What I Would Like to See at PWAS
An Editorial Post. The Prince William Art Society is a 501(c)3 non-profit group of artists in Prince William County, Virginia that started back in 1971. PWAS will be voting for a new board in October 2023 as we do, every 2 years, and these are my thoughts as well as a few of other members on where we would like to see PWAS go, into the future.
This is a large post, so go grab a coffee (or wine), and let's go...
A Bit of PWAS History
The Prince William Art Society (PWAS) is over 50 years old. The artists styles, mediums and experience levels vary, as well as including photographers, digital artists and sculptors. Since the beginning, the membership has increased and decreased consistently over the years for many reasons and seasons. As is normal in Northern Virginia, as people work, grow, and retire, they do often move on.
About PWAS - a History of a Prince William Count Art Group
This isn't the first time PWAS has been without a gallery and it may not be the last. Unless someone donates big money or PWAS did a lot of fundraising and planning, an actual ownership of a PWAS Gallery space is an ambitious future. My wish is that we could generate enough funding and income to support our very own location for a gallery space. It would be a place that the art group could meet, have classes, have art shows, contests, an art shop, perhaps studio space, and grow within the community. It would be in proximity of restaurants, shopping, and have great parking. It just seems like it does not have to be just a wish.
PWAS has gained a TON of knowledge and experience in the last few years so it is in our best interests to USE that knowledge NOW. We can have a beautiful ongoing future IF the entire membership, or at the very least, the majority of members jumps in with excitement and love of the arts, their belief in this group, and the will to ensure PWAS takes the steps to accomplish our goals (and maybe wishes, too).
PWAS should be making and leaving footprints all across Prince William County, creating an art culture for the county into a living, breathing, growing and spectacular thing. That means PWAS needs YOU.
Members with Leadership Skills
The bi-annual election process for the PWAS Board is coming up shortly. Those now in the positions can run again or new members may step up and throw their hat in the ring. We'll be voting on all Board positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, the Arts Council Representative (PWCAC Liason) and the PWAS Member at Large.
We always need great, art passionate people in each role, with some great skill sets, and the desire to succeed. It is advised by "Art Group" articles that a Board member should have (some?) the following, but not limited to any of these experiences and qualities:
- Networking skills
- Great business associations and acumen
- Marketing and/or legal experience
- Knowledge of working with the press
- Good writing and communication skills
- Leadership and relationship building skills
- Know the importance of delegating, influence, courage, communication, integrity, gratitude, respect, empathy, learning agility, and self-awareness
- Herding kittens is also an unspecified talent within any group composed of people.
- I'll take a passion for the success of PWAS in the mix too.
And PWAS also has other committee positions or sub-groups, that need to be filled and added to, including:
Social Media, a Gallery Group, Event/Show Group, Hospitality, Phone Tree, Scholarship, Marketing, Advertising, Promotion, Media/Photographers, Fund Raising, Membership, Website, and probably more, gosh, even a Think Tank Group! Typically there is a lead for each committee or group that reports to the board.
"I
think would be helpful for every chair, board position or person
heading any other function to have a list of all of the actions that
person needs to take as part of their function. We have something
similar to that in the bylaws but we really need something a little more
complete and specific. It could be in the form of a list of dates ("mid
May, request room rental" or "two weeks in advance" etc) and actions,
and could start out as a rough outline to be filled in as things occur.
It would be something that could be handed to anyone who is interested
in a position but uncertain what it entails, and would support someone
taking over any position, especially one where their predecessor isn't
still around, and it could be sent to each new member picking the
function as choice one or two on their membership application, just to
provide an overview. Of course each position holder would modify it as
conditions change or when they come up with new ideas." - PWAS Member Emily Hawes, Scholarship and Programs Committees
Social Media - EVERYONE within the group with a PC or smart phone, should be sharing website links, blog posts, art show events and images. The more the merrier - but ensure it is a unified message. Promoting online is for one and all. Use Facebook, Twitter/X, Pinterest, Instagram, YouTube and whatever else is on the horizon - PWAS should be all over the internet. Darn it, PWAS should be ALL over the county!
What if we had co-Presidents? Or more than one VPs under a President to delegate duties to? Committee leaders can co-lead with a second person, divvy up their duties and help ensure that committees' tasks are completed.
