President’s Message and April 2016 Newsletter
Hello Fellow Painters,
It’s hard to believe that almost four months of the year have passed and we are heading towards our first big fund-raising event for the year – the Unframed Sale at the Floreat Forum on May 7th. It is a great opportunity to show off our talent to the general public, to raise funds for the society, and for art-lovers to purchase high quality art at unframed prices. The success of the day relies on all of us contributing, so please add your name to the list of contributors!
Our pastel year began with a bang – the visit to Perth by Master Pastellist (PSA), Stan Sperlak. And what a visit it was, beginning with a record turnout of members to see his Monday demonstration and followed by his 2-day workshops later the same week. It was a successful event for the Society on all counts.
Feedback from participants was excellent and we were all inspired and refreshed by Stan’s generosity and positive teaching approach. While the work and organisation involved for these kinds of activities is always considerable, we all agreed that it is important for our society to continue to look for opportunities to bring artists of note to Perth. We are now beginning to build our finances so that this can happen in the future – and every little bit of fund-raising helps! Your society is now, in 2016, the largest ever, with around 110 financial members and growing.
Monday nights (north of the river) and Tuesday afternoons (south of the river) continue to see many members joining together to paint and share ideas. But there is always room for additional members so, if you haven’t been for a while come and share your latest artwork with friends and a cup of coffee. Got a painting problem? Then share it with our expert pastellists who are always willing to give advice and critiques in a warm and encouraging atmosphere.
Where else could you get such masterful advice for free!
By the time this newsletter reaches you, we will have our new committee for 2016. Many thanks to Val Brooks, Rayma Reany, Lee Calley, Mark Thornton, our newsletter editor Karyn Platt and committee members who have so willingly agreed to provide the expert guidance and experience for your society over the next 12 months. As you know, I have stepped down from the President’s position for family reasons so this is my last letter to you all. I leave with considerable thanks to my colleagues who worked with me over the past two years and to all of you, the members, who make the job of President an easier one than it might otherwise be. I can honestly say I have enjoyed almost every minute of it. Let’s continue to work together to make this a flourishing and welcoming society for anyone wishing to pursue pastel painting.
Yours in art.
Adrianne
