Greetings! Amazingly, here we are at the end of Season! A HUGE thank you to everyone who has volunteered recently!

It was fantastic that so many volunteered at Aprils meeting! As you can see by reading the Minutes, we had many people volunteer for open positions, and we are rapidly closing the gap on the number of volunteers needed. However, there are always new positions opening up, so stay tuned for details! The Board has recently made changes to the standards procedure in order to eliminate ambiguities and to allow for equal treatment for all of our members. The 2014 Yearbook will include the new procedure, but I would like to outline important changes here so everyone is well-informed: No exceptions will be made going forward, even though exceptions have been made in the past. This applies to all aspects of the process, including, but not limited to, the number of pieces brought to standards, volunteering, keeping up-to-date with the standards process, and participation in exhibits. If you fall behind in your standards process, you will have to start over. In order to apply for standards, you must volunteer at least once in the calendar year or four months prior to the standards review you are applying for. If you do not pay your dues in any calendar year, you will lose your standards status.

Before you start your standards process, please make sure that you are willing to commit to the schedule. We are all required to go through standards a second time just two years after our first successful standards review. Please realize that those two years will FLY by, so be prepared. Using myself as an example, I have waited until the very last opportunity to go through standards. October is my last chance to go through for the second time. I have many obstacles confronting me that could prevent me from being ready. Dont let this happen to you!! The April Friendship Meeting was hosted by Anne DeLaCroix and included a lovely boat ride on the Estero River and Bay and a short stop at Lovers Key beach. We were escorted for at least a half hour by a pod of dolphin who played in the boats wake! It was a truly delightful experience, which was followed by a delicious late lunch at the pool. I jokingly told Anne she must host every month!! Many thanks to her for such a creative and enjoyable party! Ive included a couple of photos below of our day. Its never too early to sign up to host a Friendship Meeting. For the last two years weve had them once a month from November through April. We could certainly start in October if someone would like to host. Let me know if you are interested. I will be leaving for Colorado on June 27, and will be there until late August or early September. I will have spotty internet service, so Ill be relying on my cell phone to stay connected. While I receive emails on my phone, there are a few that dont get through. If you are trying to get in touch with me via email and dont hear from me, please call my cell: 239-989-3952. Hopefully my email will work better than it has in the past: lorrainecapps@embarqmail.com. I wish you all safe travels and a wonderful summer! Lorraine

SWFL FINE CRAFT GUILD GENERAL MEETING MINUTES: APRIL 20, 2013, also recognized as the ANNUAL MEETING
Meeting called to order at 1:00 PM. Matters discussed: President Lorraine Capps requested that a minute of silence be observed to remember the victims of the Boston Marathon terrorist murders and the plant explosion in TX. Lorraine welcomed new members Maryanne Olson and Pam Richardson who introduced themselves. Lorraine mentioned that Jenny Burnham has had to resign from the VP Committee, and also congratulated Phil Krym for a third place at the recent BIG Arts Craft Exhibit. Lorraine presented and installed the new slate of offices and Board members that were elected. Their first official Board meeting will be May 18, and includes officers, committee chairpersons, and directors. Lorraine and Dee Cooper updated the 501(c)(3) project. The Board earlier today approved the final revision to the Articles. Dee will now send our application for certification to the State. Once approved, it will then be sent to the IRS for approval. (TY Dee!) Lorraine reviewed the final changes to the Standards Procedure that the Board approved earlier. The new Yearbook will have the new procedure, however, Lorraine brought a few items in the rewrite to the members attention as: (1) Hereafter, no exceptions can, or will, be made relative to any part of the standards process, or any other facet of Guild requirements to qualify for, or participate in, standards and exhibits; (2) If a member doesnt participate when required in their scheduled standards review, they will lose their place and have to start the whole process from the beginning; (3) A change in time frame for volunteering: members have to volunteer at least once in the calendar year, or within four months prior to their standards review; and (4) If a member does not pay their dues in the calendar year when they are due, they will lose their standards status. So please read the new Yearbook carefully and if you have any questions about the standards procedure, contact Jacqui Smith. Motion made and passed to approve the Minutes of the last meeting. Kathy Erickson passed around an information confirmation for the Yearbook. If you didnt attend the meeting and there is something incorrect about your listing in the current Yearbook, please contact Kathy immediately. Toni Ory reported that she and Trudy Sampson met with a representative of Ding Darling Preserve to increase our participation in their arts efforts. They are planning a Recycled Art Fair including an exhibit entitled Upcycle Art Fest. It will be held April 26 & 27, 2014. The Guild will have multiple responsibilities for this show, awards, juror, receiving, etc. Plus more mutually beneficial opportunities were identified. Marsha Bisson reported on the ACSWF Gallery at Coconut Pt. The Gallery will stay open all summer and 50 artists have committed to participate so far. Marsha will be sending out more details. Sales for April were $4,124 so far. Marsha thanked the Guild for being one of the two leading groups in sales, participation, and effort. And we thanked Marsha for an outstanding effort on her part to make the Gallery the success it has become. Sandi Krym gave the Treasurers Report. Balance as of today, $5,153.85. Phyllis Rieser reported on the Volunteer Committee and that first we needed a new Art Council of SWF Delegate to attend their meetings Nov.-April and keep the Guild updated. Naldyne Light volunteered for this position. (TY Naldyne!) Next, we need 3 more members to work with Dee and Francine Gerson on the Vice Presidents Comm. Katrina Parker, Gloria Winer, and Pam Richardson stepped up to fill these openings. (TY ALL!!!) Next, we needed a volunteer to work as a liaison with the Alliance of the Arts in Ft. Myers. Rose Young volunteered for this position. (TY Rose!) Lastly, we need an Advertising Coordinator to sell ads for our newsletter and other possible venues like exhibit sponsors, etc. Contact Phyllis if you can help out with this. Toni asked members to be on the lookout for artists that work with recycled objects and get their info so they can be contacted by herself and Trudy re the Ding Darling exhibit. Lorraine announced that the new member luncheon is May 16. Also, that the next General Membership Business Meeting will be Sept. 21. There was a request for volunteers to fill Katrina and Glorias positions on the Hospitality Comm. since they filled open positions on the VP Comm. Judy VanInwegen and Trudy volunteered to do this, (TY both!!) 50/50 drawing won by Judy. End of season gift exchange took place with lots of happy faces. Meeting adjourned: 1:50 PM.

