October General Meeting and Potluck:

Hi All,

 If you missed the General Meeting at Bonnie's home, you missed a wonderful, warm evening with good food, fun and lots of new information about candidates for the upcoming board elections, as well as some new concepts for TAO! As always, we have been working hard to make this organization one that artists and supporters of artists want to be an active part of.

  Here are some notes from the meeting: 

There were 2 handouts, one with circles, which represented TAO and our vision of things we want to see and create in TAO, and a questionaire about our vision for TAO now, and in coming years. On the back, we were asked to write about our experiences and thoughts on the studio tour, including preferred dates to have it, feedback and then we discussed it, everyone having a voice.

John Staple talked about the beginning of the organization, the many great intentions for forming TAO, then talked a little bit about Jenette Normer, who has come to us to advise us on  our organization, who has lots of experience with 501C-3s and has worked with the deaf, with getting grants and who brings knowledge, joy and awareness of greater forces at work in the world and how they affect us. She will be working with us to assist in making this a great organization.

 Ty Hannigan spoke about the members being concerned about not having enough of a voice in TAO decision making, and the time constraints we've had in making decisions which had immediate deadlines.

Now that we are a 501C-3 ~ "there are many requirements we must follow, but we are also artists and will work above and beyond those".

NEXT GENERAL MEETING AT JOSIE'S ON NOV. 3rd

Most of the members present talked about the Studio Tour. We gathered the written comments and will post them soon. There were quite a few thoughts on the best dates for the studio tour, on being our own event draw, on not having it during the "High Road Tour", especially, and having north and south weekends so that the artists themselves can attend the studio tour. 

 It was brought up about artists who don't have studios close by, having a venue to show at and a place for our receptions.

 We also need a fundraiser we can advertise for, special events week...

 

We talked about having an "Art Tour", about a whole week of TAO events to draw lots of people, especially hands on art workshops or camps, jam packed with exciting things and enrichment to draw people here.

Candidates for Board of Directors: 

Sandra Richardson, (aka Zandi), is running for the board and spoke about "artists being the life blood of Taos", about making TAO a "tour de force" in the world. She is also our new Promotions Director and is seeking people who have a passion for press and promoting to be on this committee. Zandi@taosnet.com

  Zandi has written for the "Horsefly" for 3  years, has owned her own galleries in Taos and recently showed her fabulous designs at the "Arte' Descartes" recycled fashion show, which happens every year at the Stable's Gallery and is a riot!  

 

Jon Greenley, who is presently on the board  and is up for another term. He must love it, because he still wants to be on it! He says he is " high on TAO, I really enjoy it". And you will see Jon on every project, working his patootie off. He is a "Tour de Force"!

Laurie Bortner is running for the board, as well and currently heads up the Grant Writing and Education Committees. She is working with the kids, doing art projects for free and is writing for grants for more projects. Laurie also took it upon herself to list TAO events in many places we needed to be listed in, for the Studio Tour. Thank you, Laurie.

Ty recognizes Suzanne, whose seat is up for election, will be greatly missed, as she is a voice of reason and perception, has been a great part of TAO, and to David Vedoe, as well, who is one of our founders and who put in countless hours for TAO, networking, laboring for events and sharing his ideas. And Jon, who is still with us, and we hope will stay on..... who is invaluable.

Announcements: 

*Tom talked about www.gofigurative.com, a place to post your artwork for free, and if you want to post it to sell, it's only $8.00 and 20% if it sells.

*Ty is doing a site for taosartist.org on Facebook, where artists can post their work also for free. 

*Bonnie is one of the reps for Art in Town Hall and put out a call for art, for the Jan. 15th show

*Laurie says empty real estate can be a good place for shows

Sylvia asked about members who do not participate, what to do about them?

 John had a good answer: "People who do show up have a voice and are more empowered and involved in the direction we are going in. Inactive? We're not interested in reactive. If you criticize and are not active, you're not helping in direction."

We are starting the planning for next year's studio tour early, if you have ideas and want to lead an event, workshop or camp, please let us know soon. 

 We will be doing ongoing promotions, so please send info to zandi@taosnet.com, if you have received and award, your accomplishments, etc. We want to promote TAO artists. Some artists were mentioned for their winning at the Taos Open this year and were mentioned on the Facebook site for taosartist.org, and others asked why they were not mentioned. Sometimes we do not know, so let us know, please, let everyone know! We're proud of you and congratulate you for your excellent work!