PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Dear MAA Members,
Hope you and your loved ones are well and you had a fun and creative summer.
This September starts our 53rd year! We are the oldest ongoing art organization in
Manchester and still going strong! Needless to say, these past six months have been
unusual. Our old lives have been put on hold. Social distancing, wearing masks
and getting tested are all part of the “new normal”. Safety is the number one
concern today. Many of us are in the age group that is most at risk, so,
unfortunately, until it is safe to do so, we will not be able to hold monthly meetings
at the Rines Center. The Massabesic Audubon Center also remains closed to the
public. We will let the membership know when it reopens so you can safely pick
up your artwork.
On the positive side, even though we haven’t been able to hold meetings, we have
been able to continue with some of our more enjoyable programs. The 2020/2021
MAA Artist of the Year Award was presented to Rollande Rousselle. Rollande has
been a member since 2013. She is a very accomplished artist and a valued Board
member serving as our Membership Chair. She regularly participates in all MAA
activities and often volunteers to be on committees. During this COVID-19
pandemic, Rollande has sewn masks for the Manchester Mental Health Center.
Congratulations Rollande, well deserved! “Thank you” to the AOTY committee
and to all the members who voted.
Also, the 2020 MAA High School Senior Art Scholarship was awarded to Georgia
Schill of Goffstown, NH. Georgia is currently enrolled at the Institute of Art and
Design in Manchester. You can see her art at Georgia Schill Artwork on Facebook.
Congratulations to Georgia and we wish all the best in her art career. “Thank you”
to the Scholarship Committee and especially to Howard Muscott for all his work.
The North End Fine Art Gallery Committee is working with the folks at the Rines
Center to hopefully open the Gallery in the not-too-distant future. We have
submitted a COVID-19 plan to the Manchester Health Department and await their
approval. Our priority is to ensure that all CDC Guidelines are in place to protect
the Gallery staff and visitors. We will keep you informed as we get more
information. “Thank you” to the NEFA Gallery Committee for you continued
commitment.
I would also like to take this time to remind you about membership renewal. In
times like this we realize how important our contributions are. The membership
dues are the main source of funding for MAA. We rely on dues to continue our
Scholarship Program and pay for essential yearly expenses such as the website,
Constant Contact, insurance, etc. You can download a membership application at
manchesterartists.com. Renew online or send your $35 membership check, payable
to MAA to: MAA, P.O. Box 16713, Hooksett, NH 03106.
Also, please consider volunteering to fill one of our vacant positions. We have
openings for Vice President, Treasurer and Publicity. These positions are vital to
MAA. By volunteering very little of your time each month you would develop a
new skill and help make MAA a better organization, a win-win for everyone.
On behalf of the Board, I want to thank the members for their continued support.
As Abraham Lincoln once said, “This too wiIl pass”. I do remain hopeful that a
COVID-19 vaccine will be available next year. We will get through these difficult
times and meet again.
Stay creative.
Jim O’Donnell