WEA Meeting Minutes - March 2, 2009

WEA Meeting Minutes
March 2, 2009
7 PM, DeGidios Restaurant
Attendees: Deborah Padgett, Michael Padgett, Kent Petterson, Roxi Swanson, Joe Landsberger, Lia Rivamonde, Virginia McBride, March Esch, Nance Derby, Maryellen Murphy
Mary Esch explained that COPP $1000 is coming, signed and ready. Will pay SOKOL $800 in approx. 2 weeks
The Padgett’s will host a WEA and friends Spring Studio Party on Saturday, May 9, from 7 – 11 PM. The party will be in lieu of the May meeting of WEA. Stay tuned for email invitation with specifics. For now, know that it will be potluck and bring a favorite beverage. The Padgett’s address is" 274 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul, MN, 55102 (directly across W. 7th from the Day by Day CafÈ). Web address is : http://homepage.mac/deborahpadgett/index.old.html
Joe L. raised the possibility of creating a catchy name for the studio event giving an indication that this is the first of many such events to come. So far we haven’t moved beyond WEA Spring Studio Party… so, feel free to contact Joe jfl@studygs.net or either of the Padgett’s deborahpadgett@mac.com with a catchy name.
Discussion of the party was set aside for a few minutes to discuss Nance Derby’s concerns about getting together a "vetting" (project review) group so that all proposals for exhibits, events, etc. can be reviewed in a consistent manner along similar guidelines and then brought before the larger group. {We have more than 60 West End artists on our list of "members", any of whom are welcome to attend each monthly meeting} The concern is we have to re-invent the wheel at each meeting, provide background information for new attendees and the process becomes cumbersome, ineffective and "no fun". We Tabled discussion until later in the meeting. [The later decision was to announce via email that such a group is forming and request that interested parties will notify the coordinator prior to the April 2 meeting. Selection of the project review group will take place at the April 2 meeting and the role they will play will be presented (NANCE? PAULETTE?)
Kent Petterson, from West End Gardeners attended the meeting to present an opportunity for West End Arts to participate in the West End Garden Tour on June 6 this summer.
Mary Esch is coordinating placement of 5 (or more) Plein Air painters to set up their easels in many of the gardens. There will be an effort to recruit some West End musicians as troubadours to stroll the gardens. It was agreed we would try to spread the word about this opportunity.
Additionally, Kent requested artists’ help with creation of a logo for West End Gardeners with a bit more artistic flair than the existing logo. In exchange for the artists working with him on this WEA will be provided with a half-page ad space in the Garden show booklet (catalogue). Maryellen, Nance, Mary Esch and John Davidson will meet with Kent at his bookstore at 6 PM, Thursday, March 5 to get logo together. Mary Esch and Nance will create ad copy and supply it to Kent by (what date? I missed this. D.P.)
Mary Esch raised the idea of generating WEA participants for the August, 2009, National Night Out. It was decided we will discuss this in more detail at April meeting and perhaps it can be one of the first proposals the Project Review Committee can review.
Further involvement was proposed in the Cullen Park Project. It was decided that Mary Esch will contact Paulette Meyers-Rich (the initiator of the project) and let her know the first steps seem to be for her to make contact with Parks and Recreation, W. 7th/Fort Road Federation and Neighborhoods surrounding the park. Next, a detailed proposal should be put together and reviewed by the Project Review Committee.
Further new business: Roxi expressed an interest in WEA preparing for future St. Paul Art Crawls and perhaps sharing studio or exhibit space among artists who have existing space and those who do not. There was further discussion of highlighting the visibility of West End Artists through a flyer or advertisement and even, ultimately hosting an art crawl (of sorts) of our own. Discussions will continue. Nance told Roxi she had available space at her studio on W. 7th and this led to the decision to hold the Thursday, April 2, 7 PM meeting at Nance’s studio: 941 W. 7th, B40B. Bring something to drink or snack to share, maybe even a sketch book. These meetings are meant to be fun.
The request was made of attendees to start thinking who will be coordinator when Mary E’s tenure is up in the fall. The question was raised about a position description. Mary E. said she will provide one at the next meeting.
Web management was discussed. Mary E. has taken over where Jason and Rachel left off. Joe L. said the site could (and perhaps, should) become a sub-site of the Federation. He and Mary E. will discuss and see where we are by next meeting. Meeting wrapped about 9 PM (or so) with a few staying on into the wee hours of the night (10:30/11?) just for fun.
Respectfully submitted, Deborah Padgett