"A 'co-worker' might be a good idea. In that way, if the secretary, vice president or whoever cannot make a meeting, then the co-person could step in.
I think co-captains are a good idea for the pop-up shows, as well. One person might not want the burden of running the entire thing, but with a co-captain - and a small committee under them- it might be more attractive. If someone is slightly interested and they have a PWAS friend or member they would like to work with, invite them to be your co-captain. It may help stir up involvement." - PWAS Member Bettie Sperty former Gallery Committee
An art group needs to use all the ways and means to keep their group on target, in focus and on the same page.
Each position, whether in a committee or as a Board member is a commitment to your fellow artists, and sure, it will not be easy at times. We may even want to reconsider the bi-annual positions into a yearly thing.
- I could even see some sort of incentive given to members that serve, or have served on the Board.
- Filling of persons into positions if they become open is an ongoing and constant recruitment obligation of the Board, I feel.
- Also, ensure that membership KNOWs all the opportunities and benefits available to them.
Volunteering and helping out helps to build respect from your fellow artists which usually leads for them to help you in return, when you need it.
Clarity in Goals and Objectives
Voting for the Board means that the right individuals should be recruited, volunteer and understand all that will be required of them. He or she should be passionate about art and committed to your art groups objectives and goals. He or she should have good organizational and leadership skills and know how to delegate the tasks and responsibilities that must be done, often with due dates and timelines. A nominating committee might be a great way to recruit these individuals. A very clear list of duties, expectations and regular meetings to report progress are all must haves.
- Realize that a single person shouldn't have to do everything. And the same members that always volunteer shouldn't have to do all the work all the time.
- Open regular meetings, chat sessions, in person or online are necessary so that any issues can be resolved as they come up.
- Artists are typically passionate creative people, and most will love sharing their talent, experience, and knowledge with the group.
- We all want a thriving group focused on positivity.
"I think we would get a more effective Board if the voting was in secret. When you have someone sitting there watching who raised their hand to vote for them and who doesn't, some people will vote for an incompetent person just to keep from hurting that person's feelings. Also, when only 20/25 people show up at the meeting to vote, you don't necessarily get the choice of the majority. Not all people can show up on the night of the vote. I think we could send out a ballot that would reach all the members and be anonymous." - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin former PWAS President and Gallery Committees
The PWAS group should absolutely
be inclusive - as we always have been. We have beginner artists to
professional artists and everything and age in between. Our location in Northern
Virginia gives us artists with full and part-time jobs, from all over the county and surrounding areas. We
have folks in the government, in the military, in food service,
teachers, and retirees with skills of every kind. (Thankfully)
Understand the value that each member brings. PWAS membership is for any adult, 18 or older that has a love for art. They do not have to be an artist. Some artists start early in their lives, while others start later in life. Some of the members have art education under their belts, and others are self-taught.
- Realize that youngest members often have knowledge of technological skills, social media, and the latest trends, and usually have tons of energy and enthusiasm.
- Realize that middle-aged members with families and the lovely commuter jobs may have less time to offer, but they may be awesome as the weekend art warriors, organizers, and have current work skills and experiences that are very useful.
- Realize that older artist members have skills, knowledge and usually mega-tons of experience. They may even be retired and have more time to help with the tasks and volunteering time necessary for an art group.
Some members can help with heavy duty setups while others can perhaps be better at greeting your visitors, or handling the sales. Use the PWAS member resources - find out what areas someone would be great at and get them in there!
Ensure that all members understand that we are a full hands-on group and their input and collaboration is needed - give and take and sharing is a must.
"If
members are planning to participate in any of the pop-ups, then perhaps
they should consider participating in helping. After all, the shows
don’t happen by themselves. And it’s not a 'just wait for someone to set
up the show and you just come and plop your stuff down' deal." - PWAS Member Bettie Sperty
Everyone wants the best out of all involved, get everyone to contribute in their own unique ways.
Get and Keep the Members Engaged
As new members arrive - invite them into a group where they may fit. Let the leaders of that group know as well. When the member joins, they fill in the form that asks where they are interested in helping. This has NEVER been followed up on, which is quite unfortunate. As soon as members sign up, get them into one of the sub groups or an area of interest. Get them involved immediately!
