Friday, November 30, 2012

Holiday Party

Holiday Potluck and Tessarae Exchange
Members and guests welcome
Bring a dish, food or beverage to share in the potluck
Also bring a bag of tessarae to exchange - tile, glass, whatever

Wednesday, December 12, 2013 from 7:00 to 9:30 PM

Hosted by Beth Karjala
1700 Lexington Ave. South, Apt. 406, Lilydale
651-686-0734
Just across the river from the West Seventh area of St. Paul

Directions -
Going South on 35E from St. Paul,
Just South of the Mississippi River,
Exit South on MN Hwy. 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway)
Left at Lexington
Left at second driveway into the parking lot
Ring Apartment 406

See you there

Friday, November 16, 2012

November 2012 Meeting Summary

Thank you to Trudy Vrchota for hosting our meeting and providing the best chocolate chip cookies.

Leadership posts for 2013:
President, Trudy Vrchota
Treasurer, Danette Polglase
Memberships, Danette
Member list coordination/updates, Susan Mathis

Budget for 2013 - current actual balance approx. $300
Guild Membership, MN Tile Association - Paid until 2014
Guild Membership, NE Mpls. Arts Association - Due for 2013
MN Tile Festival (Sept.) - on hold until status of festival established
Food and refreshments for shows (approx. $100 per show)
Additional tools to outfit traveling workshop bin - to be determined

Holiday potluck and tessarae exchange - no meeting, just social
December 12, 2013, 7:00- 9:30
Good time to pay 2013 memberships - $25
Host - Beth Karjala
1700 Lexington Ave. South (apt. 406), Lilydale 55118
651-686-0734
Directions going south on 35E, St. Paul:
Just south of the Mississippi River,
Exit South on MN Hwy. 13 (Sibley Memorial Highway)
Left at Lexington Avenue
Left at second driveway into the parking lot
Please bring food for potluck and a bag of tessarae to exchange

February 13, 2013 Meeting
Host - Barb Steen, St. Louis Park - details and directions forthcoming
Topic - Tools and Tricks of the trade
Bring your used tools to donate to our traveling workshop bin.

Spring Members' Show - Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street, Hopkins, MN  55343
952-979-1100
Coordination by Janine Irisari
Drop off art - Tuesday, March 5
Reception - Thursday, March 7
Show - March 7 thru April 14
Pick up art - Monday, April 15
Center hours - 8AM-8PM M-F; 10AM-8PM Sat.; 12-5PM Sunday
Full details at February 13 Guild meeting

April 10 Meeting
Host - Micah Bach Kinder, South Mpls.
Topics - Fused glass demonstration, using a special oven within a microwave
     3-D Art challenge - members bring a 3D mosaic piece for discussion

June 12 Meeting
Host - Susan Mathis, Woodbury
Topic - Photographing mosaics

September 11 Meeting
Host - Mosaic-on-a-Stick (new location), St. Paul
Fall Members' Show kickoff
Members' Choice and People's Choice awards

November 13 Meeting
Presentation - Springboard for the Arts

December 11 Meeting
Host - Beth Karjala
Members bring mosaic candle holder - prizes for choice 

We look forward to Trudy's leadership in 2013.  It has been a pleasure to be prez the last three years.  Thank you for all your support and hard work.  You are all an inspiration.  I will remain heavily involved.  - Gil

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Hi All,

As a follow-up to this evening's meeting, I'm sending out a post to show you that we can ALL post on the blog.  I was surprised to hear that you all think that only a couple of people can do this.  I'll now send out an email to give you THE VERY SIMPLE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO DO THIS.  I'll even attach and photo just for fun and also tell you how to do this.

