119 Gallery minutes Sunday September 16  4pm-6pm

Present: Jason Woodward, John Craig Freeman, Eric Sack, Heather McQuiston, Felicia Sullivan, Walter Wright, Mary Ann Kearns, Setheny Pen,

Notetaker: sam smiley

1)    DIRECTOR REPORT

Walter Wright reported that there were generally more events..2-3 events per week. There was a big interest in private parties. Lots of local bands, which is word of mouth publicity. Next time, he will put the days of the week on the report to the board so the board can see which particular days of the week work.

2)    CURATOR REPORT

Normal hours are Tuesday-Saturday 12-5pm.

-Members Show

For the Members’ show, there will be 12 artists featured. 4 of the artists are new 119 Gallery members. Mary Ann expressed a concern that her call for entries might be too confining, and asked that next time someone else reads her call for entries. The current show will be open for Open Studios

-Next Show

Deb Dixon, a Western Avenue artist, proposed a show. October is usually open. This is a new development, but might be a way to include and attract the Western Ave. artists’ community. Connected with this, people have offered to rent the gallery for the show, during the ‘extra’ blocks of time (in 2-3 week chunks) Questions: how much to charge? Do we get a commission on sold works? And  how do we determine which shows to accept even though they are paying? Subcommittee formed: Mary Ann, Sam, Setheny. Shows called “To Be Announced..”

-3rd Annual Juried Show

Will be end of the year. Mary Ann suggests the juror should be from outside Lowell. Jed Speare possibly? Possible name: “Seek Alternate Routes”.

3) TREASURER REPORT

-All board members should renew their memberships by December of this year.

-Starting in Octobers, begin work on a draft budget for following year.

-119 Gallery should do annual appeal and membership drive.

-119 Gallery has opened a $1000.00 line of credit at Enterprise Bank in the name of 119 Gallery.

-Felicia suggests that the 119 trust invoice 119 Gallery for rent of gallery.

4)    FUNDRAISING

-Grant into NAMAC for $3000.00 for capacity building-Macintoshes

-Grant into LEF for $11000.00 for exhibitions support-8 exhibitions next year. LEF will support 7. Both grants online at the 119 Gallery wiki.

-In November, 119 Gallery will submit to the Clewes Foundation for arts education and social issues for $20,000.00.

-In August, AstroDime Transit Authority and 119 Gallery raised $500.00. $375.00 will go  to AstroDime for printing and artist fees for the FAST WOMEN dvd. $125.00 goes to 119 Gallery. This MIT fundraising  will happen sometime again in the late spring of 2008.

-119 Gallery Fundraiser

Art Auction will be December 15 on Saturday Night. Doors will open at 6pm, the auction will begin at 7pm. Question: what are we auctioning? Artwork  from artists in current show? Or artwork submitted by artists? Agreed: artists set base price.

-Sushi smackdown will occur next year.

5)    NEW BUSINESS

-With the closing of Art Interactive, that impacts the electronic arts community, and indirectly, 119 Gallery. 119 Gallery will reach out to Natasha, and express support.

-new addition: Google Calender for 119 Gallery will be searchable and sharable.

-Work Study student from Umass Lowell is beginning to work with marketing. Felicia will meet up with her and direct her.

-Mary Ann found another volunteer to help cover gallery hours

-Walter found someone (Matt) who needs to do some community work, and he will help out at 119 Gallery

-Sylvia Cowen, possible board member for 119 will be invited to the next meeting.

NEXT MEETING: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 4 AT 4PM, 119 GALLERY