Plain text Version of September/October newsletter:

TAG Classes to be Managed by Cynthia Stotlar-Hedberg 

I have moved over to take on getting classes going so that we can hopefully start making a bit more money. LuAnn graciously agreed to take over my job as newsletter editor in chief. I have gotten an oil painting and gel-printing workshop planned and Courtney is working up the flyer for her to do a card painting workshop as well this quarter. My goal is 3 per quarter to start. If any of you have artists you'd like to see next year as teachers let me know. I have contacted two but don't have anything firmed up as of yet. Something I'd also like you to think about is if we would want to just have some fun things offered like a "wine and paint night" quarterly that is more for fun just to let people try art or a "paint with your child night or Saturday morning" periodically. I realize they aren't "sophisticated" but both are how I got interested in art. It made doing paintings seem feasible. I still have the painting Eric and Jason did.

Painting Classes Coming Up

Oil Painting with David Vollbracht

October 14th 
9 AM -4 PM and October 15th 1-4 PM $150

David has presented oil painting classes for the guild before and those taking his classes have really enjoyed his style. He is primarily a landscape artist. The class size is limited to ten artists. 

Watercolor Cards with Courtney Armstrong

October 20th 1-3 PM or October 21st 1-3 PM $30

You will leave with 4 completed cards. Two separate sessions will be presented with Courtney to do Halloween cards. All supplies will be provided so just come in a Halloween state of mind and ready to paint.

Gel Painting with Michaela Butterworth

November 5th 1-4 PM $40

Learn fun, new techniques for painting and adding textures. Michaela is amazingly creative. This will be a really fun class. 

Acrylic Painting Workshop

Wednesdays in September & October 4 - 7 PM

If you know anyone who would like to start painting with acrylics, please share the information about this “workshop-style” class. We have advertised it on Facebook, and attendance has been good. Materials are provided. Donations to TAG are requested but not required.

See our website for materials lists and further details about each of these classes. Class sizes are limited, so sign up soon. Brochures for each class are available at the gallery.

Monthly Member Meeting

Member Meetings will be resuming September 26, with TAG member speaker, Mark Clarke.

He will bring his digital and film cameras to talk about their differences and why he uses both. Then he'll take us along on his photographic journey sharing photos - as well as what, why and how he shoots those fabulous photos!

Please plan to join us Tuesday evening, September 26th, from 7:00 - 8:00pm. at the TAG gallery.

Come early to catch up with friends you haven't seen in a while, have a glass of lemonade and a cookie or two.

See you there!            --Courtney Armstrong

President's Column

What an exciting fall at TAG. After Cynthia's big Birthday party, we move right into our fall juried show, KANSAS. All artists need to re-read the prospectus. We hate rejecting entities because they are "old" work or a subject that doesn't scream KANSAS. If you paint from someone else's photo make sure that you have permission. This includes photos from magazines, calendars, etc. It is very difficult for an artist to track down the owner of a calendar photo. Please use your own photos, plein aire, or from memory . In November "ART FOR THE HOLIDAYS" will return. This is very successful last year. It's time to start making those great small art works for Holiday giving. Or buy yourself a gift, you deserve it. 

Marie

Ducks Sold/ Survey Results

All 200 ducks were sold for the Sertoma Duck race, but the final profit for TAG has not yet been announced. Thanks to all who responded to the survey. Results will be discussed and announced in the future.

Important Dates:

September 26: Member Meeting 6:30 social, 7:00-8:00 presentation by Mark Clarke

September 30: Aaron Douglas Art Fair

October 1: Entry date: Kansas Art Show

October 2: Hanging in the Gallery. Contact Dorethy Hancock if you can help.

October 6: First Friday: 5 - 7 PM. October 14-15: Vollbracht Class

October 24: Member meeting: Michelle Levian, Art Print Express

Artists who sold in August:

Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Kevin Boland, Sherrie Dick, Becky Drager, Dorethy Hancock, Joe Hernandez, Marie Plinsky, Cynthia Stotler-Hedberg, Rachel VanHoozer

The amount sold: $1376

--September/October Newsletter

Membership Update:

At the August Executive Member meeting, the board voted to increase membership dues. A single membership is now $50 a year and a family membership is now $75 a year.

Your Art  will no longer appear on the website...unless...

You submit a photo to the webmaster. Take a look at any professional art website and you will not see images like this: (photo behind glass)

(The art is wonderful, Fred. My photo is not.)

About thirty percent of those photos I’ve taken since I started working on the TAG website are terrible. TERRIBLE because the art work is covered by glass, because the lighting was poor, or because I didn't want to climb a ladder to take the photo.

Do the math: One person tries to take a hundred photos in less than ideal conditions vs. each person taking the responsibility to do this themselves.

So if you want your art to appear on our website, submit a good photo. Period.

New TAG Member Benefits

Customers often see a piece in the Topeka Art Guild Gallery that they love… but they are not yet ready to make a purchase. When the customer returns to the gallery, the next show is in place and the picture they are ready to purchase is no longer on the gallery wall.

Wouldn’t it be nice if the staff member could easily help the customer find that painting?

This really IS a situation in which your friendly neighborhood web master can be of assistance.

Beginning with the Kansas Art Show, any qualifying piece of art submitted can be placed on the TAG website in two different places:

• On the Home page; and
• On your personal web page.

How does a painting qualify for this service?

• The artist must be a member of TAG.
• The artist must submit a photo of the piece of art.

