meeting Held on Zoom 

I. The meeting was called to order by President Joya Rush-Keli at 10:08 am.

 II. Minutes: A motion to waive the reading of the minutes of the membership meeting held on September 17, 2020, to accept and file the minutes, was made by Theresa Moore, seconded by Marguerite Carlton. Motion carried.

 III. President’s Report: Joya Rush-Keli welcomed everyone and stated her vision for the organization: “DSWPS is a community of Women Artists, who listen to one another, support one another, and provide a platform in which to show our greatness. I can’t think of a more important occasion than now, in which to talk about it to all of you.  The time we are living in calls for being patient, being flexible, and being willing to help each other as we listen to and support one another. It is through our participation in our organization, our events, our shows and our activities that we keep our community of Women artist strong. DSWPS is platform on which we all collectively stand. As each of us makes it strong, our joint action will support us all.  This month we celebrate that we are still here, and we are still making art and loving art makers.”

 IV. Treasurer’s Report:  Jan Ducsay reported the beginning checking account balance as of August 31, 2020 was $10,814.64. The ending balance as of October 15, 2020 is $10,764.35.  She reminded us that the checking account is really two funds and should be viewed as:

Operating Fund Balance $8,880.35

Memorial Fund Balance $1,884.00 (This fund will be used for awards until exhausted)

Budget

2019-2020        Income $4656.00

Expenditures $2434.36

2019-2020 Balance remaining $2221.64*

*$1000 CCS scholarship will be booked to 2019-2020.

2020-2021        Income to date $3876.20

                        Expenditures    $ 702.47

2020-2021 balance remaining $3,173.73

Jan Ducsay noted that the $3173.73 sum is primarily dues. The Resilience exhibition ought to break even, however, with enough entry fees, it might have an excess that can be credited as income.

A motion to accept and file the treasurer’s report was made by Deborah Benedic, seconded by Carole Morisseau. Motion carried.

V. Program: No report.

VI. Exhibitions: Joya Rush-Keli reported for Susan Munro that David Gorman will be the juror for the upcoming Resilience Exhibition to be held at the Kayrod Gallery in the Hannan Center, Detroit.  Kayrod takes a 25% commission on sales. The entry fee is $30. Seven entries have been received by Entry Thingie so far, entry deadline is October 25. Further information can be found on the website.

Deborah Benedic reported that the potential for an exhibition at the Detroit Public Library in 2021 still exists.

VII. Membership & Directory: Kimberly Santini reported that DSWPS has 119 members to date, a robust number. She acknowledged four new members: Erlean Smith, Catherine Hetherington, Kate Hanley and Theresa Moore. The directories have been printed and will be mailed out shortly.

VIII. Communications Secretary: No report

IX. Parliamentarian: No report

X. Historian: Deborah Benedic reported that she has updated the Resume Book form. Members can also create their own page format. When a member dies, their resume page goes into the DSWPS archive at the Burton Historical Library.

XI. Webmaster: Katy McNamee reported that she has been adding information to the website including Member Achievements, which include awards and acceptances. She is not including information on upcoming shows as Joyce Manke did in the newsletter as it is beyond her capacity. She advised using the website as much as possible as it is our best source for news about the group until we have a newsletter again. Any urgent messages can be found on the front page of the website. Always check the News tab section.

XII. Standing Committees

Social/Memorial: No report

Scholarship: Joya Rush-Keli reported that the 2020 Scholarship was awarded to Jamie Patterson of CCS. $1000 will be sent to CCS to be deposited into her account. There were five applicants for the scholarship, all five were awarded free one-year memberships in DSWPS.

XIII. Old Business

A. Empowering Women Artists:  Joya Rush-Keli reported that Joan Smykowski and she have continued to meet online with Donna Jackson of the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter, and Lizzy Wilson, of the Ann Arbor Women Artists. A tentative online meeting is planned for December with a presentation by Suzanne Bilek, author of Great Female Artists of Detroit. Videos of artists’ studios are being planned. Members Carole Morisseau and Kim Santini expressed interest in participating in the artist studio program.

B. Membership Meetings During the Covid-19 Pandemic: There is a long winter ahead without any specific meetings planned. Are there other ways to bring us together, to reinforce our sense of community? Kim Santini suggested a Book Club with Zoom meeting discussions, there could also be virtual tours of galleries or museums. The Book Club idea seemed to have a lot of support.

