January Notes
A brand new year! Welcome 2026!
The beginning of a new year always brings excitement for a new start, a bright beginning of a new project, or creating intentions and resolutions. Our Guild is no different—we are excited for all the changes 2026 will bring for us.
First, the BAG board voted in December to make the Chair (president, if you will) position a paid position. Our chairperson will receive a stipend of $500 annually to run the guild. We used a formula of MN minimum wage x an average of hours spent monthly to arrive at this decision. The $500 is also well below any tax reporting situation for either the Guild or the Guild Chair.
This being decided, I have been the Chair since 2021 and it’s time for a change. In 2026, we will be able to move into our new permanent home at the Buffalo Area Community Center. It is such a beautiful space, with tons of natural light, and big, beautiful, gallery walls! The BAG board were able to tour the space in December and the rest of the community center, too. Such a gift for the community! Things are not set in stone yet, but rumblings of February have been bantered about for our move. Once we are settled into our new place and feel comfortable, I plan to step down from this position.
That means that we will need new leadership! We are hoping that with more people becoming aware of us in the community in our new space, we will start gathering more people’s interest and grow the Guild. I would love to see someone who has been part of the Guild for a while do this, but you never know who you will find when the door opens!
I would also like to introduce our new treasurer, Diane Hopkins to you! Diane has graciously taken on the treasurer position, having done the accounting for other organizations and has joined the Guild as board member. Diane lives in Rockford, and is part of the Friends of the Library for Rockford Library—yep, does the accounting! :) Be sure to say “hello” when you see her at a meeting.
This means that our dearest Wayne is stepping down, taking more time for all things important. Wayne has been the treasurer since the inception of the Guild—a most revered Guild attendee, and someone we all look up to for art insight and inspiration. Wayne still plans to be on the board and a regular attendee, so we aren’t saying goodbye—just see you later! Thank you so very much, Wayne, for all you have done for us, and will continue to do.
Delano hosts a Sculpture Walk in their Sculpture Garden and every year we have a “Call to Artists” who are interested in submitting a sculpture to be placed in the Sculpture Garden/Walk. If you are interested or know a sculptor who may be interested, download this pdf for more information. There is a deadline, so don't delay!
Kites on Ice, 2025
Kites on Ice is happening in February, on Valentine’s Day! The Guild is planning to be there again with our colored water in squirt bottles for the kiddos to “paint the snow.” John and Sarah Hoppe have graciously offered to lead this event, provided we have enough people to work the booth. We need a minimum of 8 to do it. You can work the whole shift, from about 10-3, or half a day. Please let us know if you can help out. It is fast paced, you will not be bored. Reach out to Sarah at sjghoppe@gmail.com if you can assist us. Image and video from 2025 (above) by Dan Averbeck.
Our next meeting will be on January 19th, Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We are going to switch things up a bit, because the weather can be so tricky this time of year. We typically don’t get as many people coming to the meeting, so we are going to do a “social hour” instead. Join us at Applebee’s at 6:30 to visit and inspire each other. Food and drink is on your own, but art chat is all together! :) I hope you can come.
Finally, January always brings annual dues. We try to collect membership dues as much as possible in the first two months of the year. Dues are $35 for a single, $45 for a couple, and $60 for a family. As a paid member, you are able to showcase your artwork alongside other guild artists at any of our four venues. We have had a number of pieces sold this past year alone by being shown at these places. It’s a great way for your art to be seen! This will also include the new community center, too, so that will be 5 opportunities for the public to see your art.
Please get your dues in as soon as possible for us to start getting 2026 lined up with demos and presentations, and other art possibilities.
Thank you so much to the BAG board members and all the support they have given this past year. It brought us a website and new URL, beautiful business cards to hand out, many demos and presentations, and 2026 looks even brighter for us!
Warmest Regards,
Tamra