Friday, November 2, 2012

November 2013 Mosaic Guild Meeting

Everyone is welcome(members and non-members alike) to
November 14 Guild Meeting - Planning for 2013
6:30 - 9:30 PM beginning with 1/2 hour social time
Trudy Vrchota's home
6943 Sand Ridge Road, Eden Prairie, MN
952-934-0804
Directions:
From Hwy. 62 Crosstown, South on County Road 60
Left on Sand Ridge Road, house on the right
Agenda pretty much open:
Shows for 2013
Initiatives, projects, ideas for meeting topics and venues

December Holiday Party Pot Luck and tessarae exchange
December 12, 2012, 7:00 - 9:30
Beth Karjala's home
1700 Lexington Ave. (apt. 406), Lilydale, MN  55118
651-686-0734
Directions from I-35E, St. Paul:
Just South of the Mississippi River,
Exit South at MN Hwy. 13 (Sibley Memorial Hwy.)
Left at Lexington Ave.
Left at second driveway into the parking lot.
Please bring a bag of tessarae to exchange

Mosaic-on-a-Stick is planning to move into its new building early next year.
Reminder - pick up any art, unfinished work, etc. that belongs to you.
Anything not picked up before the move becomes the property of MOS.

Next Members' Show
Coordinated by Janine Irisari
March 7 - April 14, 2013
Hopkins Center for the Arts
1111 Main Street, Hopkins, MN  55343
Phone 952-979-1100
Drop off art Tuesday, March 5
Reception Thursday, March 7
Pick up art Monday, April 15
More details forthcoming

Friday, October 5, 2012

Member's 8x8 Samples

Anyone who attended this summer's Minnesota Mosaic Guild member's show at the 3Ten Gallery or the Minnesota Tile Festival would have seen the wonderful samples of various MMG member mosaic styles.  This group of samples has been around for most of the life of the Guild, and is a striking example of the creative variability among our members.

Over the years the wall has changed as some samples have been sold and new members have joined the Guild.  Members who are not represented are encouraged to submit a sample of their work.  As pieces sell, members are asked to replace work that has been sold.  Currently, many of our members are not represented, so consider this a shout-out to submit an 8x8 sample of work (ready to hang).  Some members have more than one piece among the samples; something that's also encouraged.

We have consistently displayed these samples at the annual Minnesota Tile Festival in September.  When there is room, we have also displayed them at our member shows.  Essentially, it's an easily transported show in itself that truly shows the diversity of our talent.  At any rate, we encourage all members to be represented in this way, so if you are not currently represented, please bring a sample to any Guild meeting.  I will be sure it becomes part of our ongoing sample show.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

September Meeting Summary - Updates

Alert - Gallery 3Ten pickup for our Summer Members Show after September 19
The show is currently being dismantled and packaged for you pickup beginning September 20
310 South Main St., Stillwater
Hours - 10:00-6:00 Mon.-Sat., 10:00-5:00 Sundays

Next Guild meeting, Wednesday November 14, 6:30-9:30 PM
Trudy Vrchota's home
6943 Sand Ridge Rd., Eden Prairie
Directions and details will be posted around November 1st
This is our annual planning meeting

December Pot Luck and Tessarae Exchange
Our annual event will be at Beth Karjala's home in Lilydale
December 12, 7:00-9:30 PM
Bring something to eat and a bag of tessarae to exchange
More details forthcoming

2013 Guild Members' Show - Janine Irisari coordinating
Hopkins Center for the Arts
March 7-April 14
March 7 Reception
Drop-off/delivery on Tuesday March 5
Pick-up on Monday April 15
Additional details forthcoming

Our 8x8 samples were on display at the 3Ten Gallery show and at the September 15 Tile Festival.  This is a traveling show that demonstrates our creative and diverse styles.  I encourage all members, especially new ones, to submit an 8x8 to represent each individual's work.  Pieces may be submitted at any Guild meeting.  This is a body of work that continually changes as pieces sell and are hopefully replaced by each artist.  Judy Sell has worked with Mosaic-on-a-Stick to store these pieces as they are in itself a traveling show.