"We might consider modifying any future PWAS Membership forms that we print so that when new members join we tell them to pick one as their first choice and one as their second choice. It's a subtle distinction but I'm suggesting that we not present it as something where you can check off one, three, or zero things you would like to participate in, but rather as one of those spaces where the form isn't complete if it's blank. If they don't put a first choice and second choice down, they get a phone call or an email saying "oops - you forgot to fill in this portion of your membership application". That would require a few calls or emails (most people would fill it in), plus forwarding the contact information to the chosen chairs, but that would be all. Later on, as more experienced members, they could change their own sections." - PWAS Member Emily Hawes
Members need to be kept informed to keep them engaged. Communication can happen in so many ways now, use them - texting, email, social media, Zoom, if you have a forum on your website, smoke signals, etc. A shared calendar is necessary. Encourage active participation and trust by information sharing, and being transparent.
"I feel like everyone should do something to help the group. The bylaws state that everyone should do 4 hours of volunteer work per month. That has never been enforced. Everyone is allowed to show at the outside PWAS shows as long as they've paid their dues." - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
Find a good source to communicate with your members without bombarding them with emails if possible but realize that online is also a great method of getting feedback including surveys. Or create a focus group for your member needs or even have a suggestion box in a location. (Good question, "Where?")
Keep the members motivated and involved.
- Meet, greet, repeat all new members
- Delegate and integrate the newbies
- Praise and support, the entire group
Do include fun and games, show and tell, and snacks when time allows. Think up crazy ideas and DO them - they'll make for great social posts when you take pictures and your group will attract attention. At an art show - have everyone wear a funny hat, crazy colors, all one color, mismatched everything, or some theme. At your art reception, have everyone dress in the theme. Post and repost!
Annual
Art Competition - PWAS should have an annual art competition, open to
the county and/or area artists where a fee is paid, a paid jury/judge person
or group selects the submissions, winners and
awards ($). The artwork needs to hang somewhere to be seen, get press, do
the promotion, etc. A few of us had begun planning this for 2024 at OSA...I would hate to see this idea fall flat.
Find more ways for artists to make sales! Find MORE events, shows, places to do group art shows. Although PWAS is a nonprofit group, most artists are not.
Have contests within your art group to design things, including your art group tshirt. Sell them. Or have a tie-dye or print party with your group logo.
"When I think about when strife develops in the group in the past it's often around hanging shows. That's a byproduct of shows being both important and demanding. People seem to be lightest, loosest, happiest during refreshments or open houses where you hear the most laughter. I'd like to see some lighter, happier, casual events so we had more of that kind of bonding to offset some of the stress that necessarily occurs around the tougher business of art, and things that remind us we are artists because it's pleasurable to us." - PWAS Member Emily Hawes
Best Practices Should Include Growth and Sustaining
Finances. Grants, Corporate Sponsorships, Patrons, Crowdfunding Campaigns can be used to help reach your art group goals, keep the energy and enthusiasm up, and reach your potential. Membership fees, Website fees, Art Commissions, and workshop or class fees are all a part of fundraising. Raffles, donations, benefits, silent auctions, ticketed events, and direct sales - there and tons of ways to raise funding for projects.
- Fund Raising with GOALS in mind, a plan to reach those goals.
- How are we going to handle donations?
- What if we wanted to raise money for an art competition, with sponsorships?
- How are we going to raise money for the Scholarship Fund?
Ideas. Find out what other art groups are doing and do your version of it. The internet will help in the research but actually going out to other art galleries will generate ideas too. While on vacation in another state, one of my to-dos was to stop at various art galleries and TALK with them. See and hear how they do things.
Research. Drive to DC, Fredericksburg, Middleburg, Fairfax or Leesburg and see their art scene. Even Manassas has a thriving art culture, with at least 4 galleries within walking distance of each other. If you go on vacation somewhere, check into the local art. Talk to the people there and ask about their group/members, anything interesting. See their hanging systems, print racks, all of it and see what you can find out.
Remember Austin Kleon's book, Steal Like An Artist? Well, there ya go.
Press and Promo. See who can write your press releases, formal letters and other content and requests. Who can create your promotional art work? Don't rely on just one person - there WILL be a day when that person is not available.
Advertising online and offline, more members should be attentive to the free and paid methods for this area. A budget should be set and identify the high profile events that must have press.