For more information about this new service, contact LuAnn Lawhon

2023 Newsletters for Searching:

ALL-MEMBER MEETINGS

January All-Member Meeting

Melanie Hutchinson will be our speaker/presenter at the All- Member Social Meeting, Tuesday, Jan. 24th at 7:00. She once lived in India and will talk about how to felt silk, having used saris. Come for Social Time at 6:30; then listen to her presentation at 7:00. Feel free to bring goodies.

—JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

Kathy Pflaum is both our March Artist of the Month and February presenter for the member social on February 28. Socializing 6:30; talk at 7 pm.

Kathy will talk about Fibers and other things she uses in her creative process in a presentation she is calling, “ What Is That Fiber?“

Congratulations to Kathy who has recently been elected to the NOTO Arts District Board.

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

Tuesday March 28th at 7 pm Member Meeting Speaker: Azyz Sharafy

Azyz Sharafy is a Professor of Studio/Electronic Arts, & Graphic Design in the Art Department at Washburn

University. He has two Masters degrees:

M.A. in Art Education - Concordia University, Montreal, Canada 1995 MFA in Creative Painting, M.S. University of Baroda, India 1983

Azyz is presently teaching courses on: Studio Arts

▪ Drawing I, 3D Design

▪ Multimedia & Electronic Arts

▪ Adv/Regular Digital Painting & Drawing 2 & 3D Digital Animation,

▪ Interactive Art, Video Editing, Special Effects, Digital Painting and Drawing, Video Game Design, 3D Printing, Augmented and Virtual Reality Art and Art using AI In). Involved with Metaverse and Edu-verse and also courses on Graphic Design.

Azyz is an art educator and artist based in USA who works in multiple media. He creates physical 3D paintings or as he calls it painted sculptures. His work includes: PHOTOMATION, animation, videos, digital paintings Artificial Intelligence based art and other media art using AR/VR and spatial computing. He develops new media and new processes through material and conceptual explorations like sand toning, digital print weaving and text art construct. Art creativity and education is his passion.

—March 2023 Newsletter

ANNUAL MEETING

Membership Meeting - May 9th! 5:30 pm for Social and 6:00 Dinner and Meeting

Mark your calendars! Sign up online and pay your $12! The May Membership Meeting and Election of new officers is on! It will be held in the Topeka Art Gallery itself. Food is to be provided by Topeka BBQ It’s going to be bring your own beverage IF you want something alcholic. We will provide tea and water.

The slate of Oficer for the Board to be voted on are:

Returning Officers:

Marie Plinsky – Chair

Lila Bartel – High School Liaison

Joe Hernandez – Treasurer

Karol Sutherland - Office Manager
Sherrie Dick 3D and First Friday

Mick Locke

Cynthia Stotlar-Hedberg -Newsletter/Facebook/back-up on Website

Potential New Officers:

Aric Harrington Courtnery Armstrong Jancy Petit

At large – Phylis Cory – Vol. Staffing Calendar & Dorthey Hancock & Hanging LuAnn Lawhon – Website

Many thanks to Charles Benton, Kathleen Cobb, Leanne Kilmer and Anne Kufhal for their faithful service on the Board.

— APRIL 2023 Newsletter

Membership Meeting was May 9th

We did a lot of “meeting and greeting” then we voted on Board members. Everyone enjoyed BBQ from Topeka BBQ. It was a fun night. Thanks to everyone who helped set up and clean up – it was a team effort. We had about 30 in attenadance and we had a delightful time. Pics are on Facebook.

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

Artist of the Month for April is Connie English

Enjoy the works of Connie English, accomplished fine artist. The first quarter of 2023 has been a great one for Kansas fine artist and watercolor painter Connie English. She continues to find success at the local, regional, national, and international level. Most recently, her work was accepted into the International Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Acceptance in this juried show is a repeat honor for Connie. In addition, Ms. English’s work is on display in her hometown downtown Topeka space for Kansas connected Artist Leaping Llamas Artisan Shoppe. Across a career spanning four decades, Connie’s work has been displayed in all 50 states generating numerous monetary purchase awards. Her work has been featured on the covers of two different national publications: JPN and NASAD (who also printed her cards for years). A Cum Laude graduate of Kansas State University, and the Kansas Watercolor Society and the International Show in Minneapolis Minnesota, English’s work hangs at the Blumenschein Museum in Taos, New Mexico. Connie creates inspiration and motivation to her Christian faith. Without the Lord as her steward, she could not paint these paintings. Connie is also available for private instruction.

—March 2023 Newsletter

Becky Drager

May Artist the Month

Becky Drager is a local Topeka painter that has been working full time for 12 years. She enjoys painting local scenes of Topeka and Kansas using vivid colors and an impressionistic style. April showers bring May Flowers. I felt these paintings were appropriate for my May Artist of the Month show. I love painting the beauty that surrounds me everyday. Because I love painting with lots of color, my garden flowers are perfect subjects. These flowers are ones that last forever, so I hope you find a beautiful bouquet to enrich your life with color and lovely visual scents. Pick your favorite.

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

June Artist of the Month: Melanie Hutchinson

I’ve always loved Art. In grade school I’d make dioramas instead of writing book reports. I learned to sew when I was young and have worked in textiles since. I’ve sewn everything from ballet tutus to boat covers, working as a costume designer for ballet and theatre for 30 years.

That was so much fun.

