You can pay your annual SPRAC dues, $15.00 for individual or $20.00 per family by hitting the donate button above.

Note: You may also send your membership payment or donation by check to:
SPRArts
PO Box 1358
Benson, AZ 85602-1358 
 

San Pedro River Arts Council

Hi everyone,
February might be the shortest month, but it is certainly going to be a busy one this year!!

I'll begin by congratulating Shryl and her "change-out" crew--who did an amazing job of checking in and out all the wonderful artwork from Endeavor Gallery today!  It was very exciting to see so many of our members, new and old, bringing in work for the new installation.   I know the Gallery will look spectacular when all the new pieces have found their place on walls and pedestals.  Do stop by and check out the Gallery when you have a chance!!!

  Please note that we are finally ready to do a change out of art at the Benson Hospital.  Pick up and drop off dates are Thursday afternoon, Feb.13th, from 2 till 5 p.m., and Friday morning, Feb. 14th from 9 a.m. till 1 p.m.--which ever day is most convenient for you!  We have been working with the current Hospital Administration, and they are very excited to have new pieces coming in to brighten the hospital walls.  Suzanne Cook has developed a new, hospital approved!, system whereby we will now be allowed to put exhibit tags on works displayed throughout the hospital--which will enable viewers to immediately have information about the artwork, and which should, hopefully, facilitate sales from that venue!!

For our newer members--please note that ANY member of the Arts Council is welcome to place artwork-- (up to 5 pieces per member) in any "hangable" medium (photography is very welcome, as well as paintings, drawings, etc.)--into the hospital installation!  There is no charge to hang your work; and this is a great place to display work that has not been out in public for awhile!  (We all have that stack of art that is building up in the closet and needs to see the light of day again...  Of course we will happily accept newer pieces as well!!).  

 As an incentive to the hospital to encourage sales, we will now be giving them a 20% commission  on any piece that sells, so do price your work accordingly.  Also note that works that you hang in the hospital do NOT have to be for sale, and that will also be displayed on the exhibit tag.  To help us expedite the check-in process, would you please email me a list of any artwork that you will be bringing in for the new display so that we can have the tags prepared when you arrive--we'll need the artist's name, title of the work, medium, and price (or not for sale) for each item.

"Preregistering" hospital art is a new procedure, so please bear with us while we are getting the kinks worked out of this new system!  If you have any questions, or qualms!, about the Hospital Art Project--please contact me  (return email), or Suzanne Cook   (appraisersuzanne@gmail.com).  We do hope that many of you will participate in this worthwhile project, and maybe make a sale or two as well!!

This month's Artists Share program is scheduled for our "regular" 3rd Thursday, February 20th, beginning at noon at Endeavor Gallery.  Glen Sanner and Alan Biel will be presenting a fascinating program on the art of ASTROPHOTOGRAHY and showing examples of their amazing work.  This program should appeal to any photographer, and also to anyone who has ever wondered "How do they take those pictures of distant galaxies and far away star systems?!?  Come a bit early to get a good seat; and come prepared to ask questions--as these gentlemen will be able to enlighten us about the mysteries of space and time!!

The SPRAC "Featured Artist" for the month of February in our "Art Around Town" program  at Cochise College Benson Center is Monika Aylward.  Monika works primarily in Acrylics, and her exhibit this time features gentle florals and colorful abstract paintings, plus samples of her amazing Calligraphic work and two small "cut paper" floral pieces.  As always, exhibits at the college are free and open to the public during regular college hours  (8 a.m. til 8 p.m. Mon. thru Thurs. and 8 a.m. til 4 p.m. on Fridays), so do stop by and be inspired if you are in the neighborhood!

February is also the month when we have scheduled our annual YARD SALE to benefit the Arts Council and its on-going programs!!  (Told you it was going to be a busy month...)  Francie Taylor is in charge this year, and she has selected "Leap Day,"  Saturday, February 29th, for this event.  We ask all of our members to go through your garage, basement, closet, where ever you might be storing that "Stuff" that you know you want to get rid of--and bring it down to the Gallery on the morning of the sale (or make arrangements for an early delivery if necessary) by 8:30 a.m.

We will be happy to accept almost anything that you no longer need--tools, ceramics, glassware, clothing, SMALL pieces of furniture, jewelry, clothing, books--what ever!  And the good news is that you will NOT have to take it home again in the event that your item(s) didn't sell, as we will pass on unsold items to other deserving organizations.  I will be sending out a reminder and further information about the yard sale later this month; but in the meantime--please do begin gathering up some items that you are willing to donate to our cause!!

Of course, I hope many of you are already preparing for our 11th Annual Open, Judged, "Celebrate the Arts" Fine Art Show and Sale, which will be held during the month of March at Cochise College Benson Center!!  (We welcome art in ANY "hangable" medium EXCEPT photography, (which has its own show in the Fall)--  Information Sheets and mail-in or on-line entry forms are now available on our website  (www.sprarts.org) by clicking on the green "Celebrate the Arts" Banner at the top of the home page.  We have separate divisions for Youth, Novice, Intermediate, and Advanced/Professional Artists, with ribbons and cash prizes in each division. 
   Important dates to note are: Feb. 25th Entries Due
                                                March 2nd --bring art to the college
                                                March 6th-- judging in the a.m. and open critique beginning at 1:30
                                                March 14th--Reception and Awards Ceremony
                                                March 31st--Show comes down
   This is always a fun show, and we encourage everyone to participate, so do get those entries in!!

 And if you aren't already exhausted just thinking about all the things listed above--do head to Sierra Vista to check out the beautiful art show now going on at the Huachuca Art Association Gallery!  (1835 Paseo San Luis)  The paintings, table art and photography will be on display through February 22nd, so don't miss it...

Or you could take in the Tucson Gem and Mineral Festival....   Or, you could spend a day visiting the hundreds of vendors exhibiting their arts and crafts at the 61st Annual Tubac Festival of the Arts running Feb. 5th through the 9th.    So much art!  So little time!  
   See you at an event SOON!    Linda