Important GAL Business!
We have made two important decisions that affect all GAL members:
First, it no longer seems to provide any benefit to our members to have “associate” and “full” membership categories. So we have decided that all members will now be able to participate in all shows and activities, including the summer outdoor show on the green. This change will also simplify our record keeping and reduce confusion for our members about their status.
Second, because our total assets have been slowly dwindling over the last several years and we need to cover our operating expenses, it is necessary for GAL to raise our annual membership dues for all members to $30/year starting in 2024. We will send a notice in early January about renewing your dues.
FINALLY, ANOTHER PLEA FOR HELP…
The Guilford Art League has an astounding history of more than 75 years of serving shoreline artists and art lovers with its many shows and activities. In order to continue this contribution, we need a few more members to join our coordinating committee. In recent months, Cathy Weiss has offered to assume the job of treasurer, Brooke Sheldon will organize the member and juried shows, Wendy Kohli will be in charge of the newsletter, and Steffi Cretella, Ed Lent, and Sandee Spahr will also contribute to our coordinating committee.
Joining the coordinating committee does not involve difficult or time-consuming tasks, but they are of vital importance for our organization to flourish in the coming years. We have a great organization and so many dedicated volunteers! Let’s keep it going!
Sheila and Denise — both of whom have been key players for more than a decade — will gladly assist new committee members for a smooth transition to a new committee.
We hope to hear from you very soon about this vital matter. The league can only persist if members take responsibility for its well-being. Contact Sheila Kaczmarek Sheila.f.kaczmarek@gmail.com or 203.645.8827.
2024 Calendar of Events
Postcards of GAL’s calendar of activities in 2024 will be mailed out shortly.
75th Annual Juried Show
First prize—“Winter Sunset” by Helen Cantrell
Sculpture Prize—“Lion Cub” by Sandra Spahr
The juried show was a spectacular one with around 200 pieces of work submitted. The juror, Jeanne Criscola, said she enjoyed selecting the show and was impressed with the standard of work submitted (as our jurors always are!). Four pieces of art work were sold, including the first prize in sculpture by Sandee Spahr. The viewers’ choice went to Jan Cohen for her painting “Shed Party.” Ava Orphanoudakis was in charge of organizing the volunteers, and we thank all those who helped. The show could not take place without the dedication of so many members.
Community Center Show
We now exhibit members’ work in the stairwell and ground floor corridor of the Guilford Community Center, which means a lot more exposure. Selections from the current show are up on our website. (guilfordartleague.org). We had a very successful opening reception for the show last February, and we plan to do the same this coming year on Tuesday, February 6, 5–7 pm. The Menunkatuck Room will be open during the reception for members to see the show upstairs.
Member Shows
We had two member shows in 2023, one in the Guilford Library in March and one in the Scranton Library in July. We will have only one show this year in March 2024 at the Guilford Free Library. (If any member would like to take the slot at the Scranton Library in July for a solo show, contact Kari at the library, 203.245.7365, ext 1023.)
Pictured from the 2023 Member Show—“Broken and Together Again” by Raphael DiLauro
Carry in Supper – May 2023
Our carry-in supper was held at the Guilford Art Center on May 18 during the run of the Gallery One show. Members enjoyed a variety of delicious food and their fellow artists’ company and had the opportunity to see the great art being displayed.
Valentine H. Zahn Community Gallery Show
The art league was given an exhibit at the gallery at Middlesex Health Medical Center in Westbrook from June–August 2023. Thirty-nine pieces of art were shown at the impressive facilities, and the center gave us a very nice reception for artists and visitors.
Outdoor Summer Show on the Guilford Green
In spite of the inclement weather—the whole exposition closed early because of thunderstorms and heavy rain!—this year’s exhibition was a success. We had over 20 member exhibitors from the league. Many thanks to Jodi Marra for her hard work organizing this important event for the league.
Richard Cretella Scholarship
Last May GAL member Steffen Cretella presented awards totaling $3,600 in memory of her father Richard Cretella, a long-time GAL member, to two graduating seniors at Guilford High School. The recipients were Emily Hopkins and Weston Thomas, who plan to pursue careers in the arts.
Exhibits in Doctors’ Offices
We are pleased that GAL member Wendy Kohli is currently exhibiting work in the waiting room of Shoreline Eye Associates, 515 Boston St. (Route 146), Guilford. Members and guests are invited to view the exhibit during office hours. We are looking for members who would like to show their work at this venue for two months at a time. Contact Denise Casey, dencasey@comcast.net, 203-453-1609.
The doctors’ offices at 669 Boston Post Rd. in Guilford also have an excellent space in which to exhibit art work. If you would like more details about showing there, contact Sheila Kaczmarek, Sheila.f.kaczmarek@gmail.com, 203.645.8827.
Happy New Year to all our GAL friends!
Guilford Art League 