1)President Jo Williams called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.

2) Executive Director Ingrid Scobie reported on the status of the 501-C3 IRS tax code application for VAST and read two new provisions for membership consideration and vote, required by law for VAST to attain final non-profit status. A motion to accept the additions to the application was made by Pat Gobble and seconded by Elinor Johansen. The motion passed.

3) Scobie reported that there had been no student applicants for the Mary June Impson workshop scholarships. She stated that there will be continued efforts to promote this scholarship.

4) Williams provided information on the VAST 1st Annual Art Adventure Tour of Studios. Each VAST member present was given a packet of tour information and ten tickets to sell, The deadline for ticket sales is November 4, the date of the next VAST general meeting, at which time unsold tickets are to be returned, or they can mailed in advance of that time to Second Vice-President Beth Haywood. The tour will be held Saturday, November 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with a final reception and sale to be held at Greenspace Arts Collective from 7-9 p.m. Haywood passed around sign-up sheets for volunteers needed to help the eleven tour artists at their studios, and/or to help provide refreshments at the final reception.

5) Williams announced that Nancy Donley currently has a painting hanging at Wildwood Inn which will be there through the first week in November.

6) Williams reminded the group of the signing event at The Cupboard on Saturday, November 13, when the artists included in the calendar will sign calendars as they are sold.

7) Williams announced that the first theme for paintings to be hung at the Barnes and Noble Bookstore is watercolor landscapes. The first works have been selected and will  be displayed from October 10 through November 4.

8) Spring Exhibition Chair Erin DeGenero announced that the deadline for slide entries for the Spring Exhibition was December 15.

9) In the absence of Webmaster Beverly Sipos, Williams reminded members that they can place images of their work on the VAST website. Six images can be posted for on one page, at a cost of $20.

10) Kathy Mendes reported that after one month of calendar sales, 250 calendars have been sold or committed. Mendes stated that she had calendars for sale at the present meeting, and will also have these available at the November and December meetings.

11) Membership Chair Vidya Kagal reported that there were 28 members present, 5 new members, and 3 visitors.

12) First Vice-President Diane Dorn introduced guest artist Marie Renfro, who presented a program entitled 'Color and Creativity', which included a demonstration of her work using collage and acrylics. She also shared her thoughts and answered questions about her approach to her paintings, which are primarily very colorful and complex abstracts.

13) Williams announced the winners of the Mini Show. Ingrid Scobie won the 1st place award, with a mixed media painting entitled 'Rancho Mirage.' Because Scobie, as Executive Director, does not accept monetary awards from VAST, she declined the $25 award and donated it back to VAST. Subsequently an additional door prize drawing was made for the $25, which was won by Judy Uebelacker. Erin DeGenero won 2nd place in the Mini Show and an award of $15. The door prize, a $50 gift certificate from Voertman’s, was won by Jan Carr.

14) The meeting was adjourned by President Williams at 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Millie Johnson, Secretary