The weathered cleared up and I got dressed and left the dogs some food and an open door knowing I wouldn’t get back until around 10PM. The drive to Lake Arrowhead was uneventful and the valley was sunny so all was going great as far as any impending weather. I couldn’t find Darlene’s house right off as I hadn’t been there in months, but I was early anyway so I tried a few places off the road to the lake and found it. Went into the meeting which is in Darlene Kraft’s home. She is a watercolorist and a very nice woman. There was John, Monika, Darlene O, Candy, Kelly ( guy) and Sue and me. We were discussing the move from our present location in Skyforest on highway 18 to the Arrowhead Village a Mini Mall.
I was there to add support and some logistic suggestions to our upcoming Spring show/Mother’s Day Art Sale. This will occur in the early part of May. It seems encouraging yet what they have sacrificed for space and more tourists they lost in charm and authentic mountain ambiance.
These decisions are made by the "elder" by this I mean long standing members and then we create ideas with regards to space, member inclusions advertising – basically anything that has to do with the gallery – to the BOD (Board of Directors). Since many gallery members are also on this Board it generally passes smoothly.
There is some dissention in the ranks as a woman I haven’t met yet weighed in on procedures and got into a divisive email battle with another woman who is our lawyer/Photog. This lady can’t be at the meeting for awhile due to her work in San Bernardino. I have gained the respect of some of the more prominent members in that my CV is thought to be strong enough to help the coop gain in stature and member strength, which in turn means more money. I feel a part of the inner sanctum already and yet I haven’t done anything. My wife reminds me that this group is made up of all volunteers so one needs to go slowly for changes and diplomatically too.
My goal is not to make this a viable gallery, because there are too many obstacles for that to happen. My goal is to help elevate this organization on a state/national level where we are the originators of programs that encourage local artists in their communities. Starting with this community. Now I realize this is not the intention of anyone else. Most members I have met are happy to sell there crafts and artwork to tourists and residents and to that end it will happen in greater numbers due to the closer proximity of our gallery and the main tourist area in Lake Arrowhead. SO I will help the coop with positioning, advertising and marketing in so far as we can create awareness and drive traffic to the gallery store front. Then I will slowly develop their fundraising capabilities by galvanizing the Board to reorganize and focus the programs we need to establish some strong funding support. Oh and I need to work myself. But I am enjoying my participation like never before and marvel that after all these years of reveling in being an "outsider" an independant thinker not a joiner of group thought I am actually inspired and enjoy the camaraderie of fellow artists. Plus my experience in the corporate art world will give me a strong hand and hopefully a guiding light to move this coop forward as an organization that imbues art as a way of life for artists and for lovers of art.
Lou