Mosaic-on-a-Stick expects to move to its new building in January 2013.  If you have any work on display, for sale, in the back room, in process, or whatever, please pick it up to ease the move to the new building.  No guarantees about the status of items left behind.

Karin of "Karin Gallery" fame is conducting classes on Color Boards using oil paints
Monday nights for 8 weeks
Call Edina Art Center at 952-903-5789 for details

Friday, August 31, 2012

September Meeting and Updates

Wednesday, September 12, 2012 Guild Meeting
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Janine Irisari's Home
18075 2nd Ave. North
Plymouth, MN
763-476-0341
Non-members always welcome

Directions:
Hwy. 12/Interstate 394 West to MN Hwy. 101
North to 3rd Ave. North
West (left) to Queensland Lane
South (left) to 2nd Ave. North
West (right) to 18075
Topics - Presentation and discussion of monochrome pieces (see previous blogs)
Recording your work

Agenda:
Pick up of 3Ten Gallery pieces after September 19.
Art on Main Event - Stillwater
St. Michael field trip - report/feedback
Minnesota Tile Festival, September 15th, American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave. So, Mpls.
Mosaic-on-a-Stick new home - if you have work there, pick it up soon
"Veggie Garden" project, Lori Greene and Holistic Health Farms
Hopkins Art Center show, March-April 2013

November 2013 Planning Meeting:
Trudy Vrchota's home, Eden Prairie




Friday, July 27, 2012

Summer Guild Show

Stunning as usual.  That's how I describe our show currently at the 3Ten Gallery in Stillwater.  If you haven't seen it yet, you must.  Hung by gallery manager Mandi Wallace, each artist is represented in an individual space, and a very large space it is.  See the previous blog for gallery location and times.

Regarding our individual contracts with the gallery:
The contract should have also included a clause concerning artist commission that result from exposure at the 3Ten gallery.  Essentially, when a customer arranges a commission with an artist as a result of seeing the artist's work at a gallery, the artist is ethically obligated to provide a portion of that commission to the gallery.  While the in-house commission at the 3Ten gallery is 50%, the commission for work done following 3Ten gallery exposure is 25%.  This arrangement is typical in the art world and would be a good topic for future Guild meeting discussion, perhaps presented by a reputable arts organzation like Springboard.  I'll put it on our agenda for next year's planning.

September 12 Guild Meeting:
Will be at Janine Irisari's home - location and direction details will be provided closer to the date.
Members are encouraged to develop one or more "monochrome" works to bring and discuss at the meeting.
Work should be no larger than 8x8 inches, or 8x8x8 if three-dimensional.
Janine has also been asked to show her craft in paper cutting.

Friday, July 20, 2012

Summer Members Show

The summer 2012 Minnesota Mosaic Guild Members' Show is at hand.

3Ten Gallery - third floor
310 South Main Street
Stillwater, MN  55082
651-439-6246

Reception Nights:
Friday July 20th and Saturday July 21st
6:30 - 9:30 PM
Includes food and wine for refreshments
Music throughout Stillwater the entire weekend - Friday through Sunday
Music by David Means in the third floor gallery on Saturday night

Regular gallery hours:
Sunday, 10 AM to 5PM
Monday through Saturday, 10AM to 6PM

Final two nights:
Friday September 14 and Saturday September 15
Open until 9:00 PM
Coincides with Stillwater's quarterly "Art on Main" event a huge draw to multiple galleries in town



Thursday, July 19, 2012

Mosaic Guild Field Trip

Susan Demeules has arranged for a viewing of the mosaic work completed by Christine Carlisle at the St. Michael's Catholic Church (in St. Michael, Minnesota) on August 11 from 9:00 to 10:30 AM.

Directions:
I-94 West to the St. Michael exit
Follow County Rd. 241
St. Michael Catholic Church
11300 Frankfort Pkwy NE
St. Michael, MN  55376
763-497-2745

Six to Eight people have shown interest so far, so it is a go.  I will be at a wedding in Two Harbors, so won't be able to make it.  Hopefully some other time.