Respectfully submitted, by Jim Sobel, Secretary

MAY, 2013
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY
April 30 Call BIG Arts to see if your work has sold! 395-0900 Let Lorraine know if you would like her to pick up your work at BIG Arts tomorrow!!!

WEDNESDAY
1.
May Day Museum of FL Arts deadline: Call for Sculptors 9-Noon Pick up from BIG Arts Fine Craft Exhibit

THURSDAY
2.
Receiving for Marcos Found Objects Exhibit 1012

FRIDAY
3. 4.

SATURDAY

5.
El Cinco de Mayo

6.
Receiving Co-op Gallery 10-1

7.
National Teacher Day

8.

9.

10. Reception
Co-op Gallery 5-7 Reception Mays Bouquets 5-7 CCAS

11.

12.
Mothers Day

13.

14.

15.

16.
New Members Luncheon @ Dee & Joe Coopers 12 Noon

17.

18.
Armed Forces Day

Board Meeting, CCAS 11

19.

20.

21.

22.

23.

24.

25.
Full Moon

26.

27.
Memorial Day

28.
FL Craftsmen Deadline: Play, Toys & Games

29.

30.

31. Receiving
Made By Hand VAC 9-Noon Removal Mays Bouquets 9-4 CCAS

Petra Kaiser won First Place for Fused Glass in the Ring of Fire Exhibit at CCAS for her piece, Temple of Love. Congratulations, Petra! Lois Johnston won Second Place for Fused Glass in the Ring of Fire Exhibit at CCAS for her piece, What a View!. Congratulations, Lois! Phil Krym won Third Place in BIG Arts Fine Craft Exhibit for his piece, Purple Cali, which is the third in a series, and is loosely based on the calla lily. Congratulations, Phil! Angela Aradia will be showing her work at the Cape Coral Library from May 1 through June 14. Congratulations, Angela! Alice Melzer will be teaching Drawing the Still Life classes at CCAS this summer. The first session is from 6/4 7/16/13 from 6-9 PM, and the second session is from 8/6 -9/17/13 from 9 AM 12 Noon. You may register at CCAS, or call 239-574-0802, or online www.capeparks.com. Be sure to check out all the classes at CCAS. Angela Aradia, June Bennett,

Alex Chung, Louis Ford, Val Jewel, Lois Johnston, and Trudy Sampson all teach at CCAS, Petra Kaiser teaches at BIG Arts, and Rose Young teaches at the Alliance. If you teach, please give Lorraine Capps details for next seasons newsletters! Maryanne Olsons new email address is: msodibsndabs@gmail.com. Jacqui Smith still has glass domes with walnut bases and removable brass hooks, 4H x 3 W for sale for $5 each. Contact Jacqui for more info. Her small Skutt Kiln 609 is still for sale, and she has reduced the price to $375!! It comes with a Kiln Sitter and furniture. 6 CU feet. Log of all firings and always covered when not in use. dreamscopes@earthlink.net; 239-772-4154.

