Year in Review- inside the SCA Annual Meeting

2024 Annual Meeting

What an exciting year it’s been! And we celebrated it in style at our Annual Meeting last week. We gathered to celebrate the fun and success of the past year, to vote on next year’s officers, to say goodbye to departing officers, to present awards, and to look ahead to 2025.

And of course, like all our members’ gatherings, we needed our famous potluck dinner, time to socialize, and a wonderful artist talk. We were thrilled to hear from fellow member and abstract painter, William Kendall, talk about his journey through abstract painting over his successful career.

Election of Officers

The members voted to accept the full nominating slate of officers. We renewed three current Board members and welcomed three new members.

Education Chair

Kim Barry is a painter, potter, sculptor, and art educator. She graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in Sculpture and an MFA in Painting from University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Her work is informed by this beautiful coastal environment and the natural objects she encounters.

Through deep observation and intimate response to the natural world, she finds a bounty of inspiration for her paintings. Her subject matter can often reference the human form, gesture, memory, emotion, sensuality, or simply capture the energy of a time and place. When painting, she is compelled to articulate a fierce passion for life, female strength, and fecundity.

Grants Chair

Dot Bergen is an abstract encaustic artist residing in the coastal community of Little Compton, RI. She leverages her advanced degrees in Invertebrate Zoology and Marine Ecology to inform her point of view. She is an exhibiting member of The Art Group (TAG), New England Art Center, Boston, MA. Her work is shown throughout New England and beyond. She is an elected Signature Member of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA) and serves as the Social Media Chair for NAWA, Massachusetts Chapter.

Volunteer Chair

Lisa Busnengo is an abstract acrylic & mixed media artist in South Dartmouth, MA. Spiritual in nature, Lisa’s work reflects her connection to all that lies beyond our earth-bound existence.

Her adventures in abstract acrylic painting began in October, 2020. Since then, Lisa has created a gallery in the same building that houses her studio. In early 2023, Lisa became a signature member of the National Assoc. of Women Artists and is also a member of NAWA’s Mass chapter.

It’s Not Goodbye!

Even though we must say au revoir to Board members who have completed their terms, it’s not farewell. These hardworking volunteers are committed to giving their time and talents to SCA.

We extend warm wishes and grateful appreciation to:

Kevin Garbarini, who oversaw many event set-ups and made sure all our events had the proper insurance.
Judy Melanson, who oversaw our volunteers and professionalized the process of signing up for activities.
Amy Thurber, who oversaw our Youth Grant program, and oversaw its successful transition to a larger program encompassing two counties and including both high school and college students.

Many thanks to all three of these hardworking members!

SCA Awards

As an all-volunteer organization, we depend on the hard-working efforts of our members. Each year, we recognize members who have gone above and beyond for their help in making South Coast Artists a success.

This year, we would like to thank the following members for their dedication:

Big Heart, Big Helper Award:
Holly Dirks

Raising Dough Award:
Deb Bottomley

Tech Support Specialist Award:
Bruce Bailey

Wanda Edwards Volunteer Award:
William Gajda

Looking Ahead

This fall, we have two more upcoming events:

Registration for the 2024 SCA Holiday Exhibition is now open! The exhibition will take place December 6 - January 4, 2025 at the Dartmouth Cultural Center. You can learn more on our call for entries page. PLEASE NOTE: Intake dates for artwork are Sunday, Dec. 1 and Monday, Dec. 2.

On November 23-24, you have the opportunity to demonstrate your art-making process at the Hatch Street Studios, Open Studio event. Spaces are limited, so sign up today!

VOLUNTEER HERE

We encourage you to take a look at the many resources available at your fingertips on our new website, and also to make note of the key dates listed below and in our member calendar.

Mark your calendars with these
Key Dates for 2024

NOW: Holiday Exhibition online registration is open
November 8: Holiday Exhibition online registration closes
November 23-24: Artist Demonstrations at Hatch Street Open Studios
December 1: Holiday Exhibition Artwork Intake 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
December 2: Holiday Exhibition Artwork Intake 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
December 1: Membership Renewals begin
December 6: Holiday Exhibition Opening Reception 5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Dec. 6 - Jan. 4: Holiday Exhibition on view Hours: Thurs.- Sun. 11 am–3pm. Dartmouth Cultural Center, 404 Elm St., Dartmouth
January 4: Holiday Exhibition Art Pick up 3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
January 5: Holiday Exhibition Art Pick up 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
January 18: Tour registration info-session via Zoom

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