April 17, 2024 Board Meeting

President Fruetel called the meeting to order at 6:32 pm and welcomed Diana Turnage who will be considered for the open Board position at the State Meeting. She said the items she wants to cover today will be discussed in New Business.

There was no Vice President report.

Secretary Liepa asked if there were any corrections in the minutes from the January 25, 2024 meeting. Schwartz made a motion to approve the minutes, Ann Carothers seconded and the minutes were approved. Kathy Strohl mentioned she would be leaving the Board after this term and was thanked for her contributions.

Treasurer Schwartz presented the Treasurer’s Report that was sent out with the agenda and asked if there were any questions. President Fruetel asked if there was a motion to approve; Liepa moved and Swilley seconded; the Treasurer’s report was approved.

Swilley asked if consideration had been given to have an Instagram account. There was a discussion and general agreement that it would be a good idea and a way to share information with members, recruit younger members, share work and build community. Brockhoff said she could help with content. There was agreement that Iowa Artists should have gatekeepers who ensure the content applies to Iowa Artists.

Digital Chair Brockhoff talked about the new web domain (iowaartists.org). She’ll send board members the link to review the website, when it’s close to “launching.” There was a discussion about board member privacy and not using personal email for contacts. Word Press is the new platform and Brockhoff said she could help board members navigate the site. Redundancy will be built into the system and Schwartz, Swilley, Brockhoff, the President and Vice President will serve as hosts.

Fruetel asked if there were any Board of Directors Reports. Carothers said this was her last meeting, as she is leaving the Board. She reported that Deanna Skoken had provided guidance on managing Facebook and Instagram pages and has that to pass on. Carothers was thanked for her service and work on the keeping up the Facebook page.

McAndrews gave the Newsletter Editor’s report. She has created a rough draft on the importance of volunteering, will send it out to the Board for approval, and then to be posted on the new web site.

Old Business: Fruetel reported there are 2 workshops next month and she’s working on a second Urban Sketching workshop, possible in Ames. She has a goal of having 6 workshops this year. She updated the board on the SE Iowa Art Hop which will be a juried show, and winners from the state show will be automatically included. There will be 3 galleries participating each with 22 works of art.

New Business: Fruetel would like the board to suggest additional items for the State Meeting agenda which includes Regional Show results, update on the web site, SE Iowa Art Hop, Election of Officers, Art Fest and Volunteers. The actual business meeting will be from 11:00 – 11:40 am. Fruetel also mentioned there is interest in applying for a space in the 2024 Art Fest in Des Moines, June 28-30. Board members generally thought that would be a good idea. The application form had been emailed to Board members to review. We’ll need an idea for a craft project to do with children. McAndrews offered a banner that could be repainted. A committee for planning the effort consists of Brockhoff, Turnage, Fruetel, Schwartz and Liepa. Fruetel reminded the Board that the donation on behalf of Dixie Jensen ($100) was to be used for a watercolor workshop as determined by the Board last year. Fruetel will follow up with Mary Johnson about leading a workshop.

The meeting adjourned at 8:02 pm.