Thank you to Susan for arranging this.

Friday, June 22, 2012

June 13 Meeting Summary:

Summer Members' Show
Gallery 3Ten
310 South Main Street, Stillwater
651-439-6246
Drop off ready to hang work, pedestals for 3D available
Saturday, July 14 10AM-6PM
Sunday, July 15 10AM-5PM
Monday, July 16 10AM-6PM
5-6 pieces per member, more if your work is all small
8x8 pieces will also be on display
Contracts will be available at the gallery
Third floor gallery/no elevator so consider weight of pieces
All pieces must be for sale - 50% commission to the gallery
Reception nights:
Friday and Saturday, July 20-21, 6:30-9:30
Wine and food both noghts; music on Saturday
Suzanne Desmeules is working on organizing a St. Michael church field trip
Susan Mathis will post details when arranged

September 12 meeting:
Topic - Recording your work
Member Challenge - bring monochromatic work 8x8 or smaller
One color of tile, or black, or white
Janine Irisari's home - Plymouth

Minnesota Tile Festival - September 15
American Swedish Institute, 2600 Park Ave. South, Mpls.
Judy Sell Coordinating - Call to volunteer 651-430-2593

Mosaic-on-a-Stick is moving sometime this fall, just up Snelling Avenue
Hamline Park Building designed by Clarence Wigington,
the first African-American architect to design public buildings

Lori Greene is currently working on the "Veggie Grande" project
A mosaic project depicting garden vegetables and fruits
Partnering with Holistic Health Farms, an urban farm organization
Donations to the effort are welcome, more information forthcoming

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Here is the new home of Mosaic on a Stick.  What a sweet building! But...it's going to get even sweeter!

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Our Spring Show reception at MOS was very well attended.  Remember that the show goes through May 19.  If you haven't yet voted for the Members Choice award, please be sure to do so.  The winners of the two awards will be announced at the end of the show.  There was a lot of beautiful new work at the show.  I'm posting a few highlights.










Saturday, April 21, 2012

Spring Show 2012

There are many beautiful pieces at our Spring Show at Mosaic on a Stick.  Here is a photo of our Style Sampler.  Come to the show to cast your vote for the Members' Choice award.  Let the voting begin!

Friday, April 13, 2012

April 11, 2012 Meeting Minutes

2012 member show postcards (both shows) are available at Mosaic-on-a-Stick (MOS)
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
651-645-6600

April 21 through May 19 show at MOS
Reception April 28, 7-9:00 PM
Members may still drop off art through April 20th
There will be Members' Choice and People's Choice awards of $75 each in MOS gift certificates. Voting throughout the show.
Also look for the City Pages ad the Wednesday before the show.

Summer show in Stillwater July 20 - September 15
See previous blogs for details - further details at June meeting
Judy Sell and Jo Shaddy will collaborate to come up with a sandwich board for the show.

Next meeting, June 13 - Edina Arts Center, 6:30 - 9:00 PM
Topic - Members bring other media sources (books, artworks, stories, etc.) that inspire/inform your mosaic work.
Address and directions will preceed meeting.

Fall Tile Festival at the American Swedish Institute on September 15
Judy Sell is coordinating - please call her to volunteer 651-430-2593
We will display our 8x8 member samples.

Future shows under arrangement - coordination by Janine Irisari and Barb Steen
Hopkins Arts Center, March 7 through April 14
Bloomington Arts Center, 2014

Our April meeting topic was discussion of our work for this spring's MOS show.
Be sure to attend April 28 reception and vote for your choice.
Bring family and friends.

Thank you, Lori for hosting the meeting.

