Elgin Arts Association™
EAA August 2007 News
Booth Location: If artists will note "ELGIN ARTIST" on their vendor application, these booths will be placed together. Booth Fees: Regarding discounted booth fees, Amy said the best alternative for this year is for artists to consider sharing space and sharing the cost of the booth. The festival committee may consider other options for 2008. (Art booth fees are $100 before October 1, $125 after October 1) The Hogeye Festival committee hopes there will be great participation from Elgin artists. They have been trying to improve the quality of the product at the festival and have eliminated most vendors with re-sale or mass produced merchandise, although that is an ongoing battle. The festival always needs volunteers too! If you'd like to serve on the Hogeye Festival committee or if you'd like to help overall, contact Amy Miller at 281-5724 (email: amiller@ci.elgin.tx.us).
August 2007 Meeting Minutes and Update
We had a very productive meeting August 16, 2007. Cheridah Vaughn, Treasurer, gave an update on memberships received and the status of EAA's 501(c)(3) application. The plan is to have the application submitted at the end of this month so our federal non-profit status will be in place by the end of September. Cheridah also informed members that EAA has opened a checking account at Frontier Bank of Texas. Good news - Frontier has agreed to waive the monthly fees for the association. We received several new membership forms during the meeting. The Secretary will begin compiling a database in preparation of creating a membership directory.
Art/Economic Development Meeting
The group discussed the recent Economic Development meeting that focused on branding Elgin as an arts destination. On behalf of EAA, Vice President Greg Silkenson attended the meeting, as well as Events Committee member Ava Barker. Greg wasn't able to attend the August 16 EAA meeting, but provided notes from the economic development meeting. He feels the one-hour meeting went well, a positive attitude was present and assignments were made. Ten people attended. (EAA, AASES, Main St., Parks, City, Art in Elgin). Greg reported that a separate area for "local artists" at Hog Eye was agreed upon and encouraged. They expect 20,000 people. The EAA is encouraged to contact middle and high school art teachers to ask how we can help them and/or students and if they want to join EAA. EAA was asked to create a list of artist resources in the community. The list would consist of businesses and individuals that can talk to visitors and people interested in moving to or visiting Elgin. The Chamber or realtors might use the list. We can recruit new members via these contacts. EAA can recruit public school teachers that are new to the district. EAA can develop rack cards to be located at business, schools, and the Chamber to show what we do and what we are about (shows, classes, TxO etc.). Another economic development meeting is planned in a month to report on what has been accomplished.
Dave Warner was also present at the economic development meeting representing Art in Elgin and the Elgin Art Walks. The schedule for Art Walks has been set for the second Saturday of each month in March, April, May and June as well as September, October and November, and the first Saturday in December. Dave said that one of the challenges in drawing visitors to the downtown area is signage. Dave Warner and Amy Miller are planning a presentation to TxDOT to address this issue.
Upcoming Events
There are several upcoming events in Elgin that all artists are encouraged to participate in.
Elgin Art Walks - beginning October 13, 2007
The question was raised of how artists that do not have storefronts could participate in the Art Walks. Dave said that local businesses would be approached to "sponsor" artists (i.e., display their work, possibly host the artist for demonstration/performances during the Art Walks.) We will keep you posted on the progress of this endeavor. In the meantime, if you have any ideas on promoting Art Walks and local artists please feel free to share.
Pearls Art Show - Thursday, October 25
All Elgin artists are encouraged to participate. The application fee is $20 (per artist, not per piece entered). Detailed information is provided on the Pearls Art Show application form. The application form is available on line at: http://www.elgintx.com/documents/PearlsApplication07.pdf or you may contact Cheridah Vaughn at 281-3805 or 232-4963. A silent auction is conducted during the Pearls Art Show to raise funds for the scholarship program. Artists are also encouraged to submit a piece to the auction to help further the success of this endeavor. Several members of the Pearls Art Show committee were present at the August 16 EAA meeting. There is a growing consensus that the Pearls Art Show should fall under the EAA "umbrella". With the positive energy of the EAA members, this would be a win-win situation for all. Gary Newton is planning a meeting of the Pearls Art Show committee to discuss and approve the transition. If the transition is approved by the Pearls committee and then by EAA, we will be looking for volunteers. The show is just over two months away and there will be a lot of work to do to make it the best ever. The question was raised about area high school student participation in the Pearls Art Show. Cheridah explained some problems in the past with students getting their work to the show, and that the high-school student participation is currently on hold.
Hogeye Festival - October 27, 2007
As mentioned above, a separate area for "local artists" at Hog Eye was agreed upon and encouraged. With all of us grouped together, participation in this festival could make quite a statement. A question was posed regarding incentives for Elgin artists to participate, such as reduced booth fees. Another question was how the show coordinators would know when an application was from a local artist. EAA Board members will contact the Hogeye Festival coordinators to discuss these issues and will inform you of the outcome.
Events Committee Presentation
Our Events Committee, Sarah Page, Ava Barker and
Elizabeth Sullivan conducted a brainstorming session. The handout
provided by the committee is attached to this e-mail for those who
weren't able to attend the meeting. The purpose of the brainstorming
session is to come up with ideas for future EAA activities. The
committee members called for suggestions from attendees, and their
request was met with great enthusiasm. Some of the ideas included:
Participation in Pearls Art Show A Spring Art Show Including a
Children's Art Show (possibly in the Spring Show) with judging/prizes A
"Coffee House" with performing arts such as music, poetry reading, etc.
Performances such as Plays / Skits Puppetry (where puppets created in a
class are paraded with puppet shows at various stops) Art on the Spot
"Chalk on the Sidewalk" art activity Art Show or Display with a Theme
(theme somehow related to Elgin) Collaborate Public Art Project
(Downtown Beautification) Programs conducted during EAA meetings (i.e.,
guest speaker on certain topics, member demonstrations) Don't let the
ideas stop here! If you come up with an idea, write it down (unless
you're driving, Sarah says), then please be sure to send an e-mail! Our
events committee members can be reached at the following e-mail
addresses:
Ava Barker -
e3bccs@sbcglobal.net
Elizabeth Sullivan -
ecsullivanart@aol.com
Sarah
Page - earth_sing@yahoo.com
Events Committee Brainstorming Session - 8/16/07
Closing remarks
A draft survey was compiled by Susan Snelson and a copy was sent to the EAA e-mail list. The survey will be distributed to the residents of Elgin. Susan is asking that you look over the survey and, if you notice anything that needs to be changed or you think of something that you feel should be added, please let her know. Her e-mail address is susansnelson@aol.com. The next meeting of the Elgin Arts Association is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Thursday, September 20 at the First National Bank meeting room. A reminder and an agenda will be sent as the date nears. As always, if you have an item for discussion at an upcoming meeting, please let us know and we'll be happy to add it to the agenda. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact any Board member. For more information please contact Lynette Hampton at 512-278-0150 or 512-652-7725.