SAVE THE CAPE CORAL ART STUDIO! The Cape Coral City Council is considering doing away with the Parks and Rec Dept., which includes the Cape Coral Art Studio! If you have not already done so, please contact City Council members as well as the Mayor and the City Manager and ask them to save the Studio. All pertinent information has been distributed, but if you would like another copy, please contact Lorraine. MEMBERSHIP UPDATE: Membership: 66 paid members. Announcement: The Yearbook goes to print in August to be ready for September's meeting. If any member has changes to addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses, please email Kathy Erickson with any changes as soon as possible at: kathye1745@centurylink.net All efforts will be taken to be sure changes are printed in the membership information of the 2014 Yearbook. CCAS GUILD CASE: May 2013: June 2013: July 2013: August 2013: September 2013: October 2013: November 2013: December 2013: January 2014: February 2014: March 2014: Stan Dzedzy Nancy Giffin Available Available Judy Van Inwegen Pam Bradfield June Bennett Sherry Moesch Craft Bash Workshop Examples Available Available

12 noon. The show will run through June 27, with removal on the 28th. More information on this exhibit can be found on their web site: www.visualartcenter.org. VOLUNTEER UPDATE: Since the Guild is entirely a volunteer organization, participation by every member is essential. Volunteering is required in order to go through the Standards process, and in order to participate in Guild-sponsored art exhibits. These volunteer positions are varied and require different amounts of time and commitment and provide a variety of opportunities. The positions that qualify are: officer or director, chair or member of a committee, assisting with Craft Bash or any other Guild-sponsored event or exhibit. Calls for volunteers go out in advance of every exhibit as well as each year for Craft Bash. Any member may serve in any capacity. Bringing food to a meeting or event, while important, does not fulfill your volunteer obligation, and neither does hosting a Friendship Meeting. We all must bring food to meetings and events if we dont want to go hungry! Although Friendship Meetings are important and provide a great opportunity for us to get to know one another better in a relaxed environment, neither hosting nor attending is required. Volunteer opportunities are constantly changing, so be sure to discuss them with Phyllis Rieser if you have any questions. The volunteer positions currently available are: Advertising Coordinator: The Advertising Coordinator could use the phone and/or email to solicit ads for our web site and newsletter. The membership could be instrumental in providing ideas for potential advertisers. We have a flyer that could be utilized which outlines the costs of our ads. Once we have advertisers, there will also be the need to keep track of their renewal dates. An assistant or assistants may be necessary. Also, please consider advertising your business with the Guild and helping to find advertisers. The rate schedule is as follows: Business card size ads: 4 newsletter issues + 6 months on web site: $50 9 newsletter issues + 12 months on web site: $75 Quarter page ads: 4 newsletter issues + 6 months on web site: $100 9 newsletter issues + 12 months on web site: $150 Ding Darling Committee: We will be looking for members to help with Ding Darlings Art Festival next April. There will be many positions available and you will be hearing details in near future. Toni Ory is Chairing this Committee, and Trudy Sampson is a member. They will need A LOT of help in the future! Please contact Phyllis Rieser regarding volunteering at PRpsych@aol.com. LONG TERM PLANNING: We are finished with Standards for this season, but you should be thinking of upcoming Guild Exhibits as you are planning your Standards Schedule. Standards Reviews are held on the second Saturday of the month during the months of October, January, and March of each year. We have the following Standards only Exhibits coming up in the future: CCAS, February, 2014 (no theme yet) Marco Island Center for the Arts, March, 2014 (Art on the Edge Of the Gulf) VAC in Punta Gorda, December, 2014 (no theme yet) CCAS, February, 2015 (no theme yet) SBDAC, July, 2015 (no theme yet) We will also have the Art Councils Spring Shows open to all Guild members in February, 2014 & February 2016. Our eligible winners from our exhibits will also be participating in the Councils Winners Circle Show in March of 2015. Check the Art Councils web site, newsletters, and brochure for other art leagues exhibits that are open to all Art Council members. CO-OP ART GALLERY UPDATE: We are now ready to swing into summer gear. As you know, the gallery will be open Thursday through Sunday for the next 6 months. We have well over 50 artists who will be in the gallery over the summer, and we are hoping for some great sales. By staying open for the summer, we are keeping our footprint in the mall and we are gaining recognition and a lot of repeat customers. Final sales figures for April are not in yet, but sales are still going strong. I would like to thank all of the Southwest Florida Fine Craft Guild artists who have participated and who will continue to participate in the gallery. It is all of you who have made the gallery so successful. Have a great summer and see you in the fall! Marsha