Last notes:
Finding a home for our Haiti Project is still pending.
Watch for possible field trip details this summer.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

April 11 Guild Meeting

April 11, 2012 Guild Meeting
6:30-9:30 PM, Social time 6:30-7:00, Meeting thereafter
Location:
Mosaic-on-a-Stick (MOS)
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
651-645-6600

Bring your new 8x8 inch work for our sample displays at spring and summer Guild shows and the fall tile show.
Also bring your work for the April 21 through May 19 Member's show at MOS; Reception April 28, 7-9:00 PM
Members will present and discuss their work for the show, and vote on a member's choice award ($75 MOS gift certificate).
A $75 People's Choice MOS gift certificate will also be awarded at the end of the show.
If you're unable to attend the April 11 meeting, you may bring your work to MOS by April 20 for entry in the show.

Meeting agenda:
Postcards are available at MOS for spring and fall shows.
Summer show (July 20-Sept. 15) at Gallery 3ten, Stillwater - update, final details at June Guild Meeting
Haiti Project update - Lori Greene and Susan Mathis.
Other community projects.
2013 shows being planned.
Fall tile festival - coordination by Judy Sell
Field trip plans.
June Meeting location - Edina Arts Center?

See you at 6:30 at Mosaic-on-a-Stick

Saturday, February 25, 2012

February Meeting Minutes (continued)

See spring and summer Guild show details in previous (February 24) posting.

Meeting updates:
The June 13 meeting will be at the Edina Arts Center from 6:30 to 9:00; note shorter hours due to center's 9:00 closing time.
Address and directions will be posted beforehand.
Topic- Inspiration from other media and other artworks. Bring books and artwork to show sources of inspiration.

September 12 Guild meeting will be at Janine Irisari's home in Plymouth.
Topic pending (paper cutting?)

November 14 Guild meeting location pending. Several people (including me) are exploring locations.
Let me know if something develops at (651)582-8359.

December 12 annual pot luck and tesserae exchange at Susan Mathis' home in Woodbury.

Agenda topics discussed:
Venues for 2013 and 2014 shows are being explored by various members. Hopkins and Bloomington Art Centers are pending.
Danette Polglase is collecting digital images for submission with applications. Please send one or two jpeg images (1megabyte, 300 dpi resolution) to Danette.Polglase@Perficient.com, giving titles and sizes of work.

A previous discussion was revived about creating photo catalogs of our shows, but consensus was that the cost would be prohibitive. Perhaps we could post pics from each show on this blog.

Other topics:
The annual Minnesota Tile Festival will again be held at the American Swedish Institute Saturday, September 15
The Guild will participate for a fee and needs volunteers to staff the booth.
Judy Sell will coordinate - please contact her at (651)430-2593 to volunteer.
In the past we have shown our 8x8's but they will be in our summer Guild show in Stillwater - I'll work something out.

Installation of the Haiti mural project is still on hold. You may recall that the "No Time for Poverty" executive board had reservations about the piece possibly offending some people who would use the pediatric clinic. Lori Greene continues to explore sites in Haiti. There was also some discussion about future community projects of a similar vein.

Lori Greene is exploring the development of a mosaic oriented non-profit organization. Guild members discussed various means of raising funds to support that effort.

Suzanne Demeules discussed her experience with the invitation to submit proposals for mosaics at the International Airport. It was noticed that one of her pieces was featured in the proposal without permission, compensation or credit to her. Through her research, she found that, once images (like hers) are posted in cyberspace, it's hard to control their use. After contacting the person coordinating the project, credit was given to Suzanne. EmptyEasel.com was mentioned as a website that provides information on how to protect your images.

Other cyberspace sites such as "Contemporary Mosaic Artists" and Pinterest for general mosaic interest were also noted. Susan Mathis also brought up the thought of "MoBombing" in the tradition of "KnitBombing" where artists create public works in unsuspecting places. Sounds like we have a movement going. Google knitbombing for inspiration.

While the meeting was rather long due to much Guild business, several members showed and discussed 8x8 samples of their work.

