September 2023

HIGHLIGHTS of ANNUAL MEETING 

For those of you not able to attend our annual gathering at Tamarack Resort, you missed a good one!  I thought it deserved a recap.

• First, as you see above, the logo update that won the most votes, is the one with the ghost shape of Idaho in the letters. I’m proud to say, I think we have one of the best logo representations of any watercolor organization in the country.  If you promote or publicize IWS in any way, our new logo should be used.  For the time being, please get ahold of me or Janet Murphy.
• Our weekend started with an outdoor art show on the Plaza. There was a lot of interest from visitors; and three artists sold paintings.
• I was looking forward to the Business of Art presentation on Friday and it exceeded all my expectations. Anne Sorenson, Nelli Garibyan and Dave Galligher were our presenters, sharing all the information you would need to move your art skills forward.  They have graciously allowed their presentations to be posted on the IWS website.
• Saturday was full of activities! Jack Dykstra, award-winning member of the Montana Watercolor Society (and new IWS member), shared his expertise on landscape painting with 16 IWS members.
• Barbara Williams, widow of founding member, Dwight Williams, graciously donated much of the equipment and tools from his studio. Scott Muscolo packed it all in his vehicle and hauled it up to Tamarack. Everything was put up for sale to members in attendance.  IWS raised over $300 from the sale of Dwight’s tools.  Many thanks to both Barbara and Scott.
• Also on Saturday, artists ventured to the historic Finnish settlement of Roseberry to plein air paint under the skilled direction of Hugh Mossman. Many thanks to Hugh for filling in at the last minute for Larry Boyd, due to a death in his family.
• Our annual meeting was also packed full. In addition to the logo update, you voted to accept the revisions to the Policy Manual, and you elected the same officers as you had last year.  In order to have continuous experience on the board, we proposed a one-time adjustment of terms.  Don Belts. vice president. will serve a one-year term. Dennis Hayzlett, treasurer, will serve a 3-year term.  Nancy Inaba, secretary, and I will both serve the standard 2-year terms.
• The member scholarship proposal was passed. However, in order to implement this project, we need a volunteer to organize it and we need to begin developing an endowment to fund it.  This idea will take a few years to come to fruition.
• Strategic Plan – Numerous volunteers at the 2022 annual meeting, initiated work on a 5-year strategic planning process. The plan took most of 2023 and it was unveiled at this year’s annual meeting.  It will be posted on our website.

We are already beginning work on the 2024 Annual Meeting and workshop, so mark your calendars now for the weekend of September 13,14, 2024.  More exciting details to come shortly.

Many thanks to you all,

Carol HasBrouck Browning

IWS President