Paisley Fantasy

 

I haven't created as much original artwork as I would have liked this year. I've been concentrating on my painting classes instead. The last three weeks, I've been back in the studio creating again. It feels great to just paint something out of my imagination. For several years, I've wanted to create some series based on fabric prints. When I was a kid in the 60s, my mother dressed up every Sunday morning to go to church. This was back in the day when ladies even wore hats. She had several great dresses with paisley prints and bold colors. This is the inspiration for my latest creation. This piece consists of five panels, 20" X 24" each. When hung together they measure 108" wide by 24" tall. I chose this sixe for an upcoming exhibition with Artists Alive and Well which will be in September at St. Luke's United Methodist Church Rotunda Gallery called "Small Works". This is not small but each panel is within the size requirements. I hope you have a chance to stop by the exhibition. It runs September 2-29. Gallery hours are 8am-8pm daily. The gallery is located at 3471 Westheimer across the street from River Oaks park. 

 

 

 

Needed: One Board Member

Plans are coming along for the new Spring Shadows Art Center. This is a new non-profit organization dedicated to bring an art space to the Spring Branch area and the Spring Shadows neighborhood. I started this initiative in view of a place where the community can come together to create. I believe that every neighborhood, small town or big city, should have an art center. This is a space where affordable art classes and workshops, art shows, musical shows, studios, etc. can be held, as well as parties and meetings for the people of the community and also for people interested in coming to our community from the Greater Houston Area and beyond. So far we have found a location, met with the realtor, had an inspection by a general contractor and have had two local people, Roy Salazar and Melissa Williams join our team as board members. We need one more board member  to apply for our 501c3. The duties of a board member begin with fundraising, promotion, and eventually hiring staff. The board member must be willing to make a one year commitment to work as a volunteer board member for the period of one year from the time the 501c3 papers are filed. We will have another organizational meeting as soon as this board member is found. Please contact me, Suzanne Buckland at confident_realm@yahoo.com for a copy of the preliminary business plan if you are interested.

Spring Shadows Art Center - Update

The plan for the art center is coming together. I have just about everything I need now to apply for a 501c3, except one additional boardmember. I'm seeking one person interested in working on this project beginning with fund raising. Additional duties of board members will be hiring, promotion and oversight of this non-profit organization. The purpose of the art center is to have a place for the community to gather and create, regardless of age, income level, race, religion or anything else that might have deterred people from becoming involved with community art. The art center will feature classes and workshops, gallery exhibitions, music and more. The location is beside the HEB at Kempwood & Gessner. Please email me at confident_realm@yahoo.com for a copy of the preliminary business plan and your interest in serving on the board. Boardmembers must be willing to make a one year commitment and get started right away with fund raising. You need not be an artist but interested in the arts and bettering the community.

Spring Shadows Art Center Update

I have had a hard time getting another appointment with the realtor but we finally connected. I have an appointment for May 28 at 3:30. I have had many people interested in this project, other artists and locals alike. Who wants an art center in Spring Branch? This space is perfect, once fixed up. There are a variety of activities we can do together at an art center. Spring Shadows Art Center will be a non-profit community art center centered around the inhabitants of the neighborhood interested in using this space to further creative arts. There will be gallery space, classroom space, studios, and kitchen space. There will also be a stage for musical arts within the gallery space. This is a space that the community will gather to enjoy the arts together. Let's make this happen. Please email me at confident_realm@yahoo.com for further information. We need volunteers to get this going. We will also need building materials as we get ready to fix it up. We are working with a general contractor for all the electrical and plumbing issues as well as to check out the AC. This building has been empty for several years and needs some TLC.

Very good questions regarding Spring Shadows Art Center

I am so excited about the proposed Spring Shadows Art Center and am very happy to be developing this business plan. I still seek board members to serve. One potential board member recently emailed me some questions and after giving these questions much thought, I answered them.
Here are the questions from Melissa and the answers. All comments are appreciated:

Melissa's questions:

1. Do you have a timeline for the initial funding needed to start up?

As of this time, I do not have a timeline for initial funding, only to say ASAP.

2. When will the facility open?

When we get funding, as of right now, I am contacting somebody I know who works in upper management in HEB who could point me in the right direction as to who to contact regarding this property. The property is owned by HEB. The realtor handling the property has assured me that HEB will be willing to reimburse anyone who leases the property and does renovations. The property is in disrepair and will need extensive work before it can be opened. I am also in contact with a general contractor. I hope to schedule a meeting with the contractor and the realtor soon. I will also invite you and other interested people to this meeting so you can see the inside and discuss the work that needs completed.

3. Is there a bookkeeper already in place? If not, how will the funds be escrowed until used?

As of this time, there has not been anyone hired and there is no bank account. I plan to use my own money to get the ball rolling and initiate the 501c3. As soon as that phase is complete, we can open a bank account and hire a bookkeeper.

4. A list of employees was included in your proposal; are the employees the board members?

There are no employees at this time. I do not have any firm board members. To initiate the process, I need three people to serve on the board besides myself. I'm familiar with the process of creating a new 501c3 and one of the rules is that employees may also serve on the board. When hiring employees, the board must interview each candidate. If the candidate serves on the board, that candidate may not be involved in hiring for that position. The other board members must agree on the position, duties and salary of the candidate as well as all other candidates without that particular board member present. This is absolutely necessary that all board members sign a release stating that they all agree to this process before being accepted to serve on the board. Therefore, board members cannot hire themselves for any position.

If you are also interested in raising funds for this project, please contact me at confident_realm@yahoo.com
I need all the help I can get.

I have a plan but I need some help

I plan to open a new art center in Spring Branch area. I have developed a business plan for Spring Shadows Art Center which will be a 501c3 organization. In order to apply for this type of corporation, I need three board members interested in helping raise money through donations. In order to serve on this board, you will only be asked to help raise funds and not required to donate any funds of your own unless you would like to. I am making the initial investment in order to get the ball rolling. I am very serious about this project and have found the perfect location, written a complete business plan and marketing plan, crunched the numbers, and am prepared to move forward ASAP! Please let me know if you are interested in participating. Three board members are required. Email me at confident_realm@yahoo.com and I will send you a copy of the business plan. You need not be an artist to participate. Anyone interested in furthering this project is welcome.

Spring Shadows Art Center

Since The Green House Gallery & Art Center has closed, I have been working on a plan for another neighborhood art center for the Spring Branch area. I found an empty building that would work well, so I began putting together a plan. I am now at the point where I can confidently begin bringing other people together for serious discussion. I am calling an organizational meeting for Tuesday, May 6 at 7PM at the Starbucks on the corner of Gessner & Kempwood. The space is in this plaza, so everybody interested in serving this art center can have a peek at the place. I am very excited about this new plan and can't wait to get the wheels in motion. It will be great for our community to have an art center where everyone regardless of age, race, income level, etc. can come together to create. Anyone interested in helping me with this new non-profit art center is welcome to attend the meeting.