I earned a Fine Arts degree with honors, and later earned my K-12 Art Teaching Certificate, teaching in public schools and creating home school classes. Several galleries and businesses have shown my art and I’ve participated in many Art shows. Being an Air Force “brat”, I traveled and lived all over the world. At 50 years old, I moved to India to help set up training centers for poor and rescued women. I created some art but was limited in what I could do while working in the centers. I created art pieces with decoupaging blocks of wood found in the streets, using photos I took of all the experiences of living in India. After the children saw what I was doing, they started collecting all kinds of wood pieces and broken jewelry and odds and ends for me.

When a friend from Scotland came to visit the centers, she started experimenting with silk pieces from the training centers and discovered “silk felting”. She is an avid wool felter and artist and found by ‘needle felting’ silk scraps together we could create a whole new material. She taught the Indian women in the centers who started creating ornaments to sell. And I started ‘silk felting’ tapestries, using all the scraps, pieces, and threads to create a new ‘art medium’.

I came back to America 12 years later, seeking to find my “place” again in my own country. I find creating art from all kinds of objects and materials, with things tossed away, found objects, and mixed media fascinating. Every medium is intriguing: collage, pastels, acrylic, oils, decoupage, papier Mache, sculpture, metal, hand work and textiles. And I still explore different mediums but tend to focus on textiles and ‘reverse’ painting, and am starting to move into more sculptural art pieces.Creating is a passion that fills my soul, and I hope my art has a part in filling up others’ hearts and soul.

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

Artists of the Month: Artists from the Thursday Afternoon Painters:

Lila Bartell ...Cynthia Einspar... Connie English ...Nancy Goddard ...Connie Gonzales... Laurine Jarboe... Linda Lilja...LuAnn Lawhon ...Adele Racker ...John Reardon... David Schock ... Carol Williams

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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August Artist of the Month: Cynthia Stotlar-Hedberg

Cynthia never met a flower she didn’t love. While everyone else on a trip is taking pictures of the Louvre, Parthenon or lions on the plains of Botwana, she is taking pics of flowers and getting teased. But that’s Okay. She doesn’t have an art degree, but one in Chemistry-Physics and a masters in Adult Ed. She has taken numerous 1-5 day art classes along life’s way. She inherited her grandmother’s art supplies at five and enjoyed art ever since. She truly appreciates the Topeka Art Guild. Which is why she is hosting a FUNd Raiser/70th Birthday party for it on August the 12th. You are all invited BUT RSVP if you want to be sure there is enough food. It’s from 6-9 pm. You can come and stay, come and dance or come and go. But come and donate!

--JULY 2023 Newsletter

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ARTISTS WHO SOLD:

December:  Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Lila Bartel, Cathy Brown, Naomi Cashman ,Phyllis Cory, Sherrie Dick, Becky Drager,

Ellen Duncan, Susan Graber, Dorethy Hancock, Melanie Hutchinson, Monique Litherland, Laurine Jarboe, Anne Kufahl,

Linda Lilja, Kris Luber, Mike McNeive, Sam Newcomb, Marie Plinsky, Ruth Powers, Jewell Willhite

Total sales for December was $2418.51 Good job!

--JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Artists who sold in January: Dorethy Hancock, Lila Bartel, Mike McNeive, Albo Glass, Naomi Cashman, Courtney Armstrong, Becky Drager, Melanie Hutchinson, Mike Clarke, Laurine Jarboe, Linda Lilja, Kris Luber, Ruth Powers, Johanna Hanks, Sherrie Dick. Sales for January were $1101.

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Artists sold last month:

Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Lila Bartel, Phyllis Cory, Sherrie Dick, Becky Drager, Naomie Cashman,  Dorethy Hancock Melanie Hutchinson Kris Luber, Linda Lila, Kathy Pflaum

Total amount sold: $765.99

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

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Artists Sold in April: Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Naomi Cashman, Phyllis Cory, Sherrie Dick, Becky Drager, Connie English, Melanie Hutchinson, Kellie Dillinger, Marie Plinsky

Sold $1707

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

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Artists who Sold: Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Lila Bartel, Phyllis Cory, Sherrie Dick, Mark Hahn, Dorethy Hancock, Melanie Hutchinson, Cynthia Stotlar-Hedberg

Total sold: $1059.49

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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ARTISTS SOLD

Albo, Lila Bartel, Naomi Cashman, Sherrie Dick, Melaine Hutchinson, Courtney Armstrong, Phyllis Cory, Becky Drager, Kellie Dillinger, Karol Sutherland

Sold $1008.10

--JULY 2023 Newsletter

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Artists Who Sold in July 2023:

Albo Glass, Sherrie Dick, Deanna Rowe, Naomi Cashman, Melanie Hutchinson, Ruth Powers

TOTAL: $147.50

--August/September Newsletter

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Artists who sold in August:

Albo Glass, Courtney Armstrong, Kevin Boland, Sherrie Dick, Becky Drager, Dorethy Hancock, Joe Hernandez, Marie Plinsky, Cynthia Stotler-Hedberg, Rachel VanHoozer

The amount sold: $1376

--September/October Newsletter

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BLOGS:

A new “For Members Only” blog post has been posted on the website. The title of the first article is “Heads, Hearts, Dwindling Membership, and a Proposal.” I encourage all members to read this article and respond in some way. There is a link to the article on the Home Page of our website, but you must be logged in to see the article.

AUGUST 2023 Newsletter

CLASSES:

ART FOR ALL

“Art for All” will be offered from 9:00-12:00 for four consecutive Saturdays, January 21 - February 11. Materials will be provided. The event is free. Your host is

LuAnn Pepperwood, an experienced ATC artist.

Artist Trading Cards are 2.5” x 3.5” pieces of art, and they are the perfect way to start making art on a regular basis.

