Hello to all members – First and foremost, keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Take the necessary precautions to avoid viral exposure.
The year began with a president’s message which concluded that we, at FMBAA, “are a big family, creating art, supporting art education and supporting each other in our wonderful gallery on the beach”. I stand by that assessment, but the pandemic has physically separated us (for good reason), closed the gallery and moved our supportive fellowship to emails online. Finally, as this missive is being written, the governor has issued a shelter in place order for all of Florida.
The impacts on the upcoming 2020-21 season depend on the duration of various restrictions in place to flatten the curve of the COVID-19 epidemic. We know sales revenues have ceased until the gallery reopens.
With the gallery now closed, the executive board decided to start interior renovation projects now instead of waiting until the Fall. The main gallery and studio 2 will be painted, the ceiling in studio 2 will be repaired and the storeroom floor will be tiled. Finally, the patio will have new bricks installed to complement the recently refurbished deck. After the work is complete, I imagine the gallery, all spiffed up, waiting anxiously for the return of its artists and for its walls to be covered in fine art.
What can our members (you) do and how can you help the organization?
- Paint and show off new work on the FMBAA Facebook page Here
- Paint Mini Masters for our 70th birthday celebration next January
- Sign-up for a Famous Artist workshop Here
- Renew your membership early as membership dues make up a significant portion of our yearly budget.
During this unprecedented Spring, many of us have turned to the arts(movies, books, music, and even fine art) to soothe the soul. I look forward to the end of the pandemic and the FMBAA family getting together at our spiffed up gallery creating art and supporting one another once again.
Stay safe, Tom Flaherty