C. Advocates: Joya Rush-Keli reported that a number of members signed up to be Advocates. Advocates are willing to help in any way, not as Chairs, but rather helping on one shot deals. Anyone interested in signing up, please contact Joya.

D. Nickname: Joya Rush-Keli reminded everyone of the new nickname for Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors: “D-sw(a)ps”.

XIV. New Business:

A. Facebook: Katy McNamee brought to everyone’s attention that there are two DSWPS pages on Facebook. One has about 83 members, the other has well over 200. There was discussion about the two pages and how we can eliminate the unofficial page. It was determined that Brenda Oelbaum created the page with 83 members, and she will be contacted to see if she would be willing to take it down as only she, as the administrator, can do so.

B. Acceptable Media for DSWPS Exhibitions: Deborah Benedic raised the question of whether videos could be submitted for future exhibitions as long as the venue could display them. There was lengthy discussion about the pros and cons of expanding the sort of art eligible for entry. Some felt that since our historic name only includes painting and sculpture, that should be the limitation. The question expanded from video/film to photography in general. It was pointed out that music is also an art. If we added film, would there need to be a limit on length? Should we accept any visual art? One issue is that a painting or sculpture can only be purchased once, whereas a photograph can be reproduced & sold multiple times. Yet, if we want to encourage younger women to join, we may need to expand as the young are often at the cutting edge of technique and content. If we did expand the acceptable media, would we need to change the name of the group that dates back to 1903? Could we just put as asterisk at the end of the name? Also, would all jurors be comfortable judging more edgy work?

Jan Ducsay recalled that Erica Chappuis did a survey of the membership on the question of photography. Katy McNamee indicated that the minutes of the membership meeting held at the Scarab Club on December 2018 contain a report by Erica Chappuis on the survey she conducted, and that there was, at that time, a general acceptance by the membership of any media. In the 2019-2020 Directory, on page 40, under Member Exhibitions General Guidelines, it states members should carefully read each exhibition’s prospectus, but that as a general rule, “All entries must be original fine art work conceived and created by the artist. No reproductions, mechanically reproduced artwork, including giclee prints, will be accepted unless otherwise specified in the prospectus for a particular exhibition.” Lori Zurvalec stated that she drafted that language at the request of the Executive Board, and that the Board’s intention was to leave the language very vague as to photography because the issue continued to be unresolved.

The reality is that, in addition to painting and sculpture, printmaking, collage, assemblage, photography and other media have all been submitted to DSWPS exhibitions, accepted by jurors, and even awarded prizes.

Should these issues be publicized to the membership so there can be official discussion and then a vote taken? The consensus was that the discussion should continue.

XV. Meeting adjourned at 11:06 am.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec

Recording Secretary

The meeting was followed by a presentation on Art Journaling by Kimberly Santini.

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September 17, 2020

Annual Meeting

(See below for the general membership meeting on this day.)

Outdoor Shelter 8E on Belle Isle, Detroit

Meeting called to order by Joya Rush-Keli, President-Elect, at 10:12 am, with the statement, “In 1918 there was a pandemic and DSWPS survived; we will survive this one as well!”

Minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting: Reading of the minutes of the 2019 Annual Meeting held on May 16, 2019 at the Scarab Club, Detroit, was waived. Francine Kachman moved that the minutes, available on the DSWPS website, be accepted as submitted, seconded by Carol LaChiusa, motion approved.

 Annual Report of the Recording Secretary: Lori Zurvalec reported on member attendance at 2019-2020 general membership meetings, average attendance being 35. Motion to accept by Joya Rush-Keli, seconded by Kathleen McNamee

Annual Report of the Corresponding Secretary: No report

Annual Report of the Treasurer: 2019-2020 Treasurer’s Annual Report read by Kathleen McNamee for Janice Ducsay. Motion to accept by Julie Sabit, seconded by Susan Munro. Motion approved.

Annual Reports of the Standing Committees:

Exhibition Report on the Black Box Gallery Exhibition read by Susan Munro for Erica Chappuis, motion to accept by Joya Rush-Keli, seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Membership: Report read by Deborah Benedic for Kimberly Santini and Janice Ducsay. Year end membership 139. Motion to accept by Roselyn Rhodes, seconded by Julie Sabit. Motion approved.

Nominations: No report

Publicity: No report

Program: Report read by Jacqueline Rybinski, motion to accept by Susan Munro, seconded by Kathleen McNamee. Motion approved.

