Message from the President
March 12, 2024
Hello Everybody,
I hope all is well.
My name is Bob Feigen and I am your elected MLAA President for 2024.
This year we are maintaining and developing all of our existing programs while looking to grow new ones. I am pleased to report your Mother Lode Art Association is fiscally sound and is poised for growth and inclusion as our membership increases.
We are still filling Board and Committee positions for 2024, as required in our By-Laws. The open (or temporarily filled) board positions are Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. We need committee chairs for School Funding, Publicity, Programs, and Nominating Committee. . We are also looking for people interested in working on our website, www.motherlodeartassociation.com, and social media. Most MLAA positions require some dedicated time and commitment during the 2024 calendar year, but on balance it is fun and you are working as part of a team of MLAA volunteers committed to making the Mother Lode Art Association a huge success.
The 69th Annual Mother Lode Art Association Show and Exhibit on April 12-20, 2024 is being directed again by Linda Happell and John Sharum (President Emeritus). The (orSonora Photo Club chaired by Connie Cassinetto has their own part of the Art Show with their own Judges and awards.
The Art Show promises to be another great event. Please note that the entry deadline is March 15, 2024, and it helps the Show Committee if we get the entry forms in early! Since it is the MLAA’s largest event we need to give Linda, John, and their show staff our full support by volunteering for a variety of show-related tasks. Your MLAA also books and manages the second week (Art Week) at the Opera Hall).
The Aloft Art Gallery is doing great and is absolutely the jewel of Washington Street. I had the pleasure of meeting with their seven member Board of Directors on May 7, 2024 and listened to what was going on with the Gallery. We were able to share ideas and looked for things we could do to help the gallery and local artists.
I visited the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau (Go Tuolumne), and the City of Sonora and spoke with their staff sharing our MLAA programs and listening to theirs. I have also spoken to Weekender staff, Library and other agencies with whom the MLAA is involved. I believe we have an excellent working relationship with all of them.
We are looking to further develop the MLAA relationships with the School Art Programs and see where we might help. The proceeds from the MLLA Art Show go to support Arts in Education in our community. Through the arts in our schools we engage two generations of young families and artists in our Art Community. We will work on programs to grow our membership and and attract younger members for the intermediate and long term.
Our next regular MLAA meeting is on Monday, March 18, 2024. The Board meets from 11:30 am until 12:15 pm and everyone is welcome to attend. The General Meeting will begin at 1:00 pm with our primary focus on our 69th Annual Mother Lode Art Show. At 1:30, it will be time for our art demo: noted photographer and Aloft chairperson Connie Cassinetto will present some beautiful photos and hercomments on a recent trip. Think penguins!
I want to give a special thanks and recognition to Maureen and Malcolm Carden and also John Sharum for their great support and friendship during my transition to President. Also, both the MLAA and the Aloft Boards have been excellent and supportive to work with.
All the best,
Robert Feigen
President
Mother Lode Art Association
robertfeigen@gmail.com
I hope all is well.
My name is Bob Feigen and I am your elected MLAA President for 2024.
This year we are maintaining and developing all of our existing programs while looking to grow new ones. I am pleased to report your Mother Lode Art Association is fiscally sound and is poised for growth and inclusion as our membership increases.
We are still filling Board and Committee positions for 2024, as required in our By-Laws. The open (or temporarily filled) board positions are Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. We need committee chairs for School Funding, Publicity, Programs, and Nominating Committee. . We are also looking for people interested in working on our website, www.motherlodeartassociation.com, and social media. Most MLAA positions require some dedicated time and commitment during the 2024 calendar year, but on balance it is fun and you are working as part of a team of MLAA volunteers committed to making the Mother Lode Art Association a huge success.
The 69th Annual Mother Lode Art Association Show and Exhibit on April 12-20, 2024 is being directed again by Linda Happell and John Sharum (President Emeritus). The (orSonora Photo Club chaired by Connie Cassinetto has their own part of the Art Show with their own Judges and awards.
The Art Show promises to be another great event. Please note that the entry deadline is March 15, 2024, and it helps the Show Committee if we get the entry forms in early! Since it is the MLAA’s largest event we need to give Linda, John, and their show staff our full support by volunteering for a variety of show-related tasks. Your MLAA also books and manages the second week (Art Week) at the Opera Hall).
The Aloft Art Gallery is doing great and is absolutely the jewel of Washington Street. I had the pleasure of meeting with their seven member Board of Directors on May 7, 2024 and listened to what was going on with the Gallery. We were able to share ideas and looked for things we could do to help the gallery and local artists.
I visited the Chamber of Commerce, Visitors Bureau (Go Tuolumne), and the City of Sonora and spoke with their staff sharing our MLAA programs and listening to theirs. I have also spoken to Weekender staff, Library and other agencies with whom the MLAA is involved. I believe we have an excellent working relationship with all of them.
We are looking to further develop the MLAA relationships with the School Art Programs and see where we might help. The proceeds from the MLLA Art Show go to support Arts in Education in our community. Through the arts in our schools we engage two generations of young families and artists in our Art Community. We will work on programs to grow our membership and and attract younger members for the intermediate and long term.
