Charlotte Art League

Hello everyone and welcome to our first newsletter of the New Year! The Charlotte Art League hopes that this is your best year yet and we are here to help. Make this the year to take the initiative to become the artist you have always wanted to be. It doesn't matter what your skill level is or what medium you work in the Charlotte Art League offers classes, advice and even studio space for all artists; from beginners to professionals.

So be sure to look over our upcoming events, classes and activities. We are sure that you will find something of interest, either for yourself or someone you know. Remember the best way to grow, as an artist is to simply be around other artists, sharing ideas and knowledge.

CAL Website Gets a Facelift

Recent visitors to www.charlotteartleague.org may have noticed that things suddenly look a little bit different. OK, we admit it - they look a LOT different! The CAL website has been completely redesigned, the result of many hours of hard work by the Web and Communications committees.

The new design boasts a number of features that make the site easier to use, easier to find, and easier to keep up to date. Improved navigation means that information you need is never more then a couple of clicks away, and improvements to the site's underlying structure make it show up higher in the results of search engines such as Google.

Possibly the single biggest advantage to the new design is that the site can be updated by anyone, with no need for technical web skills such as HTML coding. Committee chairs who are responsible for keeping their committee's content up to date can simply log in to an administrative interface, make whatever changes are necessary, and see their changes instantly appear on the website at the click of the "Publish" button.

The home page, which displays an article featuring current events going on at CAL, contains another technological enhancement that gives CAL the opportunity to connect with our audience. At the bottom of the article is a link to a "Comments" section, where readers can post their thoughts and reactions to the article. This is similar to how blogs functions, and is a great way to build relationships with our visitors.

Please take a minute or two to explore the new site, and let us know what you think! Unlike a framed canvas, a website is always a work in progress. Your feedback is an important way to help us plan for continual improvements that will make CAL site a valuable resource for all of our members.Click the "Contact CAL" button to access thefeedback form.

CRITIQUE YOUR A R T

Starting January 14, 2010 from 10 AM -11AM. This helpful class will every second Thursday at Charlotte Art League

The class will offer a helpful, constructive look at your latest work
Is it finished? Are bright areas stealing the viewers attention? If it's abstract, would it look better upside down or on its side?
Does it need a tweak?

Bring your coffee, art (any media), and an open mind.
Maybe you can help another with your suggestions.

We'll meet in the classroom.
Facilitated by Ron Fields

For more information please contact Ron Fields.
rcf2u@yahoo.com

Upcoming Classes

CAL is introducing two new instructors this year to help you obtain your artistic goals regardless of your skill level. Matt Blanchfield teaches every Monday night from 7-9 and Jason McLellan teaches every second Saturday from 11-1 pm. Both intstructors offer instruction for any medium and provide a model.

To learn more simply contact them via their email addresses below. Also be sure to print out their flyers as a reminder or to spread the word.

Matt Blanchfield - sblanchfield1@carolina.rr.com	Jason McLellan - manji675@yahoo.com

February Special Program

"Les Bouchoux 2" Watercolor painting by Seymour Simmons

Social time 7:00 Program 7:30

Seymour Simmons "Why's and How's of plein air Painting"

CAL is proud to present Seymour Simmons as our program peaker on Tuesday February 16th at 7:30 pm. This lecture for artists of all levels will consider the benefits as well as the challenges of painting plein air (outdoor) on location. Topics covered will include strategies for identifying and developing successful compositions, as well as practical tips for making the activity enjoyable and rewarding, such as: planning and preparation, media and materials, travel needs, etc.

Seymour sketching in France

In the process, Mr. Simmons will show a slide program from his own work from France and the United States and from more than 25 years of teaching painting groups in France. At a date soon to be determined, Mr. Simmons will lead a workshop for us "en Plein Air".

Seymour Simmons III is an Associate Professor in the Department of Art and Design at Winthrop University , Rock Hill, SC. He received a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree in printmaking from Colorado State University , as well as Masters and Doctorate degrees from Harvard University where he focused on art education and the education of artists. He has been an exhibiting artist, illustrator, and portraitist for over thirty years with exhibitions and commissions in Colorado , New England , and the Carolinas. In addition, he is co-author of Drawing: The Creative Process, Simon and Schuster, 1977.

He prefers drawing media, watercolor and gouache, although he has recently begun working in oils. In terms of subject matter, he focuses on landscape, interiors, figures, and portraits. Many of his paintings are made during summers in the French Jura mountains on the border of France and Switzerland . With its endlessly varied terrain -- rugged cliffs, forested valleys, and plateaus dotted with centuries-old villages and farms -- the Jura provides an endlessly challenging landscape. Simmons' paintings, done primarily on location, celebrate the beauty of the environment and invite
reflection on the interdependence of man and nature.

PAINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY IN FRANCE

Led by Seymour and Martine Simmons

Photo by Terry Roueche

Artists of all levels are invited to participate in a unique experience painting and photographing in France, while being immersed in the beauty of French life and culture. This year's course can be taken for one, two, or three weeks, (June 23 thru July 15) and includes visits to three unique and inspiring locations: Normandy , Paris , and the French Jura mountains near Geneva, Switzerland.

Seymour Simmons, Associate Professor of Fine Arts at Winthrop University, will teach drawing and painting. Professional photographer, Terry Roueche, will teach photography. Professor Ross Duffin of Case Western Reserve will guide us through the art and music of France, and Martine Simmons will share her knowledge and love of French cuisine and language. For more information, visit our website(www.FrancePhotoandPainting.com ) or email:martinesimmons@gmail.com or phone (803) 366-5749 .
There are a few spots left for this wonderful trip!

Announcements

Make Your Two Cents Worth Heard!
by Eric Heinzman, Communications Chair

Ever had a great idea for an event/exhibit/class/some other thing, but haven't been able to gain traction for it within CAL?

Maybe you've discussed CAL business via an email conversation - with everybody . As the "reply-alls" mount, it often doesn't take long before the conversation becomes hopelessly tangled with so many multiple email threads, side discussions, and off-topic tangents that you finally just wish it would go away.

Or perhaps a decision was made that directly affects you and your art, but you weren't consulted or notified beforehand.

Sound familiar? Frustrating? Think there must be a better way?

Let's discuss!

Open and timely communication is essential to keeping a dynamic and diverse organization like CAL running smoothly. As part of our effort to avoid situations like the examples above, we are excited to announce the formation of theCAL Members Exchange, an online, members-only discussion area where you can share your thoughts, ideas, and plans with your fellow CAL members. Among the site's features are a message forum and blogging capabilities to help us conduct our business in a more organized and transparent fashion.

Access to the Members Exchange is members-only, by invitation. Invitations are being sent out to all CAL members. If you are a member and have not received your invitation, please email Eric Heinzman at web@charlotteartleague.org to request access.

How to use it

Log in directly, athttp://calmembers.ning.com, or follow the Member Resources > Discussion and Bulletin Board link from theCAL website. Once you're in, click on the "My Page" link at the top of the screen to fill out your member profile, then begin exploring:

Start a discussion - if you have an idea or item to discuss, start a discussion in the Forum, and potentially get feedback from the entire membership. You never know who might have something unexpectedly awesome to contribute!
Contribute to an existing discussion - get your voice heard!
Start a Group. If you are a committee chair, or share a common interest with other members, you can start a Group within the Members Exchange to conduct committee business.

How you use this resource is up to you - there is no right way or wrong way. As artists, we are a creative bunch, so let's harness that creativity to build a unique, stronger organization!

Charlotte Art League 2010 Exhibition Schedule
Opening Reception = First Friday South End Gallery Crawl (unless it falls on a holiday) Theme: Subject matter is suggested but not mandatory for exhibition
February
Theme: “RHYTHM !” Meter, measure, beat, throb, heart, pulse, wave, motion. From drumming circles to the rhythm of life, f ind rhythm in your art. Calendar Entries Accepted: Saturday January 30 , 1 1:00am - 3:00pm Sunday January 31 , 1:00 - 5:00pm Opening Reception: Friday February 5 , 6:00 - 9:00pm Last Day of Show: Friday February 26 Pick up exhibited work: Saturday Feb 27 - Sunday Feb 28 (during gallery hours)
March
Theme: TBA Calendar Entries Accepted: Saturday February 27, 1 1:00am - 3:00pm Sunday February 28, 1:00 - 5:00pm Opening Reception: Friday March 2 , 6:00 - 9:00pm Last Day of Show: Friday March 26 Pick up exhibited work: Saturday Mar 27 - Sunday Mar 28 (during gallery hours)
April
Theme: SPRING INTO ART - a regional juried art competition and exhibition. Artists age 18 and older may enter to compete for $1,000 in cash awards. Juror will select work to be exhibited and prizes to be awarded. Juror TBA Calendar Entries Accepted: Saturday March 27, 1 1:00am - 3:00pm Sunday March 28, 1:00 - 5:00pm Opening Reception: Friday April 2, 6:00 - 9:00pm Last Day of Show: Friday April 30 Pick up exhibited work : Saturday May 1 - Sunday May 2 (during gallery hours)

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