Scholarship: To date a scholarship has not been awarded for 2020. For more information about the ongoing process, see discussion under September 17, 2020 General Membership Meeting Minutes.

Finance: No report

By-laws and Policy: Report given by Kathleen O’Connell regarding the proposed revisions to the Constitution and By-laws to provide for online meetings and to clarify the definition of woman. A ballot listing these proposed changes was mailed to all members earlier this year by Kimberly Santini who received the completed ballots. The membership voted in the changes; they can be found in the new directory to be mailed later this year. Kathleen O’Connell reminded the membership that the issue of who qualifies as a woman per the by-laws arose during entry for the Black Box exhibition when a gender fluid person inquired about entering. Because the person was not a member, and only members can enter DSWPS exhibitions, the issue went no further. The Board felt the definition of woman needed to be proactively addressed for the future. With regard to online meetings, because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of Executive Board meetings have been held online. Thank you to Kathleen O’Connell for all the work she has done on the Constitution and By-laws. Motion to accept by Deborah Benedic, seconded by June Nash. Motion approved.

Social: Kimberly Santini reported on Social activities in her written report. Thank you to Roselyn Rhodes for all her work providing refreshments at membership meetings. Roselyn Rhodes reported that because of Covid-19 and the cancellation of so many meetings, Social responsibilities have been limited in the latter half of the year. It is her hope that we will be able to have a Member Luncheon and Art Auction at some point. Motion to accept by Julie Sabit, seconded by Joya Rush-Keli.

Memorials: Report read by Jean Thomas.

Members deceased May 2019-May 2020:

Barbara Cuthbert

Olga Pawlowski

Jacquelyn Fleming

Members deceased May 2020 to date:

Dee Trainor

Alice Allhoff

A moment of silence was observed for these artists who have passed.

Jean Thomas reported that she contacts the library in the city where a deceased member lived so an art book can be donated in their memory. She also sends get well and sympathy cards to members as life events occur and thinking of you cards to Lily Dudgeon. Please contact Jean Thomas if you know of any members who are ill or grieving.

Motion to accept by Kathleen McNamee, seconded by Deborah Benedic. Motion approved.

Website: Report read by Kathleen McNamee. Electronic submissions created the most work for 2019-2020. As problems emerged they were resolved, such as submissions by non-members on EntryThingy and a need for better guidance for jurors.

Because there is no newsletter at the moment, the website has become one of the key ways DSWPS is in contact with members. Consequently, a new page for time sensitive material has been added to the website. Information about previous shows and images of included works as well as activities are updated regularly. The members only page contains a current membership list that is updated with new member info and changes to members’ contact info as received from Kimberly Santini on a regular basis. Annual reports, minutes and forms are found on the members’ only page. There is an artist page also with photos and info about members, but only 48% of DSWPS members have contributed images or text.

Motion to accept by Louise Azzoli, seconded by Paula Wild. Motion approved.

Historian Report read by Julie Sabit. DSWPS documents such as newsletters and annual reports will be delivered to the Burton Historical Collection as soon as possible given Covid-19 constraints. She thanked Deborah Benedic for taking over the Historian’s position and reminded everyone to be certain they have submitted info for their page in the Resume Book.  This book is displayed at all DSWPS exhibitions.  The History of Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors 1903 -1953 by Julia Gatlin Moore has been a very helpful resource whenever some inquiries about an artist who might have been a member are received.

Motion to accept by Lori Zurvalec, seconded by Kathleen McNamee. Motion approved.

Address of Outgoing President:

Joan Smykowski stated that she appreciated working with her team on the Executive Board and with those on the various committees. She indicated that she knows everyone will continue to step up to support the new President. She said she has concerns about the future because of the pandemic. DSWPS needs a Communications Chair to create a newsletter. A lot of our current members are not interested in finding everything online, yet the future will be young artists who will expect a strong online presence for the group. While she enjoyed her tenure, she does not miss all the emails!

Joan went on to state that one of the best parts of being president is overseeing the bestowing of honorary memberships on our most loyal and engaged members.

Honorary membership: In accordance with By-laws Article II, honorary membership is proposed by members of DSWPS for Joyce Manke.  Jacqueline Rybinski read the Honorary Member announcement. Joyce Manke has been Communications Secretary for many years. She selflessly created our newsletter in its present form, and established many connections with other organizations and galleries. She kept it all going as a one-woman show, doing the editing, reporting, covering and photographing art exhibitions, sending the newsletter out as both an electronic and USPS-distributed document. The newsletter was one of the best “perks” of membership. The Executive Board recommended to the membership that this honorary membership be bestowed. The members present approved the recommendation unanimously. Joyce Manke could not be present today, so her certificate will be mailed to her.

