PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Happy 2024!
WOW… 2023 sure flew by, didn’t it? So once again we’ve begun a new year with new beginnings and maybe a few resolutions? As a rule, I don’t participate in this activity because I know my limitations, but for those of you who have made New Year’s resolutions, I wish you much success. I had a fun, busy holiday with family and friends and am sorry it is in the past, although my waistline is heaving a sigh of relief since I have pushed it to its limit! Is there anything better than Christmas cookies and candies? I think not! I had quite a few art commissions to finish amidst the hustle and bustle, but I managed to get these completed satisfactorily, although I did not accomplish much for my own enjoyment, so maybe that will happen this month.
I enjoyed our Christmas party with all the good food, conversation and gift exchange. I still have my stuffed gnome on display (sorry, Clarice). I want to thank everyone who attended and especially those who helped make it a success – Jim and Connie Gifford for having our gallery sparkling clean, Carol Collett for making sure we had all the paper supplies and drinks needed, Warren Brown for being our very own Santa Claus and keeping order during our disorderly game, the Thursday Paint-In group for decorating the gallery, and the Friday Paint-In group for taking the decorations down. We missed those who could not come but hope you can attend our 2024 party!
Our next meeting is Tuesday, February 6, at 7:00 pm, with Gary Blevins as our guest artist. I have heard quite a bit about his work and am looking forward to meeting him and watching his demo.
I also want to remind you that Roger Browning will be stepping down as Watermelon Booth chairman after the 2024 Sweet Corn Festival, so if you would be interested in training with him this year, let Roger or myself know.
Looking forward to seeing you all in February and remember, keep creating!
Linda Brandenburg, President
FAA DEMO ARTISTS AND WORKSHOPS 2024
February 6 Gary Blevins, acrylic/multi-media demo
March 5 Peggy Bowman, Journaling demo
April 2 Charmaine Boggs, acrylic/mixed-media demo
May 7 Demo TBD
May Workshop TBD
June 4 Social
July No meeting
August No meeting
September 3 Shirlee Bauer, watercolor demo
October 1 David R. Smith, watercolor demo
October 1–3 Watercolor Workshop with David R. Smith
November 5 Rosemary Nick, collage demo
December 3 Christmas Party (subject to change)
FEBRUARY’S GUEST ARTIST – GARY BLEVINS
Gary Blevins was born and raised in Springfield, Ohio. He attended Springfield North, the school of the Dayton Art Institute, and The Ohio State University. Gary works predominantly in oils, acrylics, and watercolor. His subject matter is inspiration from landscapes, sports, a face, or anything he feels like putting on a canvas. Gary has been featured at the Super Bowl breakfast in New Orleans, the Brandywine Museum in Chaddsford, Pennsylvania, the Terry Redlin Art Center in Watertown, South Dakota, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, and the Rockwell retreat in Arlington, Vermont. After being away from Springfield for the last forty years, Gary wants to now share his work with SPRINGFIELD. His gallery located in Springfield, is a welcoming place to enjoy strolling through while taking in all the stories of each of his over 160 paintings that are on display.
MEMBER NEWS
The following FAA members were among those chosen to participate in the Rosewood Arts Center 34th Annual Works on Paper juried exhibition: Lisa Becker, Nancy Dankof, Joann Davenport (a watercolor “Time for Rehearsal”), and Brendan Higgins. A total of 241 pieces were submitted by 97 artists who live within a 40-mile radius of Dayton, Ohio. The juror, Glen Cebulash, selected 60 pieces representing 47 artists for the exhibition. The exhibition, which is free and open to the public, runs through March 1, 2024, at the Rosewood Gallery in the Rosewood Arts Center, 2655 Olson Drive in Kettering. Hours are Monday–Thursday 10:00 am–9:00 pm; Friday 10:00 am–5:00 pm; and Saturday 10:00 am–3:00 pm (closed February 19). For more information, call (937) 296-0294 or visit their website.
The Rosewood Arts Center staff selected a compilation of artworks as favorites among the entries not juried into the Works on Paper exhibition. Works by Connie Gifford and MJ White were selected to be part of the Paper 2024 show in the Community Gallery. Paper 2024 is open to the public at the Rosewood Arts Center through March 1, 2024.
Some of our long-time members will remember Doris and Ed Alexander. Long-time member Doris Alexander passed away in late 2023. Before the pandemic, Doris and her husband Ed (who preceded her in death) were almost always signed up for refreshments and attended meetings regularly. …Submitted by Billie Dickson
CALL FOR ENTRIES – 2024 GREENE COUNTY SENIOR ARTISAN SHOW
The Greene County Council on Aging and the Fairborn Art Association invite Greene County residents who are 60 years of age and over to enter the 2024 Senior Artisan Show. Entries are due Friday, March 1, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Fairborn Art Association Gallery. Limited to 2 entries per person. There are no entry fees. Popular Choice awards.
Categories: Oil and Acrylic paintings, framed not under glass; Mixed Media: watercolor, acrylic, pastel, charcoal, pencil, pen and ink – framed under glass; Three dimensional sculpture, woodcarvings, hand-thrown pottery and ceramics – free standing; Photography – framed. All artwork must be original and created after artists’ age of 60.
Contact GCCOA for entry packet or more information. 937-376-5486 or YourFriends@gccoa.org
FAA MEMBERS’ FINE ART SHOW
The Members’ Fine Art Show is fast approaching! Time to start thinking about what you would like to enter. These cold winter months are perfect for staying in and painting something new! The Members’ show is held in the month of May with the awards ceremony taking place at the meeting on May 7. Linda Perry and I will be reaching out for volunteers to help hang the show and sit the gallery in the next couple months so be thinking about ways that you can help. If you have any questions, please let us know. Cindy Sayeedi, primitivepainter@sbcglobal.net and Linda Perry, lindakay652002@yahoo.com
LATHREM SENIOR CENTER CALL FOR ARTISTS
The Lathrem Senior Center is looking for artists who would like to display for 2024. February, April–October & December are all still open. The Charles Lathrem Senior Center is located at 2900 Glengarry Drive, Dayton, OH 45420. For more information, please contact: Jennifer Giessler, Senior & Adult Program Supervisor at: Jennifer.Giessler@ketteringoh.org or by phone: 937-296-2480
VILLAGE ARTISANS GALLERY EXHIBIT
Village Artisans at 100 Corry Street in Yellow Springs, Ohio is holding an exhibit of abstract art in their Lobby Gallery now through March 12, 2024 during regular gallery hours. This is a free exhibit that is open to the public. www.villageartisans.blogspot.com
GCDA ANNUAL PAINTING RETREAT
The Greater Cincinnati Decorative Artists (GCDA) invite you to join them at their Annual Painting Retreat at the Higher Ground Conference Center, 3820 Logan Creek Lane, West Harrison, Indiana 47060 on April 12–14, 2024. If you have questions about the Retreat, please contact Jo Sharpshair, Chair, at josharpshair@zoomtown.com or 513-919-9795. For more information about GCDA, visit their website at: https://gcdapainters.org/
REMINDERS
Our next meeting will be on March 5, 2024. The deadline for submitting articles to be included in the March Newsletter is Monday, February 19, 2024. Please call or email your articles to April Coppess.
Please note that, for privacy reasons, the Fairborn Art Association will not post personal email addresses or phone numbers in the newsletters or on our website unless we have the respective member’s permission. Consult your FAA Directory for contact information for members. For non-members, we will provide the contact information we are given for them.