artcouncilofsouthwestflorida.org

The ACSWF President's Message

Dear Art Council of Southwest Florida Members,

As the end of my first year in office approaches, it is appropriate for me to review with you, what has been achieved – and what is in progress. In so doing, I wish to acknowledge the indispensable contributions of my fellow board members and delegates to the Council, many of whom have worked tirelessly for the past year. I also want to thank past President Phyllis Dowd for her support and guidance.

Much has been achieved since April 2011, but here I will touch only on those aspects I consider to be the most important, and that are intended to improve or maintain the Council’s support of, and appeal to member organizations :

The Council Bylaws, which have not been revised since 2008, now reflect the Council’s present and foreseeable future operation.
Four new members have been added: Heron’s Glen Artist Group, the Pan American Alliance for Art, Culture and Industry, Cape Coral Arts Studio, and the Portrait and Figure Society of South West Florida.
The Council’s web site has been reconfigured to allow for timely up-dating of information from all member organizations, and a monthly emailed newsletter provides additional information about Art Council meetings. Please look over the website and click on the links to each member organization for more specific information. If you have questions, use the email link – info@acswf.org – and they will be answered.
This season, 2011 – 2012, each of the monthly Art Council meetings has been hosted by a member organization. Plans are to have each member organization host a Council Meeting once every three years. A schedule has been developed and is in process of being implemented for 2012-2013, and for 2013-2014.
In 2011-2012, the Council has continued to pursue opportunities to provide gallery space in high profile locations for member organizations at minimal cost, namely Coconut Point Mall, the Harborside Event Center, and the Alliance for the Arts in Fort Myers. I consider this to be an important role for the Council in that it extends the opportunity for all member organizations to show their member’s work. At the same time, gallery fees provide a source of income for the Council
For the first time, the Council has purchased print advertising in “Ft. Myers Magazine,” Jan./Feb 2012 issue, and in “Happenings Magazine,” January and February issues. The intention is to increase public awareness of Art Council Member Organizations, and encourage artists to join one near them.
On a more mundane, but essential topic, the Council’s books have been audited for 2011, and a budget for 2012 is being prepared.

In summary, I feel that good progress has been made. Inevitably, there have been a few bumps along the road, and not everyone has agreed with the board’s decisions. But there has been sufficient positive feedback for me to believe we are on the right track. Let us move ahead together in the coming year.

Sincerely,

Sandra F. Mark, President
Art Council of Southwest Florida

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Email us at: info@acswf.org