Retiring Executive Board members were thanked for their years of service to DSWPS:

Joan Smykowski, President

Jacqueline Rybinski, 1st Vice President – Programs

Erica Chappuis, 2nd Vice President – Exhibitions

Joyce Manke, Communications Secretary

Julie Sabit, Historian

Slate of Incoming Executive Board members:

President: Joya Rush-Keli

President – Elect: vacant

1st Vice President Program: vacant

2nd Vice President Exhibitions: Susan Munro

3rd Vice President Directory: Kimberly Santini

Recording Secretary: Lori Zurvalec

Corresponding Secretary: vacant

Webmaster: Kathleen McNamee

Treasurer: Jan Ducsay

Parliamentarian/By-laws: Kathleen O’Connell

Historian: Deborah Benedic

Carol LaChiusa moved to accept the slate of nominees for the 2020-2021 Executive Board of DSWPS, seconded by Mari Walker. Motion approved.

Immediate Past President Joan Smykowski welcomed President Joya Rush-Keli with flowers.

Motion to Adjourn by Julie Sabit, seconded by Kathleen McNamee. Motion approved.

Meeting adjourned 11:24 am.

 Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec,

Recording Secretary

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September 17, 2020

General Membership Meeting

Detroit Society of Women Painters & Sculptors

Outdoor Shelter 8E on Belle Isle, Detroit

 I. The meeting was called to order by President Joya Rush-Keli at 11:30 am after a short break following the Annual Meeting.

II. Minutes: The last membership meeting was held on February 22, 2020. In the interest of time, those minutes were not read at this meeting. Everyone was reminded that minutes of prior meetings can be found on the Members-Only section of the website.

III. President’s Report: President Rush-Keli indicated that her reports would fall under New Business.

IV. Treasurer’s Report:  Lori Zurvalec reported the ending checking account balance as of August 31, 2020 was $10,734.64 as per the report submitted to the Executive Board by Jan Ducsay at its meeting held September 10. Keep in mind that the checking account is really two funds and would be best viewed as:

Operating Fund Balance $8,850.64

Memorial Fund Balance $1,884.00 (This fund will be used for awards until exhausted)

V. Program: Currently there is no 1st Vice President: Programs. Deborah Maiale stated that she will help with programming until a new 1st Vice President: Programs is sworn in, and is willing to assist that person once found. She only lives parttime in the metro Detroit area, however, spending the other half in the Traverse City area. Today’s program is to encourage plein air work on the island at the conclusion of the meeting.

Please consider taking on the Program position. Four meeting locations are established, and there is a program binder full of information.

VI. Exhibitions: Susan Munro reported that the next juried DSWPS exhibition will be held at the Kayrod Gallery at the Hannan Center in Detroit from mid-November through January 8, 2021. The title of the exhibition will be Resilience, but there is no theme, just enter your best new/current work. Entries will be processed through Entry Thingie. Further information will be posted on the DSWPS website, our Facebook page, and by email.

VII. Membership & Directory: New members Marie D’Agostini and Theresa Moore were welcomed. There are currently 109 members.

VIII. Communications Secretary: No report

IX. Parliamentarian: No report

X. Historian: No report

XI. Webmaster: Katy McNamee reported that while the website is a poor substitute for the marvelous newsletter created by Joyce Manke, it is what we have. Under the News link, the President’s Letter and member list can be found. The Members Only section will have minutes of meetings. There is an artists’ section where members can have images of their art and/or a statement posted. It is a free ad for you!

Discussion ensued as to the Member News section that could be found in the newsletter where artists announced the shows they were in or other such information. It was suggested that the best place for members to post that information at this time is on the DSWPS Facebook page.

XII. Standing Committees

Social/Memorial: No report

Scholarship: Carol LaChiusa reported that because of the Covid pandemic there has been a delay in awarding the annual scholarship. CCS was closed in the spring. A new deadline of September 30 was set for virtual applications, open to juniors and seniors. CCS has a new representative for us to work with, Val Jenkins. The committee agreed to hear her opinions/verbal recommendation regarding the students. Five applications have been received so far. Jpgs of the artwork of the applicants will be sent to the committee members to review online. An award of one-year’s membership will be given to the top three student artists. Usually the scholarship winner attends a membership meeting and talks about her work. Depending on programming during Covid, that may not happen. CCS is moving toward the 2021 scholarship.