Each person will choose what type of card they wish to make. There will be samples, basic instruction sheets, inspiration, and help. For more information, contact LuAnn Pepperwood by email: luannpepperwood@gmail.com or check out her blog: https://pepperwoodatcs.wordpress.com/2022/12/16/art-for-all-the-plan/

—JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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A new class starting: Beginners Acrylics Class for people interested in learning to paint with acrylic paints. LuAnn Pepperwood is the volunteer host of these afternoon classes, which will be from 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM every Wednesday in May. Brochures are available in the Gallery.

Reservations can be made online, but drop-ins are also welcome.

If you know anyone who would like to try acrylic painting, please share this information with them. This might be a way to entice more people to join TAG! All materials needed to paint an 8" x 10" painting on stretched canvas will be provided for the suggested $7 donation to the Topeka Art Guild. Participants may choose one of four "learner style" paintings or paint an original piece. Bring

reference photos if desired.

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

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Terrific Thursdays

Grow your watercolor skills with your peers Join peers in TAGS classroom, bring your watercolors and papers and join in the fun. The classroom is open from 1 to 4 for your enjoyment and skills development.

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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Wonderful Wednesdays and Terrific Thursdays continue.

-- JULY 2023 Newsletter

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The Guild offers several free opportunities to grow as an artist. We love it when folks can donate to help cover costs but understand if that’s not possible. (Posters for "Wonderful Wednesdays" and "Open Studio Thursdays" were displayed in the newsletter)

--AUGUST 2023 Newsletter

DATES TO KNOW:

UPCOMING DEADLINES JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

Next Member Show Entry Day January 29

Symphony in the Flint Hills Art Exhibit and Auction deadline February 27 “From the Earth” Art Exhibition at Buttonwood Art Space deadline February 28

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UPCOMING DEADLINES

Donations to YWCA Revealed/Concealed Art Auction February 24 Symphony in the Flint Hills Art Exhibit and Auction deadline February 27 From the Earth Art Exhibition at Buttonwood Art Space deadline February 28 TAG Spring Show April 2

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Upcoming Deadlines and/or Dates to Remember

March 22 Two busloads of students from Valley and Jackson Heights will visit the Guild. March 28 All Member Meeting 6:30 pm

April 2nd 2-4 pm Entry Day – Reflection done within 2 years of date of entry. April 3rd Hanging

April 4th Life Drawing – must sign up

April 7th First Friday

April 11 6 pm Board Meeting 6:30 pm April 28 Member Meeting

Annual Meeting May 9th 5:30 pm Dinner will be served so RSVP will be needed NO LATER THAN May 5th Spouses are welcome $12.oo per person catered by Topeka BBQ

May 31 Lawrence Art in Park deadline

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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Other Dates to Add to your Calendar:

April 27th: Girls Night Out at the Mall – we need one more volunteer from 6:30 to 8:30 pm Please let Phyllis Cory know if you can help!

May 31st is the deadline for Lawrence’s rt in the ark June 9th and 10th Sidewalk Sale at Fairlawn Plaza

June 26th Sick Plant Clinic at the Mall

June 24th The Day Lily Show if you are entering the photo contest – come early

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

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Dates to Know!

May 31st is Lawrence’s Art in the Park Deadline

June 9th and 10th Sidewalk Sale at

Fairlawn Plaza

June 24th The Day Lily Show if you are

entering the photo contest – come early. The first 200 people get free day lilies and who doesn’t love free!

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

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Dates to Know!

June 26: Free Sick Plant Clinic 10am - 3 pm Fairlawn Plaza

July 7 First Friday

July 8 Cruise Night 5 pm

July 30 Entry Day for Aug-Sept Show

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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Dates to Know:

July 30th Entry Day

August 4th 5:00 pm- 8 pm First Friday August 8th 6 pm Board Meeting

August 12th 6-9 pm FUNd Raiser and 70th Birthday -You are all Invited RSVP to cynthiastotlar @gmail.com Music will be by Kirk Drager’s band, food by Engroff’s, gift bags and door prizes. Please donate to TAG. It is a 501C3 so it will be tax deductable. To add a touch of fun, make each donation have a 7 in it. So $7.00 to $700 all are welcome!

--JULY 2023 Newsletter

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Artists Who Sold

Albo Glass, Sherrie Dick, Deanna Rowe, Naomi Cashman, Melanie Hutchinson, Ruth Powers

TOTAL: $147.50

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EXECUTIVE MEETING

Highlights of January 10 Executive Committee Meeting

Art sold during “Art for the Holidays” totaled $2500

The December fundraising campaign brought in $2200

The hanging committee will be painting and refurbishing the Gallery on 1/30 & 1/31 – volunteers are needed Staffing issues were discussed

* fill out sales slips completely

* the Square card reader is up and running

“all sales final “will be added to sales slips

there are now chains to hold the doors to the mall open

staffers are reminded to do light housekeeping (trash removal, dusting, vacuuming) as needed

The Spring Show will have a theme: Reflections

Upcoming: Member meeting, January 24; fundraiser for John Riordan who lost his house in a fire Christmas Day; February First Friday requests members wear red to receive a surprise; TAG celebrates 20 years at Fairlawn Plaza in September 

JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Highlights of the February Executive Committee Meeting

• New members will be elected to the Board at the May 9th Annual Meeting. Two positions are open for two-year terms; two positions are open for one-year terms.

• Sam Newcomb has designed a new Guild logo and printed business cards members can use.

• The old credit card system is gone. In the future TAG will be using the SQUARE system.