Contact Jeanne Kostrub to reserve your spot! 239-731-1302; jekglass@gmail.com. NEW MEMBER LUNCHEON: Our second annual new member luncheon will be held on Thursday, May 16, at 12 Noon at Dee & Joe Coopers house in Cape Coral. The Board will host the new members who joined this season. This tradition was started last year and everyone thought the luncheon was a great idea. It proved to be extremely helpful in making new members feel comfortable, in answering their questions, and in providing an opportunity for the Board to get to know them better. CALLS TO ARTISTS: CCAS Mays Bouquets Exhibit is this month. The Exhibit runs from May 3 - 30, 2013 and all area artists are invited and all media are accepted! Work must depict the theme of flowers and is open to creative interpretation in all media, with traditional imagery or imaginative interpretation of the floral world. This is a juried Exhibit. Receiving is Monday, April 29, from 9 AM 12:00 Noon. The Reception is Friday, May 10, from 5 - 7 PM, and Removal is Friday May 31, from 9 AM 4 PM. You can find more information at the Studio or by calling 239-5740802. The Marco Island Center for the Arts will be presenting their multi-media juried show, Found Objects, this month, from May 629, 2013. Receiving is Thursday, May 2 from 10 AM 12 Noon; Removal is Thursday, May 30 from 10 AM 12 Noon. The Artist Reception is Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30 7:00 PM. For more information call 239-394-4221 or go online at www.marcoislandart.org and click on Art Intake Guidelines. The Museum of Florida Art in Deland has issued a Call for Sculptors for their 2013-2015 Deland Sculpture Walk. More information can be found at www.museumoffloridaart.org. Work must be suitable for outdoor installation. Wednesday, May 1, 2013 is the deadline for submissions. If you would like a copy of their four page prospectus, contact Lorraine Capps at lorrainecapps@embarqmail.com. Florida Craftsmens Exhibit, Play: Toys & Games Made By Artists , will run from June 21-August 24, 2013. Entries must be original, executed within the last two years, and not previously shown in a Florida Craftsmen exhibition or in a gallery within 50 miles of Florida Craftsmen. Excellence of craftsmanship, concept, and design will be used as the criteria in the selection of work included in this exhibition. Humor plays well in this exhibit! The deadline for submission of images is Tuesday, May 28, 2013. www.floridacraftsmen.net. 727-821-7391. Also remember that the VAC in Punta Gorda is hosting its MADE BY HAND Photo and Fine Crafts Show this Spring. This is an excellent opportunity for Guild members! Receiving for this exhibit will be Friday, May 31, 2013 from 9 AM

HARBOUR VIEW GALLERY VISITING ARTISTS PROGRAM: The Harbour View Gallery in Cape Coral is always looking for visiting artists, This provides a great opportunity for Guild members! Many Guild members have already taken advantage of this program. To download an application, go to www.harbourviewgallery.com, click on Contact Us, and scroll down to Visiting Artist Application. You may email the gallery at art@harbourview.com, or call them at 239-540-5789. Also on their Contact Us page is a call for a new Managing Member for the Gallery. They are looking for a photographer or other 2D artist working in a medium other than oil, acrylic, or watercolor. There is a link to download that application as well. A FAVORITE RECIPE FROM THE APRIL BUSINESS MEETING: Kudos to Trudy Sampson for making those rockin rum balls! They garnered lots of attention at the April meeting. Thanks for sharing the recipe, Trudy! Chocolate Rum Balls

Makes about 48 3 1/4 cups crushed vanilla wafers 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts 3 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/2 cup rum Combine crushed vanilla wafers, 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar, cocoa and nuts. Blend in corn syrup and rum. Shape into 1-inch balls; roll in additional confectioners' sugar. Store in an airtight container several days to develop flavor. Roll again in confectioners' sugar before serving. GREETING CARDS: Please consider donating greeting cards to the Guild, whether you make them yourself or purchase them. Our Sunshine Chair, Francine Gerson, can always use cards and donations would greatly help our treasury!

The End