BOARD MEETING |Minutes

May 9, 2025

 

Meeting called by

 

PRESIDENT

Type of meeting

 

Location

QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

 

WASHINGTON ART ASSOCIATION’S GENERAL STUDIO

 

 

 

 

 

 

James R. Pleasants, President

Abbey Rosenwald, Vice President

Lyman Whelan, Treasurer

Vanessa Henderson, Secretary

Barbara von Schreiber

Darryl Wright

Judy Jackson

Kathy Wenning

Krystyana Czeiner

Sam Funk

Woodrow Campbell

 

 

 

     I.         Rod Plesants, President

a.   Call to order;

b.   Call for approval of Annual Minutes by the Board (read by Megan Marden);

c.    Announcement that current Interim Executive Director, Megan Marden, is stepping down

d.   Introduction NEW Interim executive Director, Nathanial Cardonsky

   II.         Reports from Board Members & Chairs

a.   Building report, Darryl Wright

                                              i.     Brick side of the building is being considered for a mural; the Washington Fire Dept turns 100 in 2026 and thinking of painting a mural in response on the side of the building for a temporary time

                                            ii.     For now, the focus on the primary building is deferred maintenance

                                          iii.     Pottery studio has undergone major upgrades to help facilitate the growing demand of classes

                                          iv.     Painting studio heat has been fixed and new lighting for the time being

 

b.   Finance report, Bob Whelan

                                              i.     Quarterly Report and Budget for 2025 produced. WAA has a strong asset to liability; new worth is commendable

                                            ii.     Highlights: Q1 WAA is operating at a deficit; primary drivers of revenue: education, donations, and exhibits, memberships 

                                          iii.     Vote to approve 2025 Budget – Motion made, second, approved

 

c.    Bylaws report, Woody Campbell 

                                              i.     A committee has been identified and met earlier in the week to discuss a wide array of topics another meeting has been scheduled

 

d.   Executive Director Search report, Judy Jackson

                                              i.     The Committee has identified (3) candidates, presented the CVs to the Board and will be making its decision by June 1, 2025. JD is on the WAA website under ‘Our Story.’ Final decision to be announced to WAA membership after June 1. 

 

e.   Special Events report, Krystyana Czeiner

                                              i.     The Board is discussing a meet and greet mixer to take place in September

                                            ii.     The committee is reviewing whether a large event like a gala makes economic sense and is exploring other options are it relates to fund raising opportunities for the Association.

 

 III.         Open Business

a.   Exhibitions report, Megan Marden

                                              i.     Current Schedule update; Upcoming Events review; Sculpture Show in July will include some members from WAA; 2026 is filling up including faculty show and possibly student in combination; painting and sculpture possibly being one, and photography and works on paper as a separate show

 

b.   Grant funding report, Megan Marden

                                              i.     While WAA continues to submit requests for grant monies for 2025/26, we are anticipating a shortage of approvals due to directives taken under the current administration with greater prioritization of federal funding going toward foodbanks

 

c.    Document availability, Megan Marden

                                              i.     Documents are available in the WAA office to any member who would like to come in to preview in person. Once approved by the Board, minutes from general Board meetings are posted to the WAA website

 

d.   Archival report, Ginger Nelsen (volunteer)

                                              i.     Ginger is heading a temporary committee of members to help identify, organize, protect, and record WAA’s historic artifacts and articles. This project will be a work in progress and Ginger will report findings and request any needs that may come of the project to the Board as needed.

 

e.   Education report, Souby Boski (volunteer)

                                              i.     Recommendation that a committee be formed ASAP

                                            ii.     Two summer sessions have been planned

                                          iii.     2025 spring education registration is up 20%

                                          iv.     Multiple workshops are being planned to gauge appetite across mediums and locations, i.e. Norman Sunshine Center, Hollister House

 

IV. New Business

i.     Norman Sunshine Center, Darryl Wright – currently reviewing needs to make the building ADA compliant

ii.   Elizabeth MacDonald Scholarship | Give Local Results, Rod Pleasants 

a    The MacDonald Scholarship will be funded with $10,000 from proceeds from the Give Local fundraise

 

V. Floor open to membership for questions

i.              Question regarding how quickly the Board will be able to fill the seats of Executive Director as well as Assistant Executive Director; the Board highlighted that significant actions are currently underway and the ED committee is working diligently to fill the position(s)