President’s Letter: March 2014

 

Missouri Artisans Association exists to provide encouragement, interaction and education to our members.

 

Mark your calendars and plan to be included in the fun.  On March 21-23, 2014, the BOMH ArtSmart 2014 Annual Conference will be held at University Plaza in Springfield Mo. A schedule of the conference is available on line. Register today at www.bestofmissourihands.org.

In 2008, Missouri Artisans Association dba The Best of Missouri Hands initiated a program for artists to visit classrooms providing art demos and discussions about life as an artist. Best of Missouri Hands has more than 450 member artists working in various mediums throughout the State of Missouri. We thank those artists who have already participated in this progrma and shared their expertise with young aspiring artists.

The Best of Missouri Hands thanks the Missouri Arts Council for the grant of $4,200 for support of ArtSmart 2014 and the Visiting Artist Program. A Regional Arts Commission (RAC) grant of $950 provided BOMH the opportunity to bring the Visiting Artist program to St. Louis area schools. The grant funds allow us to provide a $100 stipend to our visiting artists for each classroom visit to cover the cost of materials. In October 2013, The Best of Missouri Hands conducted a total of 7 classroom visits, serving 151 students in the St. Louis area. There is no cost to the school.

The Best of Missouri Hands is on the hunt for artists who can do classroom visits in 2014 so that we can qualify for an upcoming grant from Missouri Arts Council. Nancy Koehler is chairing this committee and has had wonderful participation from our artists. However we are always looking for members who are not only willing to contribute in this way but have contacts within the educational community. We would especially like to reach underserved areas, where arts programs or classroom visits are limited due to lack of funding. The Best of Missouri Hands has the opportunity to expand the Visiting Artist Program to classrooms in other parts of the state. There is NO COST to the school.   If you would like to participate please contact Nancy Koehler at nancy@mckenziesjewelry.com.

Every member is an important part of MAA/ Best of Missouri Hands. Thank you for being a part of this organization.

Join us and become involved in Best of Missouri Hands. We rely completely on volunteers; it takes a village, volunteer and help achieve it.

Joyce Rosen