I write this message in the hope that everyone is healthy after the festive season and we are ready to participate in a new year of activities.
Our Christmas party on 2 December 2009 at the St George Motor Boat Club was a huge success with over 70 members and guests joining us. Special thanks must go to your committee, and especially Betty Gleeson, who facilitated this event. We are very lucky to have such a great committee who work well together.
This event was also an opportunity for me as your President to address our gathering and express some of the challenges for art societies and their members. We are the oldest society in the Sutherland Shire, and are considered the "bastion of traditionalism‟ in the art world.
Contemporary events are eroding these values, such as an artistic shift in subject matter to abstract forms, an increase in do-it-yourself artists, the redefinition of art exhibitions to include craft forms, sculptures, photographs etc., and financial issues affecting potential buyers of artworks. These issues impact on membership numbers, the
type and regularity of exhibitions held, less public recognition of our present skills and a paradigm shift in our management style to meet these demands.
I continue to implore members to volunteer their time and work with your committee so we can meet our future challenges. Don't wait for the next annual general meeting and election of officers; nominate to assist your committee. You never know, you may enjoy the experience.
I thank Faye Perkins for stepping forward and taking on Publicity and Val Watson for taking on the extra duties associated with "markets and stalls".
Our constitutional changes have been accepted by the Department of Fair Trading and will be posted on the website for general information. I look forward to seeing you on Wednesday 3 February 2010 for our first demonstration for the year and for feedback after the morning committee meeting.
Noel Carrigg