Friday, February 24, 2012

February 9 Meeting Minutes and Updates

Treasurer's Report: Account Balance at approximately $1200.

Memberships are due for 2012, $25 to Minnesota Mosaic Guild; mail to Danette Polglase at 22289 Olind Trail, Scandia 55073. The membership list was also circulated for individual update.

April 11 Guild Meeting:
Mosaic-on-a-Stick
595 North Snelling, St. Paul
651-645-6600
Bring work for our spring show at MOS - this year's theme, "Reflections".
Members will vote for Member's Choice Award - a $75 gift certificate for MOS
Also bring your new 8x8 work for the show.
Those who aren't able to attend the April 11 meeting, bring their work by April 20th
Reception Date:
Saturday, April 28, 7-9:00 PM
$150 has been allocated for food and drink, Lori will make arrangements
Show dates:
Saturday, April 21 through Saturday May 19
Gallery hours - Tues. 10-7, Wed. 10-4, Th. 10-9, Fri. 10-4, Sat. 10-6
There will also be a $75 People's Choice gift certificate that will be voted on throughout the show.
Judy Sell will be developing a postcard for this show and our summer show.
You may pick up your work the last day of the show and thereafter.

June 13 Guild Meeting:
Tentatively at the Edina Arts Center, Barb Steen is exploring that venue.
Topic - Inspiration from other media/artwork; bring samples

Annual Guild Member's Summer Show:
Gallery 310
310 South Main Street, Stillwater 55082
651-439-6246
Drop-off dates, July 14, 15 and 16. We will use the 3rd floor gallery; no elevator, so consider the weight of your pieces when delivering. The gallery takes 50% commission, consider that when pricing your work. Typical paperwork will be on hand.
Reception Dates:
Friday, July 20 and Saturday, July 21, 6:30-9:30 PM
Wine provided by the gallery; the Guild has budgeted some for snacks.
Show dates:
July 20 through September 15
Gallery hours - Mon.-Sat., 10-6, Sunday 10-5:00
Closing 2 days of show coincide with quarterly Art on Main Event that draws around 10,000 people. The Gallery and Art on Main folks will do some local promotion. The Guild is also developing postcards. The Guild my also develop a sandwich board, provided that it is OK with the city.
Pick up after September 15.

Additional minutes will be posted at a later date.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

February Guild Meeting

Wednesday, February 8, 2012, 6:30 PM
Barb Steen's home
4013 Basswood Rd.
St. Louis Park 55416-3844
612-618-5603

Directions to Barb Steen's home -
From I-394:
Take the Penn Ave. Exit going South
Going straight, head West on South Wayzata Blvd. (along the South side of I-394)
Take the Theodore Wirth Pkwy. ramp going South (left) on Cedar Lake Parkway
First right at Cedar Lake Road
Cedar Lake Road becomes Ewing Ave. South
Ewing becomes France Avenue South
Turn right on Basswood Rd.
4013 Basswood is on the left

From Minnetonka Blvd. going East, or West on Lake St. out of Mpls.:
Turn North on France Ave. South
After about a mile, turn left (West) on Basswood Rd.
4013 Basswood is on the left

Main topic:
Let's each bring an 8x8 inch sample of our style of work.
Many of us have done them, but a new batch would be fun.
We can discuss our inspirations and the evolution of our styles.
Let's have a fresh new batch for our Stillwater show (we'll still show the old ones)
Judy Sell is the keeper of the current batch. We can add to the bunch.

Agenda items:
Membership Dues
Updating member list
April Show at Mosaic-on-a-Stick
Pick a theme
Summer show in Stillwater
Shows for 2013 - Barb and Janine
Collection, purpose and distribution of digital images
June, September and November meeting topics; and November location
Status of Haitian Project
September Tile Festival at American Swedish Institute
Community projects
Field trips

A more detailed agenda will be circulated at the February Meeting.