Submitted by Laura Kastin
Minutes of Brooklyn Potter's Meeting
11/11/12
Present: Ragnar, Rene, Ed H., Victoria B., Ed
B., Lucille, Sabina, Lynn G., Joan S., Laura K.
-Opening
Comments: Those
present expressed concern for members who have been affected by
Hurricane Sandy. Susan Locke had severe damage to her business, lost her
car, and lost power at home. She can be contacted only by phone. Jean
Nichols lost power at his home, but did not experience damage. Gerry
Gventer, left to teach art on a cruise ship when she lost power at her
home in Brighton Beach. Ed H. recommended having renters insurance
before future calamities. He mentioned experience with the Chubb company
and said they will relocate you if necessary.
Brooklyn
Potters will donate $150 to
the Craft Emergency Relief Fund (CERF) to assist artists who suffered
losses from Hurricane Sandy. CERF will provide no-interest loans and
open ended repayment schedules to those who qualify.
Lynn
has been talking with the Brooklyn Working Artists Coalition (BWAC) to
plan a ceramic sculpture show for fall 2013. Work should be
non-functional. Although this will be a juried show, more information
will follow regarding how Brooklyn Potter's members will apply and
qualify.
-Main Topic: The Future of Brooklyn Potters
Although
we
draw large groups for our lectures, our other meetings have not been as
well attended recently. We explored whether the resources now common on
the internet have limited potter's needs for our organization. More
artists are sharing group studios than in previous years and may not
seek additional social contact with other clay-workers.
Past
accomplishments and activities of BP were discussed including:
workshops, artist's lectures, member's presentations, studio tours,
joint discount buying, Empty Bowls and ongoing fund raising for hunger
relief for CHIPS.
Questions were raised about how we can attract and keep new members.
Concerns were expressed about whether out e-mail is getting out and whether communication has been effective.
Some suggestions made:
A BP blog, an inquiry committee, input from communal studios ,better communication, fewer meetings per year.
It
was acknowledged that we need new leadership. At the end of this
calendar year, Lynn and Ragnar will be stepping down from the
offices of president and treasurer that they've held for so long. New
candidates have not come forward in the past. We haven't had a regular
secretary for a while, but Sabina agreed to do this job in the future.