• A thank-you card will be sent to all of last year’s donors in the spring

• Next Meeting March14, 6 pm.

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Highlights from TAG Board Meeting March 14th.

• Plea for small, handcrafted gifts to be given away for prizes at First Fridays

• We are looking for someone to train new members to the ins and outs of the Guild – volunteers anyone?

• Encouraging people to wear yellow to First Friday.

• Also need a volunteer to find judges for juried events. If interested, call Marie Plinsky.

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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FIRST FRIDAY

Hi TAG-ERS!

December's First Friday was a fun event and brought in a lot of sales and new visitors. Let's keep the momentum going! From now-on (until further notice) we're focused on trying to make ALL First Fridays fun and lucrative. Join the fun in February - celebrating RED! On FF, (Feb. 3) anyone stopping in wearing red will receive a gift! There will also be a game to play involving red! Wear red when you come to First Friday's evening event and be part of the celebration. Hopefully we will have some musicians joining us, too!

More exciting things to come...and we WELCOME your ideas and input. If we all work together and spread the news, we could become a prominent go-to place for every First Friday Art Walk!!

Questions? Email Sherrie at sherriedick43@gmail.com

Breakdown of sales:

Fine art from $100 & Under Show Jewelry

Greeting Cards

Shrink Wrap Artwork

Albo Glass

Christmas Ornaments

Undetermined (poorly written sales slips)

18 pieces $1381

13 pieces 23 pieces 8 pieces 14 pieces 12 pieces 5 pieces

$ 320 $ 220 $ 180 $ 432 $ 85 $ 95

—JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Periodic Dulcimer Music by Arlyn and Delane Brunken

Every First Friday this year will be a full-blown party! We've made it fun and easy for Hosts and Hostesses with color schemes and themes. Sherry Dick will visit with hosts to give them their special badges and fill them in on any games for the night. FF Events and the hosting chart will be posted on the corkboard in the office area. We are also now using our front West window to feature the work of a single artist each month There will be a sign-up list for this opportunity also on the corkboard. Don't miss out!

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Hi TAG-ers...Here's an update on our Gallery's "Fabulous First Fridays"! April's First Friday date was also Good Friday, so numbers of people attending dropped a bit; however, sales were good that day! It was a Celebrate the COLOR Yellow day, so anyone wearing a bit of yellow received an origami packet of wildflower seeds. Our "Guess What" game winner won a miniature painting on an easel & two packages of yellow Peeps! Sincere THANKS to ALL who helped make the event successful!!

May 5th is our next First Friday. We'll celebrate the COLORS of Cinco de Maya! Our refreshments, game, prize, and party favors should reflect that theme and the colors... and I would love to have members text me with ideas and suggestions and perhaps an artsy donation for the game prize!

Your help is also needed with the distribution of handouts and placing posters. These should be available within the next few days at the Gallery. Ask at any place you frequent if you could tape one of our posters in their window. We will distribute hand-outs at the members meeting on the 25th to hear Jane Kroger, floral arranger.

TEXT or CALL me at 785-506-5764 - Sherrie Dick.

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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June 2nd is First Friday, come join in the summer fun!

In May we celebrated the colors of Cinco de Maya.

We enjoyed seeing the beautiful clothes people chose to wear! Suzy made delicious treats, Marie brought fruit and Mike found Margarita mix that tasted like the real thing! The 6-piece flute ensemble, Silver Winds, was fantastic. (So sorry if you missed it!)

On First Friday, June 2nd, we'll Celebrate every Color under the summer sun! Think flower gardens, picnics, blue skies, sandy beaches, tropical t-shirts, etc.! June 2nd is also National Donut Day - so that's a hint as to what treats might be.

Mike Locke is signed up to Host in June, and he needs a partner!

Our musical entertainment will be Fred Appelhanz, playing the Hammer Dulcimer.

WE NEED YOUR HELP:

1. MIKE LOCKE NEEDS A PARTNER TO HELP HOST

2. PASS OUT POSTERS AND INVITE FRIENDS TO COME: New posters will be up soon, along with invites for members to hand out. (If every member just handed out 3 invitations, we'd have a great turn-out!)

3. SUGGESTIONS AND ARTSY GIFTS for game prizes

4. IDEAS and musician contacts are all appreciated!

Contact Sherri at 785-506-5764 or sherriedick43@gmail.com

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

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First Friday

Celebrate the Colors of the US Flay

Party with the Artists

5 to 8 PM on July 7th

for the First Friday Art Walk

Enjoy the Summer Art Show

Refreshments * Live Music * Door Prizes * Party Favors

(July 7th is also Chocolate Daly!)

The FUN continues!! July 7th will be another "party with the Artists," Celebrating the Colors of our USA Flag and Chocolate Day – Patriotic and delicious – what could be better! (The word's getting out that our Gallery's FF events are the best!) If you have a painting in the show, or you want to support the Arts and your friends... or if you like delicious refreshments, please attend and bring a friend! There will also be live music, surprise favors and you could win a beautiful gift from last month’s artist of the month, Melanie Hutchinson! How can you resist?!

Help Wanted:

We need two hosts for August! It's an easy job...with themes, colors and plans laid out for every month - and Sherrie Dick will be there to assist. If you can't host, perhaps you could donate a treat for the table? Call Sherrie Dick-785-506-5764 for details.

