Dear BAA members, friends and supporters,

FOUR YEAR RETROSPECTIVE

I write this as I wrap up four years as the board president.  It’s been a wild ride. Only weeks after I stepped up, the pandemic brought down the world as we knew it. Classes were canceled, the BAA was shuttered and Zoom became the method of communicating. The down time gave us an opportunity to do some remodeling on our space in the Price Tower Annex including removing the old carpet and refinishing the concrete floors. They looked beautiful!

In spite of Covid, Steven and Cindy Graham went ahead with the 2020 Summer Art Camp armed with sanitizer, wipes and “keep your distance” markings on the floor.

The 2020 art show was virtual. Remember uploading photos of your entry and the awards event conducted via streaming Facebook? Lian Quan Zhen made the presentations from Las Vegas while I moderated.

In 2021, after the vaccinations became available, the BAA gradually returned to “normal”.

In 2022, we hired MarLo Bailey who has become the engine running our organization. Also, BAA conducted the first ArtFull Day in the ‘Ville which featured visits to local artists’ studios and art demonstrations in the BAA. It was baby steps in returning to gathering in groups.

This year, the week after our second successful ArtFull Day in the ‘Ville, the Price Tower was sold. A week later, we found ourselves looking for a new home. After examining every property in town, we found the Comanche Center site, orchestrated the big move, and are now settled in.

Despite the pandemic, I am proud that in 2022 the BAA established a fund for scholarships and tuition assistance for children and adults. Our annual Virginia Neely Sweet scholarships to graduating seniors for college were uninterrupted – our 2020 recipient did get her scholarship outside her home amidst a honking car rally. Nearly 20% of our Summer Arts Program students are on scholarship.  We welcome donations to our scholarship program. You can be assured the funds are appreciated by recipients.

Your BAA is looking forward to building on our 72 year long and rich history. I am grateful for the support, leadership, and hard work of all of our board members. Organizations don’t run themselves!

PARTY!!

Mark Tuesday, December 5, 6:30 PM on your calendar for our annual membership party. We plan a casual social at the BAA. If you haven’t seen our new digs, this will be a good time. We invite you to bring a “nibble” to share with others. If you are not a member, join us! We will have membership applications ready to be filled out.

Business Meeting at the party: There will be a short member meeting at 7PM. Members will be asked to vote for the slate of board members. There will be some minor changes to the bylaws that need to be accepted. We’ll keep it short.

*Janet Odden   – President

*Cindy Wray   – Treasurer

*Still looking  –  Vice President

*Kathleen Rutledge  – Past President

*Denise Parks  –  Secretary

Amy Jenkins

Dedra Morgan

Steven Graham

Jarrett Cowden

Jon Lindblom

Fred Cook

Josh Waddell

Steve Russell

*Executive Committee

REMINDER!

Don’t forget the Kiwanis Celebrate Giving event on November 27 from 4 to 7 PM at the Center. There will be a blind auction (highest blind bid wins!) of board member, Jon Lindblom’s painting of a horse. Check the BAA website for a preview. The event showcases nonprofits in Bartlesville. There will be raffle drawings, prizes, cash bar, and giveaways.

And stop by Price Tower for the exhibit of 10 of the BAAs artists, “Art is Everywhere”. The show will be on display until January.

VOLUNTEERS!

As I said, organizations don’t run themselves. At the party, we will have sign up sheets for those willing to help with ArtFull Day in the ‘Ville and a fund raiser being planned with it. We will be looking for help with the Annual Art Show scheduled at The Center in October ’24 (formerly known as the Bartlesville Community Center).

We will have previews of upcoming classes and upcoming BAA events at the party.

Come join in the fun!

Kathleen Rutledge=