Our next regular MLAA meeting is on Monday, March 18, 2024. The Board meets from 11:30 am until 12:15 pm and everyone is welcome to attend. The General Meeting will begin at 1:00 pm with our primary focus on our 69th Annual Mother Lode Art Show. At 1:30, it will be time for our art demo: noted photographer and Aloft chairperson Connie Cassinetto will present some beautiful photos and hercomments on a recent trip. Think penguins!
I want to give a special thanks and recognition to Maureen and Malcolm Carden and also John Sharum for their great support and friendship during my transition to President. Also, both the MLAA and the Aloft Boards have been excellent and supportive to work with.
All the best,
Robert Feigen
President
Mother Lode Art Association
robertfeigen@gmail.com
Call for Volunteers for the 2024 Art Show
The 69th Fine Art Show--our major fundraiser--is nearly here and we URGENTLY NEED VOLUNTEERS before and during the Show! If you're entering your art in the Show, you're strongly encouraged to sign up for a shift or task. If you aren't entering any art, this is a wonderful chance to take part in the Show and make a significant contribution to our goal of supporting the arts in local schools. If you're a new member, this is the way to hang out with some great people in the art community! We also urgently need donations of raffle prizes and of finger food and wine for the reception;
Check out the list below for an opportunity that works for you: Then contact Linda Happel at lindaleehappel@gmail.com or call at 209-532-7240 to volunteer or for more information.
1. Distribution of promotional material (posters, rack cards) in Columbia, Jamestown, Junction, Twain Harte.
2. Gathering of raffle prizes from merchants from the above areas. Forms are available at the Aloft or by contacting Linda Happel.
3. Volunteers are needed to work the show on the following dates and times. The duties are as follows:
a. Reception or Greeter. Welcome the visitor. Provide a program, provide a ballot to vote for their favorite art piece, direct visitors to the raffle tables and silent auction tables.
b. Raffle sales. Sell raffle tickets, have tickets completed with visitors name and phone number clearly printed, and show where to place the raffle tickets beside each basket. Direct visitors to the silent auction table and give direction where needed.
c. Art Sales. Instruction will be provided to members for the sale of artwork.
The dates and times available for the above mentioned duties are:
1. April 12 5pm to 8pm.
2. April 13 (Second Saturday) 10am-1pm, 1pm-5pm, 5pm to 8pm. (Music by Justice Ramos 5pm-8pm)
3. April 14 1pm-5pm (Music by Harp and Harp 2pm-5pm)
4. April 15-18th 10am-1pm; 1pm-5pm.
5. April 19-20 10am-1pm; 1-pm-5pm; 5pm-8pm (Music April 19th 5pm-8pm by the Cedars.) (Music April 20th 5pm-8pm Old Man with a Guitar 5pm-8pm)
6. April 21 art work pick up and clean up. Pick up 9am-noon. Clean up to follow
4 Food and wine for the reception April 12 5pm-8pm . Finger foods. Desserts. Your favorite wine.
5. Raffle prizes to fill our raffle baskets.
Please contact Linda Happel at lindaleehappel@gmail.com or call at 209-532-7240 to volunteer or for more information.
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Check out the list below for an opportunity that works for you: Then contact Linda Happel at lindaleehappel@gmail.com or call at 209-532-7240 to volunteer or for more information.
1. Distribution of promotional material (posters, rack cards) in Columbia, Jamestown, Junction, Twain Harte.
2. Gathering of raffle prizes from merchants from the above areas. Forms are available at the Aloft or by contacting Linda Happel.
3. Volunteers are needed to work the show on the following dates and times. The duties are as follows:
a. Reception or Greeter. Welcome the visitor. Provide a program, provide a ballot to vote for their favorite art piece, direct visitors to the raffle tables and silent auction tables.
b. Raffle sales. Sell raffle tickets, have tickets completed with visitors name and phone number clearly printed, and show where to place the raffle tickets beside each basket. Direct visitors to the silent auction table and give direction where needed.
c. Art Sales. Instruction will be provided to members for the sale of artwork.
The dates and times available for the above mentioned duties are:
1. April 12 5pm to 8pm.
2. April 13 (Second Saturday) 10am-1pm, 1pm-5pm, 5pm to 8pm. (Music by Justice Ramos 5pm-8pm)
3. April 14 1pm-5pm (Music by Harp and Harp 2pm-5pm)
4. April 15-18th 10am-1pm; 1pm-5pm.
5. April 19-20 10am-1pm; 1-pm-5pm; 5pm-8pm (Music April 19th 5pm-8pm by the Cedars.) (Music April 20th 5pm-8pm Old Man with a Guitar 5pm-8pm)
6. April 21 art work pick up and clean up. Pick up 9am-noon. Clean up to follow
4 Food and wine for the reception April 12 5pm-8pm . Finger foods. Desserts. Your favorite wine.
5. Raffle prizes to fill our raffle baskets.
Please contact Linda Happel at lindaleehappel@gmail.com or call at 209-532-7240 to volunteer or for more information.
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WOMEN VETERANS' MEMORIAL PROGRESS REPORT
The design for the memorial in Twain Harte is finished and approved to go forward pending raising the necessary funds. Grants are being written and memorial bricks are being sold to raise funds. So far, $20,000 has been raised, but this represents about a third of the total cost of installing this important memorial to the women who have served and who will serve in the future. If you would like to contribute, contact Frank Smart, project manager, at 209 559-1708. We still are looking for the project to be completed in 2023.