The meeting was called to order by President Jo Williams at 7:00 p.m. Treasurer Nancy Donley reported checking account balance of $5,581.55 and current amount in CD is $5,390.67 for a total of $10,972.22.

Nominating Committee Chair Richard Kiracofe presented the slate of officers picked for next year’s Executive Board. These are President - Jo Williams, First Vice President - Ruth Keefer, Second Vice President - Beth Haywood, Secretary - Millie Johnson, and Treasurer - Nancy Donley. Kiracofe moved that these be elected for the year June 1, 2004 through May 31, 2005, and this was seconded by Nancy Dallas. The slate of officers was approved by majority vote of members present. Also on the Nominating Committee were Fran Shurtleff and Alice Miller.

President Williams reported that the Executive Board had voted to increase VAST annual membership dues for the next year. Individual membership will be $30, Student membership $15, and Family membership will be $50. It has been 7 or 8 years since the last increase and it is necessary at this time to help offset cost of running the organization.There is an increased amount of printing, salary for the Executive Director, though a portion ($3,600) of her salary is donated by Texas Bank, and we have been using "old" money for some operations this year. Other fund raisers are being worked on as well. Motion was made by Jan Jones that Individual memberships be raised to $30, Students to $15, and Family memberships to $40. This was seconded by Claude Cheek. This motion passed by majority vote of members present.

Slides for the VAST calendar are due by May 1, 2004 and volunteers are needed to help with this project. Someone is already selling advertisements to be used in the calendar but help is needed for collecting of the slides, getting them to juror Professor John Weinkein at TWU, and also a volunteer is needed to market the calendars to the members and to the public.

Executive Director Ingrid Scobie passed out a flyer describing Yasutomo Sumi painting products because of its relevance to the April demonstration. The company has given an award for the Spring Exhibition. Guest artist Brandy Smith Thomas offered that she was familiar with this company and that their products are of good quality. Phantom Canyon Ranch sent its Guerrilla Painter wooden travel painting box as an award. They wanted it to be displayed to VAST members at a meeting. The box could be viewed at the sign in table during the break. Scobie requested volunteers to help her proof read the exhibition catalogues for about 2 hours Friday morning. Bobbie Halpenny volunteered.

She also stated that she has extra newsletters for guests. Williams added to the report on the exhibit that the show has been judged and that there are over $10,000 in awards, due in great part to the efforts of Ingrid Scobie. A sign up sheet for docents to sit the exhibit was circulated through the group.

Past President Judy Uebelacker introduced her long-time friend, guest artist Brandy Smith Thomas who demonstrated Oriental Brush painting. Thomas began using this form about 25 years ago to help her achieve better brush control for free form batik painting but became so enamored with the Chinese and Japanese style that she has use it almost exclusively ever since. She explained the different types of brushes, the content and process of the ink, the specific tools that are traditionally used, the rice paper that works best for the oriental ink, and some of the traditional subjects used for painting that form the basis for compositions of oriental works. After this very interesting explanation of tools and methods and a demonstration of form, a short break was taken to allow members to vote on the Monthly Members’ Mini Show and to partake of refreshments.

The program resumed with a completion of the painting with many questions asked by the audience and answered by our guests.

Second Vice President Donna Lewis announced the winners of the Mini Show and awards won.

First place winner was Lisa Daniels who received a $25 Asel Art Supply gift certificate. Second place winner was Marlyn Smith who was given a $15 Asel gift certificate. Door prize, a $50 gift certificate from Voertman’s, was won by long time member Robert Stevens.

It was announced that there were 30 members present and 7 visitors. The meeting was adjourned by President Williams.

Submitted by Secretary Mary Sigle Morris