Message from the President
I am sitting down to write this message on Black Friday and, this year, it really is a black Friday in so many ways. Both in world and health situations but also personally. This morning, I got a phone call from a favourite client saying that he has just been diagnosed with the virus and is not doing well. I got an email from my Face Painting boss saying that the Christmas Parties that had been booked over a year ago have all been cancelled this year and, this afternoon, my 16+ year old pup "Pip" is going to her final sleep. This is a day I will remember.
I totally understand that these are unprecedented times and I am actually glad that all the events had been cancelled as I would never want to be responsible for causing anyone illness, but the fact that it's going to be a day to remember is what concerns me. We all remember where we were when 9-11 struck or when Princess Diana had her fatal car crash, or even when John Lennon was shot (for some of us old enough...) as all of these were tragedies. Are tragedies easier to remember? Oh my, I have started this message as a real downer...I apologize.
I need to remember that there have been many good things that have happened this year! Last month's first ever Zoom critique meeting went very well! We did have a couple glitches in that about 3 people were not able to get in but we've figured out a solution and everyone should find it easy to log on this month. Please see PROGRAM below for all the details! Thank you to Rick Rogers for giving an excellent critique. We feel that critiques work very well in the Zoom format so we will be doing one every second month for the next while. So dig out those paintings that are giving you issues and have their images ready for January!
Another event to remember is that our beautiful book "Edmonton - Through the Eyes of its Artists" was published and over 450 families are enjoying it! We are very close to selling out the second run so if you want to purchase any for holiday gifting, please go to the website https://www.swcartists.ca. We hope to have this run sell out before the new year and then we'll start thinking about a 3rd run in early 2021.
The Exhibition Committee has been busy with several shows this year. Our Misericordia show has been extended and it's so nice to know that Misericordia patients, staff and visitors are able to enjoy it that much longer (and hopefully more sales will result because of this extension). This is a good thing too!
Over the year, I have heard from members sharing their personal achievements. Myrna's story in the last newsletter was inspiring, David Shone has finished a book of his family's history (over 1000 pages!), John Labots and Carol Pylipow have both been successful in selling their houses and finding new ones, Anita has started the idea of putting together a show highlighting our back alley beauty, and many more. All good things, and I will concentrate on those, rather than my one day of sorrow.
Does anyone have more good news stories to share? Please send them into swcameeting@gmail.com. I'll spread them into the next few newsletters and thus lifting our member's spirits during the colder months.
I wish you a warm and cozy holiday season. Please stay safe and healthy – when we are finally able to meet in person again, we want to see everyone!
Take care -
Eveline Garneau, SWCA President
December Zoom Meeting
Monday, December 14th - December ZOOM Gathering 6:45 pm - 9pm (ish)
Dress up in your Christmas finery (from the waist up), grab a hot chocolate and join in! The evening will include a quick talk from our featured artist, a general member chit chat session, a mini art exchange,and an art awareness game created by Harry Abbink and John Labots with a $50 gift certificate prize to The Paint Spot up for grabs!! You will need to be familiar with the Zoom Chat function to participate – and you might want to brush up on your art history. Should be both educational and fun! Official ZOOM invitations will come in a separate email prior to the meeting.
Mini Art Exchange
As in past years during our Christmas gathering, we have had such fun doing a mini art exchange and we feel it can happen again this year. It will be done a bit differently though so if you are interested in taking part - here are the guidelines:
1. All work must be original (no prints), and can be any medium/style.
2. All work should not exceed 5" x 7" in size.
3. The number of paintings put in (max 3) is the number of paintings you will receive back.
4. Email a good quality image of the work, and your name to swcameeting@gmail.com and in the subject line, please put "ART EXCHANGE".
5. When we get your image(s), we will reply to you with a "ticket" number(s), depending on how many you put in. Those numbers will be put into a hat. As a painting is shown on screen, a ticket will be drawn and the ticket holder will win that painting. If you are that winner, please unmute your microphone and let us know! Should you "win" your own painting, please let us know RIGHT AWAY so we can put your number back in and draw another ticket.
6. Make note of the artist(s) of the painting(s) you won. If you want it right away, it will be up to you to contact them through the membership listing in our website swcartist.ca and arrange to pick your painting up from them. OR you can make contact and arrange to make the exchange when we finally are able to meet again at the church.
7. During the whole process, members can "chat" their opinions of the paintings. Share good thoughts!
8. All entries must be received by the end of day, Friday, December 11th.
Social Media – Instagram Opportunity
We are working on raising SWCA's profile on social media! Currently, we have a Facebook group page which provides an open discussion forum for interested members as well as the general public (moderated by SWCA).
Our next goal is to populate an Instagram gallery page for SWCA and its membership.
If you are interested in benefiting from the exposure the largest, most popular art social tool available to artists, please forward your images to swcaInstagram@gmail.com.
Please note, SWCA does not take responsibility for copyright related issues associated with any social media site (Facebook, Instagram etc). If an artist has concerns, the addition of a copyright or text watermark to the image is recommended prior to submitting it to swcaInstagram@gmail.com. The placement of this watermark should be discreet and not seriously hamper the viewing of the image.
If you would like to learn more about copyright issues on these common social media platforms, please consult the following links and FAQs:
https://www.facebook.com/help/1020633957973118/
https://help.instagram.com/477434105621119/?helpref=hc_fnav&bc[0]=Instagram%20Help&bc[1]=Privacy%20and%20Safety%20Center
Meghana Gauthier, Social Media Coordinator
SWCA Exhibitions
Misericordia Exhibition
The Misericordia Show that is now hanging has been extended to February 3, 2021.