- Create mini brochures for each show, include the artists participating.
- Discover organizations and groups that you can work out deals with, trades.
- I KNOW there are some writers out there. Write about art, your art, their art, local art, your experiences, your art shows, the group's art shows and events. Get on your blog and the art groups blog. Share and share some more.
- A newsletter may be an option and advertising on it could be a source of fund raising and/or trade.
Growth. Build more committees with specific duties as needed, to help reach or do specific tasks. These committees can be ad hoc, temporary, or standard operating committees.
Find your leaders and let them lead. An art group must have people that will stand up and take the horns to lead the pack. Provide the details on what is needed, the forms the docs, the bylaws.
When the group asks for donations, sponsors, or other items from other merchants or organizations, have talking points, rules and the info they need ready so they can properly take care of the tasks given to them. Be sure PWAS gets all of the donors info so that credit can be put in the proper place like the website or printed materials.
We need sub-committees to draw in new PWAS members because of their specific artistic direction. A critique group, a plein air group, an oil painting group, an acrylic group...tossing some ideas here.
We
need a committee that is always on the lookout for opportunities - to
show art, to be a potential gallery space, to help promote art.
A potential new Gallery Committee, ready to go into a new gallery space and get it up and running. Look for more than one space to show art. Prince William County is a large county with some great towns and cities. With a large membership, more places to exhibit and more opportunities are a part of the growth we should be looking into.
"Someone on the Board should be responsible for heading up a committee to seek out new venues to exhibit our work. Emily (Hawes) recently sent out a document that Fairfax had put together regarding approaching vacant stores and office space to use for art venues. This is exactly what Herb did when he sought and received permission to use OSA. I'm convinced we can do the same thing." - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
A documentation method to record ongoing PWAS history and "how tos" to make it easier for your followup person to know what to do.
There needs to be a budget for certain things - hold that group accountable for how its spent with documentation. Donations should always be acknowledged.
Constantly grow, evolve and change. Membership will probably fluctuate. Keep the interest and desire to be in PWAS for the next 50 years. Encourage pictures and posting on social media to ensure the group is not forgotten and to gain more members. That is originally how I found PWAS, was through Facebook.
"I would like to see more social get-togethers for the group outside of the meetings. When people get to know one another better, they are more willing to help each other out and morale is higher." - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
Get Feedback from Members
Notifications to the group. ID the PWAS emails so they don't go to junk. Useful feedback is more helpful than "congratulations" and Reply Alls. (Hope you get what I'm saying here!)
Get feedback from your members especially after events, shows, changes, and use whatever methods work. Lessons learned after an event, comments in blogs, suggestion box...get your feedback. And members should share what they think worked great and what could be improved upon for the next time.
Art Activities and Art Events for Members
Know why your members have joined your art group and cater the activities and events to their needs and interests. Have mini workshops within your group. If seating is limited, do it more than once. Record them, blog about them, share the results on blogs and Social Media.
- How to run an art reception.
- How to hang an art gallery.
- How to make prints.
- How to photograph art.
- Art critiques, art talks.
- Art website do, don'ts, discussion.
- How to lead an art show.
- How to frame, display art.
- Write an artist statement.
- How to do digital or photoart.
- How to do Social Media and use hash tags.
Share your knowledge and become THAT valuable resource within your art group!
Art Field Trips - for experiences and inspiration. Go gallery hopping. Rent a bus for a big field trip. Have a committee to come up with exciting ideas!
"We used to do "field trips" where someone with a van took six or so people (who pooled for gas and driving pains) to Richmond to an art museum or to the Torpedo Factory. Going to the Workhouse is easy. We can try some community art endeavors where the process, experience and inclusivity is as or more important than the product. Indoors, in addition to more formal guided workshops there could be "work parties" with byo materials. We could try a few and just do whatever turns out to be most enjoyable. Like Bhutan, we need to start paying attention to our Gross Domestic Happiness." - PWAS Member Emily Hawes
"It is interesting to read all of your comments and many are very familiar to me, since I’m an ole timer. I went on a couple of van trips and we had a fun time. I was also involved with getting in a vacant shop in the strip mall on Minnieville Road across from Lowe’s.
