Title: DirectorReport2008-07-06.doc

Programming:

As I did last month, I have highlighted several events. Thursday June 12, Peter Veth’s Fashion Show, followed a fundraiser for When Elephants Weep at Ely’s restaurant next door. The City Manager, LZ Nunn and several other city officials attended. It was their first time. I also think the event subtext is interesting … 119 Gallery enabling Peter and the Cambodian community to show creative work ‘on Asian turf’ (graffiti on our back wall).

On Thursday June 26 in a state of flux opened. Setheyny curated a guerilla exhibit of skateboard art featuring local artists and a new video. A variety of people attended. We premiered the video on the big screen and, by popular demand, Ralph Eats Dynamite played. This is a popular exhibit. A number of new people have dropped by to see the show, including several neighbors who hadn’t visited before.  Again the subtext is interesting, young local artists find an outlet for their work. The art is non-traditional in that it extends traditional technique, addresses social issues on several levels and includes performance and new media. Congratulations and thanks Setheyny, Olivia, Stephanie, Bobbie and Currency Skateboards.

On Tuesday July 15, the Winners of 3^rd Annual Juried Show return to the gallery. This will be a good show covering territory from hot to cool (Alyshia vs Dan & Emile), traditional to contemporary (Alyshia & Dan vs Emile).  It includes drawing, painting, sculpture, photography and video.

Last month I proposed that we offer a volunteer’s membership. I would like to formalize a policy for awarding these memberships.

Motion: That based on a person’s contributions to 119 Gallery, as a program director, guerilla curator, staff volunteer, etc; the Director may grant that person a gallery membership at the Creator level.

The video classes and the sound art classes are meeting. Interest in the sound production and online community class seems minimal. Granted we have not advertised aggressively. On the other hand, the master’s classes fill and ‘self-advertise.’ Jessica Rylan agreed to run circuit building/circuit bending class on Saturday October 26, which is filling fast.

We should reconsider the format of the Education program, focusing more on one-time masters classes and artists talks.

CTC Vista:

Mira Allen, our CTC VISTA worker arrives in Boston this Monday. After a week of orientation to the program, she starts work as our first full-time, paid employee.

And, we will have a high school intern helping out in the gallery 2-3 half days a week over the summer.

This is further impetus for us to develop ‘policy’ re employment, grievances, sick days, holidays, and all that stuff. Perhaps we can convene an ‘ad hoc subcommittee’ to address this issue.

Prepared by: Walter Wright, Executive Director