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PRESIDENTS MESSAGE:

Can you believe fall begins in less than 2 weeks, it would be great if the outdoor temperatures agreed with Mother Nature:).  

The officers of the Art Council has been working over the summer to improve our procedures and work to ensure all our artists understand their role in the success of the organization.  I especially have to thank Don and Judi for all their work in the gallery.  One of the last items that needs to be addressed is the back log of artwork left in the back office.  Some of this artwork has been left there for over 90 days, some as long as a year.  By the end of September, all the artists who have artwork in the back will be contacted, they will have until October 30th to remove the artwork from the back.  Any artwork left still left in the back on November 1st will become the property of the Art Council of SW Florida.  In season will have a auction of the artwork with the proceeds benefiting increased advertising for the Co-op.  Details to follow.

As always, we need additional volunteers to help us with the running of the art council.   Please contact any of the officers if you are interested in volunteering.

Next April new officers will be installed during the general meeting.  Officers to be elected include- President, 1st Vice President, and Secretary.  Remaining in office will be the Treasurer and 2nd Vice President (Gallery Director).  I would like to present a slate of officers for election at the March general council meeting.  If you are interested in serving in any capacity or if you would like more information, please contact me.

Finally- Please help us keep the website updated, send information on events, fundraisers, classes and workshops to [email protected].

 
 Thank you-
 
Aimee Schlehr
President
WEBSITE UPDATES- The website has been updated with as much information as available.  Additional information is needed and we are asking for each organizational leader to please send us the information. Please send either a PDF or a website link for the following information:
Fundraising events, outdoor shows, exhibition opportunities, classes and workshops. 

Additionally, the website has been updated with council meeting location and dates, receiving dates and reception dates.  
Coop Gallery

Gallery telephone #: 239-949-3073
Reminder: Next Receiving will be held TUESDAY, Oct 4, 2016 
10:00am-1:00pm.

August Sales: $1,682.00     YTD Sales: $23,951.00
Commissions to artists: $1,130.54  
  
Thank you to all the artists who will be exhibiting in September.  The artwork submitted this month is really impressive.  Thank you to Don Hutchinson for pushing the envelope to increase the profile of the gallery, it looks spectacular. 

We will start hosting monthly receptions in November, in the past Shirley Blake has spearheaded this effort.  This season we would like to have a committee to help organize these receptions.  Please contact Don Hutchinson if you are interested in serving on this committee.

Please remember when you are working in the gallery you represent all the artists in the Co-op as well as yourself. Working in the gallery is a requirement of exhibiting in the Co-op. I would rather not call it gallery sitting as it implies that you are there to sit.  The success of the gallery depends on each of us being active customer service representatives, greeting customers, asking if they need help, letting them know sales from the gallery support local artists and the local economy.  Buying artwork is personal and we need to help our clients get to know our artists and feel the connection to the artwork they are purchasing.  As an example, the Naples Art Association annually sells twice as much as the Coop, the volunteer sales person engages customers in conversation and helps them choose the perfect pieces. the gift shop space is about 200 square feet and the average price of the artwork is $125.00. If we all work together we can increase the sales thus increasing awareness of the Coop.  

In an effort to become better sales representatives and to get to know your fellow artist, we will be hosting a Fall Kickoff get together on Thursday, September 22nd from 4-6pm.  I strongly encourage everyone who works in the gallery to join us for this get together.  

Let's continue to improve the status of the gallery, increase sales and increase awareness.  We all win when the Co-op is successful.
 
Feel free to contact me with any suggestions or questions.  
Thank you,
Don Hutchinson: [email protected]
Gallery Director
Vice President, ACSWF


W-9 Form                            
2017 Winners Circle

The 2017 Winners Circle will be on view at the Naples Art Association from February 4 through March 4, 2017.  

ARTISTS- If you are chosen to be included in the Winners Circle, please fill out the attached Invited artist waiver and entry form along along with the $15.00 entry fee to ACSWF, 8074 Mediterranean Dr, Estero, FL 33928.  Forms and payment are due by October 25, 2016 to be included in the Winners Circle booklet.  
 
Receiving will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 from 10am-2pm at the Naples Art Association.  Judging will take place on Thursday.  Presidents voting will be on Thursday and Friday, January 26 & 27,2017 from 10am-4pm.

Awards to be given include 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Judge's choice in both 2D & 3D. A President's Choice Award will also be given.
 
Opening reception will be Friday, February 3, 2017 from 5:30p-7:30p.  All exhibiting artists and one guest may attend for free, all other guest will be $10.00 (this is an NAA policy not an ACSWF policy).

Eligibility Sheet for Organizational Leaders
Winner Circle Invited Artist Waiver and Entry Form 
2015-2016 CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, OUTDOOR SHOWS, SPECIAL EVENTS, EXHIBITS AND MORE. 
2016-17 Art Council General Meeting Schedule:
The general council meetings will be held on the second Tuesday of each month December to April.  The November meeting will be held on Thursday due to election day on Nov. 8th.  Social time will start at 9:30am with the meeting starting at 10:00am.  Each month we will have a demonstrating artist and a key note speaker. More details are available on the website. 

Nov 10, 2016- Estero Art League
Dec 13, 2016- Center for the Arts of Bonita Springs
Jan 10, 2017- Arts of the Inland
Feb 14, 2017- Visual Arts Center, Punta Gorda
Mar 14, 2017- Cape Coral Art League
Apr 11, 2017- Naples Art Association (this will include the election of officers)
NEWSLETTERS OF MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS  

- ECHO Newsletter of the Arts of the Inland online                           artsoftheinland.com
- ART CENTER NEWS, Centers for Arts Bonita Springs                       artcenterbonita.org
- ArtENews Newsletter of the Naples Art Association online            naplesart.org  
- NEWS- E-MAIL Lee County Alliance for the Arts online                   artinlee.org .
- SWFFCG NEWSLETTER Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild             swflfinecraftguild.org .
- VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF PUNTA GORDA NEWSLETTER                    VisualArtCenter.org .
- BRUSHOFF Newsletter of Fort Myers Beach Art Association           fortmyersbeachart.com
- ISLAND PAINTER Newsletter of Sanibel-Captiva Art Association     sancapart.com . 

Art Council of Southwest Florida |  | 239-949-3073 | artcouncilofsouthwestflorida.org