Marilyn Bomarito has been helping Carol LaChiusa with this process.

Lori Zurvalec noted that this report was inconsistent with the report on Scholarship Committee progress given at the September 10 Executive Board meeting. The Executive Board had discussed, among other things, that given the impediments of Covid-19, no scholarship would be given in 2020 and the possibility of opening the scholarship up in 2021 to artists at other schools besides CCS. Joya Rush-Keli indicated that if CCS is mocking up for 2021, they should be asked to slow down. Joya Rush-Keli and Carol LaChiusa will review these scholarship-related issues.

XIII. Old Business

Global Art Project: Deborah Benedic reported that Maria Brow had inquired about the Global Art Project early in the year and inspired Deborah to take it on in the spring. About 11-12 DSWPS members contributed to the project. Our assigned partners are from Australia. The contact person was Helen Cameron. The Australian artists are a diverse group, calling themselves fabricators. They use an eight-pointed star as a symbol of peace, to make people aware of violence and the need to eliminate it. They hope to create a million stars to that end. Deborah Benedic will create a display of the artwork received from Australia to post at the Resilience exhibition at the Kayrod Gallery at the end of this year. Afterward, the art will be distributed to those members who participated.

XIV. New Business:

A. Empowering Women Artists: Immediate Past President Joan Smykowski reported that Joya Rush-Keli and she have been in discussion via Zoom meetings with Donna Jackson of the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter, and Lizzy Wilson, of the Ann Arbor Women Artists. The goals of Empowering Women Artists (EWP) are equity in the arts, diversity, equality, and inclusion. It is hoped that meetings can be organized for every other month starting in November. Videos of artists’ studios are being planned. DSWPS needs to reach out to the broader artist community, and it is a positive that these two organizations sought us out. Joan and Joya are looking for members to be on an EWP Committee. Deborah Benedic volunteered to be on the committee.

B. How Shall DSWPS Conduct Membership Meetings Under Covid-19?: The Executive Board has been successful in meeting on Zoom. But what can we do about membership meetings? Lengthy discussion ensued. President Joya Rush-Keli stated that she has been struggling with this issue and is not comfortable with indoor/in-person meetings. She does not know what October will bring. Lori Zurvalec stated she was not comfortable in her role as Recording Secretary with having to attend indoor meetings either. The weather today is beautiful. It is so good to meet together, to talk with each other, socialize and network. Some places have reopened. Yet, the pandemic is not over. Can we find indoor space that is safe? Very large rooms, very good ventilation would be required. Many places are still closed. The ones that are open have restrictions in place that would most likely prohibit a 25-30- person meeting. What is open? Are there space limitations? Costs? Today’s Outdoor Shelter 8E cost over $200. Would Zoom meetings work for a large group? There is no 1st Vice President: Programs to do the work needed to answer these questions. If someone wants something different, they will have to take the initiative.

June Nash moved that until the Governor approves larger numbers meeting indoors, general membership meetings will be Zoom meetings, seconded by Theresa Moore. Motion carried with two votes in opposition.

In lieu of regular membership meetings, how can we communicate with each other? Kim Santini can help with computer connections. General communication can be found on the DSWPS website or Facebook page. With no Communications Secretary to create a newsletter we have to do what we can with the resources we have. Kathleen McNamee has an Announcements-Time Sensitive page on the website.

C. Advocates: Joya Rush-Keli stated that she would be passing around a sign-up sheet for Advocates. She envisioned Advocates as people who are willing to help in any way, not as Chairs. She is not asking for a huge commitment, but rather is asking for help from members on one shot deals.

D. Nickname: Ending on a light note, Joya Rush-Keli stated that saying “Detroit Society of Women Painters and Sculptors” or even the initials D-S-W-P-S is a bit of a tongue-twister that takes a lot of time to say. Therefore, she proposed D-sw(a)ps as a nickname and led the members in a chant of Dee Swaps, Dee Swaps Dee Swaps, like saying Amen in church. Hallelujah artist sisters!

Joya Rush-Keli concluded the meeting saying that we are in a difficult period, she knows not everyone is satisfied, but we are doing our best. She loves us coming out together, but we need help! She urged anyone interested in helping to contact her.

XV. Meeting adjourned at 12:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Lori Zurvalec

Recording Secretary

The meeting was followed by plein air painting opportunities on Belle Isle.