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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First Friday image for August

Hey TAG members! Here's the news about our First Friday event on August 4th from 5 to 8 pm! We're partnering with the Sertoma Clubs for their Great Topeka Duck Race, so our theme will be a "Yellow Ducky Beach Party!" We'll have the details about adopting the ducks that night. (But you can drop by sooner, to adopt if you wish). Wear your beach party-colored clothes (Maybe not Bikinis!) and enjoy an evening of Artwalk fun with friends, delicious refreshments, live music - and get a Free Gift with any purchase of $20-or-more! (Duck purchases are not included in that offer.)

August 4th is also National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day! I'm no cookie baker, so if someone could bring a couple dozen homemade chocolate chip cookies, that'd be great!! (We also welcome any snack food donations for the table...fruit, crunchies, cheese, etc.) Please support your Gallery with your presence on these fun FF events!! Bring your spouse... bring a friend or two...the more, the merrier! Contact me with any questions at Sherriedick43@gmail.com

--JULY 2023 Newsletter

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Our next First Friday Artwalk will be September 1, 2023, from 5 pm until 7:30 pm. September 1 and is National Food Bank Day and kicks off Labor Day Weekend. So, stop by the Topeka Art Guild, bring a can of food so we can donate it to Let’s Help on your behalf and join us for a casual First Friday with lemonade and snacks. View multiple local artists who happen to be art teachers in our local schools.

"Art teaches nothing except the significance of life." ~Henry Miller

They make sure your children grow their creativity and lower their stress levels by creating imaginative activities for young learners. Art introduces students to problem solving techniques and helps them see the world in new ways and provides access to creative ways of learning. Art teachers are essential. Sam Newcomb will be the window artist.

--AUGUST Newsletter

MISC:

Our window artist will be Lila Bartell.

Drawing table for Sale CHEAP

If interested contact Ruth Powers at 785-383-1587

Featured Window Artists:

All items must be priced to sell therefore artwork should be clean, matted, wrapped or in frames. Pieces should not exceed 11 × 14 in size. Wrapped greeting cards are acceptable, as is jewelry, pottery, basketry, fiber arts, mosaics, sculpture, etc. Thanks to Courtney Armstrong to volunteering to judge art in Holton on TAG’s behalf.

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Fun Fact:

In doing research for a donation request, Marie Plinsky discovered that the first time TAG ran a Kansans Paint Kansas was 1917! And the first time TAG offered prize money was 1950! Goes to show we have a long and storied history to be proud of as we have moved into this century.

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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NEW MEMBERS:

Nancy Goodard, Mark Hahn, April Spicer APRIL 2023 Newsletter

Meredith Kucera, Adisyn Stofer, Lee Wolgast MAY 2023 Newsletter

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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Leslie Carson Wolf...Sasha Holladay...Rachel VanHoozier.  JULY 2023 Newsletter

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OPPORTUNITIES OUTSIDE THE GUILD

Opportunity to hang your art

The Bank Barbershop, located on the west side of the big bank building downtown, has hung art for a number of years. There are 8 to 10 spaces (size determined by where the nails are--they're not moveable). The hairdressers are quite friendly and welcome new art; and you can leave them there for several months if you want to. They don't take a commission. TAG members who have hung there recently are Jewell Willhite, Dorethy Hancock and Shirley Akers. To make arrangements, call Dorethy Hancock, 785-246-0860.

—February 2023 Newsletter

Lawrence’s Art in the Park

Applications open for Art in the Park To be: September 16th and 17th. 2023 Deadline to apply is May 31st, 2023

The application can be found at:

https://www.zapplication.org/event-info.php?ID=11143

Contact Roura Young at rourasue@gmail.com if you have questions!

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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PAINTING

The hanging committee is about to embark on the annual gallery wall painting: sparkling a year’s-worth of nail holes and freshening up the room with new paint. This time, a change of “furniture” is also planned, and we may need a little extra help from able bodies. If you could put in a couple of hours, please call Dorethy Hancock for details. The Gallery belongs to so many of us. Please help the few who usually do the grunt work to keep it beautiful! Thank you!” JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

From Dorethy Hancock

If you like our new gallery facelift, thank our hard-working crew who worked several days to make it happen: Dorethy Hancock, Marie Plinsky, John Riordan, Mark Clarke, Joe Hernandez, Doug Sheafor, Mike Locke, Sherrie Dick and Debbie Wagner. In the past, we often changed the interior moveable walls but had not done so recently. That, plus fresh coats of paint and the placement of the gift shop to the back (as all galleries and museums do around the world), has made a breathtaking change.

Invite your friends for a visit.

—FEBRUARY Newsletter

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PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

I hope everyone had a great holiday season.

I do know that our loyal member, John Riodan had a terrible Christmas and every day since then. His beautiful old home burned early Christmas morning. Several members have already left or taken donations and cards to him. He does have a storage unit free for six months to keep salvaged items safe and dry until he has a plan for the future.

Our December sales were terrific. A dream is that every month would be the same. I happened to be working in the morning on the First Friday. I had three people waiting to pay.

Soon the gallery will be painted and furniture will be moved to new locations. This hasn't happened in a good long time. But will be fun to see the new look!

Marie.  JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Reflection

Some things Merriam Webster has to say:

- The return of light for sound waves from a surface - Careful thought

I hope you are busy getting your REFLECTION on paper, canvas, fabric, board or in your camera view finder. This should be a fun show (my auto correct changed it to a fine show); I'm sure that will be true also.

I think the new gallery arrangement has been a big success. Thanks to all the helpers.

