July 17, 2020

Dear MATA Members,

I hope that you are all well physically, mentally, and emotionally as we cope with these challenging, scary and interesting times.  Due to circumstances beyond our control we have all had to reschedule and cancel many events that we looked forward to doing. As you know MATA has had to shelve the 2020 Membership Show after optimistically rescheduling it and rescheduling it again. Luckily, our generous donors have allowed us to keep prize monies until next year.

Now for some good news. As you may already know, all 2019-2020 memberships will be extended into next year with no new dues. Additionally, we are hoping to attract new members with a half price reduction in our normal membership rate. So, this year the friends that you have been trying to get to join MATA can do it for $15 instead of $30. Another incentive is a one-time chance for new members to enter the Small Works Show for a combined membership and entry fee of $30. Watch for details.

Carroll University will be open for classes and so our fall Small Works Show is on as usual. Remember this year’s theme is “Journeys”. I think that we all can think of some way to express this given our recent life experiences. The entry fee is the normal $20. You will be receiving information about this show in August.

At our most recent board meeting we discussed ways of helping and engaging members during this uncertain time. Attached to my recent email message was a survey asking how we can best assist you, particularly our actively teaching members. This is such new territory for all of us. One idea is to form groups of like grade level teachers to share concerns and ideas in a virtual format. However, we do not want to tell you what you need, so please take the survey. We are looking forward to your feedback and will work to become an even better resource for you.

We also decided to sponsor a fun virtual show with the theme “MATA Masked”. This is meant to be a light-hearted opportunity for all of us to express ourselves and show something frivolous and silly, artistically utilitarian or thought provoking and meaningful. Watch your email for an invitation to participate.

As we did not get to show our entries in this year’s membership show, would you like to share this or other work on our MATA website and Facebook page? We would love to host an ever-changing array of member work. Just let us know.

Every year we look forward to welcoming new members onto the board. This is a low demand/low stress way you can serve your fellow art teachers. We are looking for “at large members” and people who would be willing to act as officers. Right now, we are particularly looking for a Treasurer.  Luckily our current Treasurer, David Powell, will be serving one more year on the board so if you are willing to take this on you will have a wonderful mentor.

I first joined MATA as a student at UWM back in the last century (of boy!). Here I found mentors and collaborators, friendship, and inspiration. MATA has provided me with the opportunity to show my own artwork in high caliber, professional shows. I have served on the MATA Board on and off for many years and have always enjoyed it. This year however I felt that it was my turn to step up and take a more active role as MATA’s 2020-2021 President. This job has been so well done by so many people in the past that I have some big shoes to fill. Again, I look forward to serving you. Please let me know what you want and need.

Sincerely,

Paula Jacoby-Spehert