We exhibited our art and occasionally had an evening reception. When Tackett’s Mill first opened we had a gallery down on the lake. We were given a reasonable rent fee. It was very successful, but after two years they raised rent and six months later we just couldn’t financially stay there.
I hopefully can continue working on committees as I have in the past. The only place I drive at night is to our PWAS meeting which is not far from my house. If anyone wants to get together in person and and talk about your suggestions I would like to participate." - PWAS Founding Member Jewell Pratt Burns, the PWAS Scholarship Program bears Jewell's name
Art Group Meetings
Regular meetings are a must. Allow plenty of time for discussion, Q&A, debate. Put in the ground rules and encourage active participation. Everyone should always feel welcome to exchange their ideas, their perspectives. The board should always do their kitten herding when it is needed, and keep things from going off the rails.
Continue to Grow
Do a "State of the Art" analysis of your group periodically to assess the growth and successes of the entire art group, each committee and sub-group.
- Are you being successful in meeting your goals and having an impact on your community?
- Are the member's needs and preferences being met and exceeded?
- Are you finding new ways to engage and attract new artist members?
- What new projects are being developed?
- What is the group doing to raise funds?
- Are the corporate documents, bylaws and other official documents updated, renewed, and kept up with?
From lessons learned for specific events to project progress - evaluate all measurable results, trends, member growth, group impact. Do premortem, in process, and postmortem checks so that issues can be resolved or not repeated. Find if there are areas of concern before things go in the wrong direction.
Other To Dos
- The art group's leadership needs to all work toward ensuring all critical positions are filled at all times.
- Not
just in art groups, but have you ever been in a meeting where everyone
talks and talks yet nothing at all gets resolved? Someone needs to be
decisive and makes a decision or create a focus group to find out more.
Do something!
- And if someone for whatever reason is not fulfilling what the were voted in or volunteered for, there needs to be a way to remove that person and install someone that will. This should also apply to Committee Chairs as well.
- Recognize opportunities when presented to the group by outside organizations.
- Leaders aren't born, they are created, developed, molded and experienced. Sounds like an artist to me.
"Along that same line, there should be some sort of method of removing someone from office if they are not doing a good job. Just showing up for meetings is not being an effective Board officer. I think this should apply to Committee Chairs as well. We have so many people who fear confrontation so much that they let people get away with not following the rules. This creates a lot of resentment because it's unfair to the people who are responsible enough to do what is expected of them. Also, when people don't do their fair share, others are left to do the work for them and they get burned out and resentful. This will remain a problem with whatever PWAS does even when we are no longer responsible for OSA." - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
Yes, I (we) Have a BIG Wish List
PWAS has a lot of potential, many awesome artists, and a lot of love for the arts. Since I have been a member, PWAS has had and lost 2 galleries. By golly, we have learned a lot though.
I believe I have made some life-long friends. I'm very happy that so many are passionate about doing what it takes to succeed, evolve, and thrive - with their art AND with PWAS. We have plenty of great people that could step up to the leadership positions available now and coming soon.
A PWAS member and past President, Sandra McClelland Lewin says that she realized a long time ago, that the best way to change something is to put yourself in a position so that you can help make that change.
"PWAS has changed over the past few years, but the basics have remained the same. We still have our meetings at the Tall Oaks Community Center and we still participate in the Spring/Fall shows there; at ArtsAlive, Occoquan and more. None of that has changed. But considering we are becoming a younger group, I think we need to add more incentives to keep our younger members. If we don't and we rely on the older members to keep the group running, we could end up with no PWAS at all. As people get older, move away, family responsibilities may become more demanding - all these things add up to a less active membership. We can't let a 50+ year old group die. What can we do to get younger people more involved?" - PWAS Member Sandra McClelland Lewin
I would like to see, well, MORE in my art group and the time is NOW!
What about you? What do you think?
See Also:
PWAS Group Something to Think About
Getting Involved in Your Local Art GroupAn artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA and the Artistry Spin Blog Admin, specializing in acrylic painting and writing long blog posts. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at DonnaLiguriaArt.com, her Esty site and her Blog at Donna’s Cave Paintings.
Artist members of PWAS from Manassas and Woodbridge, VA
Local Art: The Prince William Art Society is a 52-year-old non-profit art group in PWC for the appreciation of fine art throughout the county and Northern Virginia.
Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership
