Getting Involved in Your Local Art Group
The benefits of joining your local art group are numerous and well, truly invaluable. You are joining, communicating and gaining experiences, growth, and making connections with other local fine artists and crafters - from professional to beginners - and sharing your love of art with and learning from them.
Front entrance of Open Space Arts at Stonebridge art gallery in Woodbridge, VA
Benefits of Joining an Art Group
Front entrance of Open Space Arts at Stonebridge art gallery in Woodbridge, VA
Art Benefits Include:
- Making a name for yourself close to home
- Learn about upcoming art shows and exhibits, and Calls for Art
- Be inspired, rejuvenated, and build camaraderie with other artists
- Take part in art competitions
- Potential workshops and/or class participation
- Potential ability to display artwork in the art group's studio, gallery, shows, etc.
- Attend various art exhibitions, museums - art "field trips"
- Potential "Featured Artist" or "Artist of the Month" or voted "Best in Show"
- Networking with people in your local art world
- Build friendships
- Show off, share, and teach what you know and do
- Possibility to enter various art events as a group member with less expense than being a solo artist
- The art group's promotion and social media, advertising and marketing for art events means exposure for you as well
The Make-up of the Art Group
Sample Duties of Executive Board
President: Chairs the Executive Board and presides at all meetings of the society. The President shall convene at least 6 Executive Board Meetings each year. Prepares agendas for all general membership meetings and Executive Board meetings: delegates responsibilities and assigns tasks to Executive Board members; monitors status and completion of those tasks, provides signature on legal documents; serves as liaison between public, other organizations, and the Society. Coordinates functions with other offices.
Vice President: Acts as the assistant to the President and fulfills the duties of the President in her/his absence. The Vice President acts as liaison with Committee Chairpersons, and with society members.
Secretary: Records minutes and attendees of executive Board Meetings, and general membership meetings. In addition, the Secretary takes care of correspondence as requested by the Board. The Secretary should maintain a current copy of the by-laws with any amendments noted and any special rules adopted by the organization.
Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive all Society funds, deposit them in a Virginia bank and pay all bills out of this account. The Treasurer shall present a brief report at each meeting of the Society Revenues and Expenses. The Treasurer should assist in preparing for the Annual Budget. Among other duties are renewal of the yearly Corporation license, the Liability Insurance and the renewal of dues to Prince William Art Council. Maintains an inventory list and location of all Society property.
Member-at-Large: The Member-at-Large should be elected by the members to represent their interest at the Executive Board level.
Benefits of Volunteering
- Meet other artists that you will learn from and engage with. You know artists are a creative bunch, so you will meet some highly motivated, creative people to bounce ideas off of and perhaps borrow ideas from.
- Volunteering sure looks good on the resume, especially if you are out of work.
- Working with other art volunteers in these art groups opens up some opportunities that you may not be able to do on your own and potentially be less expense. True, doing a solo art show means that your sales are your own, but after exhibition space fees, a tent, tables, display stands and all the work involved with setup and take down, being in an art group distributes the load and costs. Everyone pitches in to get the job done.
- Learn more about the business of art.
- Any artist needs to get out of the studio on occasion and turn the "starving artist" or "lonely artist" myth into a more active and social art life.
- Most art groups have their own websites and social media sites which can provide ways to be seen and linked.
- Getting asked to do a demo may offer benefits as well.
- It's good for the soul - health benefits too!
- And much more.
Individuals that decide to join an art group will need to drop the ego at the door. Encouraging each other, learning, growing, and helping inexperienced artists are on the to do list. It is not a competition. You are not joining to be an art critic nor be criticized. Being a prima donna isn't being part of the team and the art group needs to function as a team with everyone pulling duty in one way or another.
Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge - Open Space Arts, 15000 #140 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA on Wednesday - Saturdays 12-7pm and Sundays from 12 to 5 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic
painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects.
Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, Donna's Etsy site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings. An Open Space Art Committee Member.
The current Event Chair of PWAS, Open Space Art Committee Member, and an accomplished artist in Woodbridge, Virginia
Donna Liguria
