Joplin Regional Artists Coalition

Annual Board Meeting

January 10, 2023

Attendees: Sandra Parrill, Andrew Batcheller, Brenda Hayes, Angel Brame, Al Gritten, Emily Rose, Daria Claiborne with 25 additional members in attendance

The meeting of the JRAC board was called to order at 6:08pm by President Andrew Batcheller.

Membership update: Current membership stands at 119. 

2022 Recap

Verdant show at artCentral: 1st Emily Rose, 2nd Sandra Parrill, 3rd Margie Moss, Honorable Mentions Brooks-Elizabeth Billings, Kristin Girard, and Dianne Miller, Theme Adherence Misty White

They Eyes Have It at Post Memorial Library: 1st Emily Rose, 2nd Ginger Copeland, 3rd Curt Penland, Honorable Mentions Veronica Carr, Jade Henning Cantrell, Jesse McCormick, Theme Adherence Steve Head

Emerging Artists at Spiva Center for the Arts: 1st Whitney Fair, 2nd Claire Bruening, 3rd Abigail Harrold, Honorable Mentions Ashley Brown, Olivia Passeri, Gentry Warren

Pizza Wine Think Tanks 2022: Canvas Prep and Stretching by Andrew Batcheller and General Art Topics by the Board. Both events were well attended and much appreciated. This type of event has taken the place of Saturday morning coffee talks to encourage more attendance as they are held on a weekday evening. 

Plein Air in conjunction with Spiva Center for the Arts: This event was held in September and had 25 participants. Social media played a huge role in spreading the word of the workshop and competition. The feedback was overall very positive with encouragement to have the event again. Potential date for 2023 is late spring.

Workshops and Professional Development: Gold Leaf Workshop by Andrew Batcheller and Watercolor Technique by Debbie Reed. Andrew reported that the workshop was a success and everyone had a lot of fun while learning the technique. Debbie reported that the goal of the workshop was to introduce landscape painting techniques in a step by step manner as well as giving helpful tips on plein air painting with the medium. Everyone fully enjoyed the workshop and took the tips and made them their own.

Studio Tour 2022: Daria Claiborne reported that 13 artists in seven studios represented JRAC in the tour. It was held for two days in November and allowed a deposit of $867 in the JRAC bank account. Rough count was 70 guests attended. Daria gave the reminder that artists not wanting or not able to have guests in their studio/home can get space at our “Home Base” at Martin Luther School in Joplin. Daria also made the request for any volunteers who might want to help with 2023’s studio tour.

JPD Fundraiser: As members of the Joplin community, JRAC established a fundraiser to assist the families of the fallen police officers following their tragic deaths in early 2022. $1093 was raised and disbursed to the three families via a silent auction of donated works.

Afghan Refugee Donation: Five families escaping Afghanistan were helped via donations of household goods by members. Goods were gathered and delivered to First United Methodist Church so that the families could “shop” for what they needed to set up their households.

Budget for 2022 and 2023: 2021 beginning balance $8,789.43 with $7,445.50 incoming funds for the year and $7,510.09 outgoing funds for the year. 2023 budget included $6,250 potential income and $62350 potential outgoing funds.

2023 Looking Forward

Foiled Again at artCentral: The theme is metal, though it is not a requirement. Pieces for the exhibit need to be dropped off at artCentral on January 22nd from 2-4pm. A photo of each piece needs to be emailed to joplinrac@gmail.com no later than 1/18. No wet work will be accepted. Opening reception has been scheduled for February 3rd from 6pm to 8pm with a snow date if necessary.

Front and Center at Maple UnCommon: This show is scheduled for the months of June and July with additional details including drop off as it gets closer. We are excited to return to Columbus as Laura Lowry-Greene is a wonderful host.

Show at Spiva Center for the Arts: JRAC will resume its spot in the late fall of 2023 in conjunction with the annual membership show. Additional details will be provided as it gets closer.

Beyond 2023: Additional venues are being sought including Cottey College, Post Art Memorial Gallery in the library, and Elements Gallery. Any additional suggestions are welcome and encouraged.

Pizza Wine Think Tank: February 9th from 6-8pm at Spiva Center for the Arts is the first event scheduled for 2023. The topic is to meet new and existing board members. Pizza and wine will be served. A second event is being scheduled for late spring. That event is being hosted by Daria Claiborne with the topic of getting started in ceramics.

Plein Air 2023: Spiva Center for the Arts is currently working on the planning of this year’s event. Tentative time frame is March. Additional details will be provided as they become available.

Studio Tour 2023: This year’s event will be the first weekend in November. Additional artists are encouraged to become a part of the tour. Anyone wishing to volunteer to help with the organization of the event should contact Daria Claiborne.

ArtsFest: Brenda Hayes reported that the event is still up in the air regarding location. Any information will be sent out to membership as it becomes available.

Crystal Bridges: Another potential activity for JRAC members is a caravan-type trip to Crystal Bridges to see the latest exhibit as a group. The next major exhibit is Diego Rivera that runs March 11th to July 31st.

Open Floor Discussion: Professional Development request of having an all-inclusive topic rather than a technique specific topic. Some suggested topics: How to find shows/galleries, how to find festivals, art business accounting, how to take quality images of 3-D pieces, etc. Brenda Hayes volunteered to look into listing shows and events on our social media accounts as a way to notify membership of these opportunities.

Election of board members: Two current board positions are up for renewal. Members nominated for the positions are Cleo Copeland, Justin Kidston, and Valorie Ockert. Ballots were distributed and counted. Open three-year terms have been filled with Cleo Copeland and Justin Kidston. 

The meeting was declared adjourned at 7:16pm by Andrew Batcheller. The next meeting of the JRAC Board will be at the library on February 14th at 6pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Angel Brame, Secretary