Member Meeting May 2023

Annual Member Meeting
Creative Art Center – May 16, 2023
Mission Statement:  The general purpose of this organization shall be to develop, promote and encourage an interest in the arts in the area encompassed by this organization, to sponsor art exhibits, and to stimulate interest in young artists in the area.
Forty-four members and guests toured the church building and viewed the architectural drawings of the proposed plans for a Creative Art Center prior to dinner.
Kristi opened the meeting by introducing the Board members.

The financial report, comparing 2022 vs YTD 2023, was presented by Ann.  Ann introduced the endowment fund project to attendees.  
Committee Updates:

• Building Update:  the roof was completed and paid for by a grant.
• Grants which we have secured, and are in the process of being submitted, were reviewed.  
• Gallery update:  Sue advised that we update the gallery for six months, and items that have been there more than two years are removed.  She emphasized that we encourage members to bring in new art.  Sandy Thimgan advised that the jewelry cases have been updated.   We have lost a couple of jewelry artists, so encouraging members to bring in new items.
• Membership:  Debbie reported we have 115 active paid memberships.
• Kathrine provided an overview of a successful 2022 season and upcoming events:
  • Marketing postcards have been sent out to the community and include:

• Kite creation and the flying event will be a fundraising event for AOTL
• Studio Tour which has 40 artists registered.
• Boat Race:  1st annual milk jug boat race
• Art and Craft Fair update
• Plein Air season begins June 17 ending September 30.

New Business:

• Kristi announced that Donna Westerly has been employed part-time as a program assistant.
• Three nominees for the board were introduced.  Kristi asked if there were additional nominations to the AOTL board.  Ann moved that we cast a unanimous vote to approve the three nominees.   Second; a motion was passed to add the following members to the Board.
  • David Beddow
  • Donna Westerling
  • Shari Prigge

 

• CAC Presentation:
  • Kristi Introduced the Visioning Statement created in 2018 and reviewed the process that led to the Blandin Grant.   
  • The CAC task force was introduced and Joan Vonderbruggen, the architectural consultant, reviewed the potential plans for the church building based on feedback from the survey, meetings with the Board and the Task Force.  Sue and Shanna presented their findings and vision for the Annex building(s).  Ann presented the approximate financial picture to open the doors of the proposed buildings.  Kristi reiterated that there are many financial grants and funds available for non-profit organizations, however, fundraising and solicitation from private donors would still need to be part of the plan.

• The floor was opened to questions:  
  • Q:  What would the mortgage be if we engaged in a contract for deed arrangement with the owner?  A:  It has not been negotiated at this point.  Potentially between $200 to $225K.
  • Q:  Would you remain a non-profit organization?   A:  Yes.
  • Q:  How many can you seat in the Sanctuary area?  A:  140 seated in rows; 90 with round tables
  • Q:  If we own the building, can we add on?  A:  We think so, however, it has not been explored.
  • Q:  Is there a survey out?  A:  Yes, it will be published again to the community and members
  • Are there contingencies on what the Blandin funds can be spent on?  A:  Funds are to be spent by the end of November 2023.  They are not tied to any specific building, however, cannot be used for renovation.

Meeting was adjourned.