Happy Arting, Marie

FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

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MARIE PLINSKY, TAG CHAIR, NOTED THAT THE REFLECTIONS SHOW WAS EXCELLENT. MARK RALSTON WAS THE JUDGE AND HIS STATEMENT ON HOW HE SELECTED THE WINNERS IS HANGING IN THE GALLERY. SHE NOTED IT IS ALWAYS FASCINATING TO LEARN JUST HOW THOSE SELECTIONS ARE MADE.

SHE WANTS TO THANK JOE HERNANDEZ, KATHLEEN COBB, SHERRIE DICK, AND COURTNEY ANDERSON FOR ALL THEY DID TO MAKE FIRST FRIDAY A HUGE SUCCESS.

—April 2023 Newsletter

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Marie Plinsky Chair’s Corner

Welcome to our new BOARD Members: Courtney Armstrong, Aric Harrington, Melanie Hutchinson, and Jancy Pettit. New perspectives are always good.

Thank you to the Members going off the Board for their time and service:

Charles Benton, Kathleen Cobb, Leanne Kilmer and Anne Kufhal

I'm so sorry I missed the Annual Meeting, but my husband was in the hospital after having a heart attack. I'm happy to report that he is home and doing well.

The Board Members stepped up with about three hours’ notice to pull together the last-minute details. Another reason that a strong reliable Board is necessary.

Thank You All – I can tell from the pictures it was fun!

—MAY 2023 Newsletter

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Marie Plinsky

The Chair’s Corner

Thank you to the new members on the Board. I hope in the next few months we will be successful in locating sponsors for our events. I hope all members will help the Fund-Raising Group with suggestions. We continue to need to draw funds from our investments. If members have class(es) they are interested in taking. or would like to teach, please let me know. Offering classes is an easy way for the Guild to make money and to continue to educate.

—JUNE 2023 Newsletter

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Marie Plinsky The Chair’s Corner

Good morning,

It's a wonderful time to be a member of TAG. Many fun events are coming soon. For the first time, we are partnering with the Seratoma Club in their Duck Race. You can already go online and buy Ducks, the cute little yellow ones with sunglasses. Soon we will have paper adoption certificates in the gallery. Link to buy Ducks: Sertoma Clubs of Topeka Duck Race: teams:

Topeka Art Guild Did you know that you can rent the gallery for your personal events? Cynthia is renting the gallery for a party in August. In May, the Bangalore's used the gallery for a graduation party. A fun way for the gallery to make a bit of money and show TAG to your friends.

Marie. -- JULY 2023 Newsletter

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Recently I reminded all Members that the Gallery could be rented for events. Cynthia Stotlar Hedberg took that suggestion one step farther and hosted her 70th Birthday FUNdraiser in the gallery. This event put the FUN back in Fundraiser with music, hula hoops, dancing, and food. I'm thrilled to say Cynthia, her family, friends, and TAG Members paid our rent for September. What a wonderful gift to TAG.

We are still partnering with Sertoma Club in the Adopt a Duck Fundraiser. Ducks can be adopted in the gallery until September 9. The online Adoption are available until 10:00 a.m. on September 16. The Duck release is at Lake Shawnee if you want to watch the fun of 1000's of Ducks bringing set free. Ducks Adoptions start at $5.00 and go up, so we hope all Members can buy at least one Duck.

--AUGUST 2023 Newsletter

SCHOLARSHIP

Art Guild Scholarship Program

We are pleased to announce Topeka's Art Guild & Gallery Annual $1000 Cash Scholarship program will once again be held. The Guild is pleased to be able to offer this program that honors our mission. A $1000 Scholarship winner and two runner-up winners will be selected.

Entries need to be in by APRIL 15, 2023. The Scholarship form is included in the newsletter. Please share this information with interested high school seniors.

TOPEKA ART GUILD

2023 ART SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION due April 15, 2023

One $1000 Cash Scholarship awarded to a Topeka Area High School Senior. Winners will be invited to display their work for one month the Topeka Art Guild. Two runner-up scholarships will also be awarded.

Selected works from all entrants, not only the winners, will have entry pieces included in a juried display over the summer months.

Scholarship Monetary Awards may be announced in the Topeka Art Guild & Gallery on May’s First Friday and the Red Couch Show on WIBW.

(Form included in MARCH 2023 Newsletter)

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Scholarships Awarded to High School Students

One way Topeka Art Guild honors its mission is by offering three scholarships to local high school students who are going to pursue art as part of their career. They have to submit examples of their work, an essay, a recommendation letter, and their transcripts to apply. This year, the scholarship money is given in honor of Louise Pansy Byrd, the grandmother of one of our artist’s, Cynthia Byrd Stotlar-Hedberg. Pansy was a self-taught artist who inspired Cynthia’s artistic endeavors. Cynthia is paying it forward by funding the scholarships as she did in 2022.

This year’s entrants were: 

Meredith KuceraWashburn Rural High School First Prize$1000 Scholarship

Courtney Lankford Royal Valley High School

Victor W Organista Royal Valley High School

Adisyn Stofer Christian Academy Third prize$300 Scholarship

Leena TurnerJefferson West High School

Lee WolgastWashburn Rural Hight School Second Prize$500 Scholarship

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

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SHOWS:

Spring Show Theme

The Executive Committee has agreed that in order to spark some fresh interest in the Spring Juried Show (April-May), we will have a THEME for the entries. We often did this in the past, and people seemed to enjoy it. A well-considered theme can open the field wide, thus creating potential for much imagination on the part of each artist. I hope you will have fun with our theme this time: "Reflection."

You have two months to think of something that fits into that broad category. .....................One, two, three,.....GO!

(p.s. If you honestly cannot imagine ANYTHING that could possibly fit this category, we will not turn away honest entries:- -just know that it will be a much more interesting show if view- ers can peruse the art and see how the theme is interpreted in different ways by different individuals. Don't be shy!)"

- Dorethy Hancock

—JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Announcing the 2023 Spring Show at the Topeka Art Guild Gallery

Reflection

Please read the prospectus on the TAG website.

Spring Show Theme

The Executive Committee has agreed that in order to spark some fresh interest in the Spring Juried Show (April-May), we will have a THEME for the entries. We often did this in the past, and people seemed to enjoy it. A well-considered theme can open the field wide, thus creating po- tential for much imagination on the part of each artist. I hope you will have fun with our theme this time: "Reflection."

You have two months to think of something that fits into that broad category.

One, two, three,.....GO!

p.s. If you honestly cannot imagine ANYTHING that could possibly fit this category, we will not turn away honest entries--just know that it will be a much more interesting show if viewers can peruse the art and see how the theme is interpreted in different ways by different individuals.

Don't be shy!

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

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Reflections, our upcoming show April 2nd, will be judged by Mark Ralston.

He is in his 40th year teaching high school Art at Jefferson West High School in Meriden Kansas. He was awarded the Secondary Art Teacher of the Year in 2019 by the Kansas Art Education Association. At Emporia State University, Mr. Ralston received a BFA in Ceramics and Masters of Art/Master Teacher degree with an emphasis in Ceramics and Photography. Mark creates original wheel-thrown ceramics in his home studio in North Topeka. His ceramics have received many accolades from art exhibitions and art fairs. Mr. Ralston has been honored to jury many area high school league art shows, and is currently a photographer for Topeka Civic Theater and Helen Hacker Theater. Mark Ralston’s Artist Statement: When it comes down to it, ART is all around us and is an act of communication that can be experienced through the process of creating or by interacting with art as a viewer. The “highest quality to your moments” is so true. The act of creating art is such a joyous process for me. I also love the history of Art and love viewing how artist currently and throughout history have approached the creative process. I have had the honor of C sharing my passion and knowledge of Art with my students. This brings me boundless joy.

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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The April Reflections Juried Show was fabulous. I hope everyone had a chance to see it in person as a few pictures certainly won’t do it justice. Our judge was Mark Ralston. His entire review of each piece is hanging in the gallery.

He says: “When it comes down to it, ART is all around us and is an act of communication that can be experienced through the process of creating or by interacting with art as a viewer. My favorite quote on art is from Walter Pater: "Art comes to you proposing frankly to give nothing but the highest quality to your moments as they pass."

The “highest quality to your moments” is so true. The act of creating art is such a joyous process for me. I also love the history of Art and love viewing how artists currently and throughout history have approached the creative process. I have had the honor of sharing my passion and knowledge of Art with my students. This brings me boundless Anyone attending the show was certainly filled with joy start to finish.

His selections were:

First Prize to April Spicers 1965 Shelby Cobra

Second Place to Kelly Dillinger’s Reflecting on the Lesson

Third Prize to Mark Clark’s Boreal Illusion

Honorable Mentions to Kathleen Cobb,Katie Morris, Suzi Smith and Naomi Cashman

—APRIL 2023 Newsletter

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Kansans DO Kansas Show

Call for Art for Kansas Show. 

This show is open to all Kansas artists. Limit of three pieces per artist. All entries must follow these guidelines:

Original works are to be:

• Done by entry artist in Kansas. 
• Not have been previously shown at TAG.
• Original art done from imagination or your own photos not art on web, in magazines or others’ photos not your own. • Not done in a class/workshop.
• Presented with entry form and entry fees.
• Have proper hanging wires attached if 2-D. Improperly wired items will be rejected, with no refund of entry fee. 
• Created within 24 months of Entry Day Oct 1, 2-4 pm 

Entry Day is October 1st from 2-4 pm

Entry Fee to enter Show, First Entry $15.00. Second and third piece $10.00 each. Limit of 3 pieces per artist.

Student Entry Fee, $5.00 each with a limit of 3 pieces.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

First Friday will be October 6th 5-8 pm

Awards will be announced and presented on First Friday

First Place: $300.00
Second Place: $200.00
Third Place: $100.00

Show closes Nov. 25, 2023

--AUGUST 2023 Newsletter

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STAFFING THE GALLERY

NOTES FOR STAFFERS

• There is now a chain that should be used to hold the front door open instead of the wood or plastic wedge. Way easier.

• The Square point of sale charge card system is ready to use. The booklet on the desk has printed instructions. It would be good to find a card "that you would love to buy" and try the system while you are without a customer.

• If you can't get the Square to work, the old system will continue to work for a short period of time. Please feel free to come another day when other members are working, two heads are better than one.

• There have been a great deal of issues with sales tickets not being filled out correctly or completely. Taped to the desk is an example to help you figure this out.

• Using the key box at the front door. Please make sure that the number dials are changed from our "secret code" numbers before you leave the area.

--JANUARY 2023 Newsletter

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STUDENT SHOWS:

For the first time in the TAG Gallery, we will welcome student art from Jackson Heights High School in Mrch. Scholarship applications for high school seniors are available on the TAG webpage. Deadline to appiy is April 15.

—FEBRUARY 2023 Newsletter

A big thanks to Jackson Heights of Holton and Royal Valley of Hoyt for their recent art displays. We received significant positive feedback. Our next school displays for April will be the Art Departments of MaterDei and Hayden High School.

—MARCH 2023 Newsletter

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