1) The meeting was called to order by Jo Williams, President.

2) Treasurer Nancy Donley reported that there is $3163.91 in the checking account; $5390.67 in a Certificate of Deposit, and total of $8554.58.

3) In the absence of Mary Emerson, Lisa Daniels announced the dates and fees for the Gail Webb Workshop. The workshop will be held February 28 through March 3, 2005. The total cost is $180, with a $50 deposit due at the time of sign-up. Daniels passedaround the sign-up sheet.

4) Spring Exhibition Chair Erin DeGenero made an announcement that she still needs many volunteers for the Spring Exhibition, and reminded the group that the deadline for submitting slides is December 15. She passed around the sign-up sheet for more volunteers.

5) Second Vice-President Beth Haywood announced the need for more volunteers for the Last Stop (reception and show and sale) for the VAST 1st Annual Art Adventure Tour of Studios on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon November 6 and 7. Volunteers are needed to provide refreshments at the Saturday reception and volunteers are needed to sit the exhibit on Sunday afternoon. She passed around a sign-up sheet for volunteers.

6) Membership Chair Vidya Kagal reported that there were 29 members present, and three visitors.

7) Williams reminded members to vote for the mini-show awards.

8) Hospitality Chair Alice Miller announced that she needed more volunteers to provide refreshments for the monthly meetings, and passed around the sign-up sheet for this purpose.

9) Second Vice-President Diane Dorn introduced guest presenter Jeanette Chinelli. Chinelli began her presentation by discussing how her career as an artist has evolved from her original interests in crafts to her decision to return to school to major in art. She attained a BFA from California State University at Chico in 2001. Her philosophy for establishing a career in art includes having a studio away from home and going there with the same commitment that one would have for any other job. She also recommended entering many juried shows, and actively pursuing opportunities for gallery exhibits. She stated that she maintains a studio at an art collective called the Houston Foundry Commercial Artist Studios located in Houston, Texas, where she now resides. She showed a slide presentation of her work and explained about the various media and techniques she uses. After the slide presentation, Chinelli urged members to keep up with current ideas and trends in art, suggesting that one good way to do this is to  subscribe to magazines such as Artlies, New American Paintings, Art News, Art in America, Art week, Glass Tire, Art Speak, and The Painters Handbook. Chinelli ended herpresentation by answering additional questions and offering more suggestions for promotion of artists’ work.

10) An announcement was made by Lorraine Hayes regarding the Cross Timbers Studio Tour to be held on Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14 in Flower Mound. She stated that there are 12 artist studios on the Tour, and that there is no charge. More information for the Tour can be found at www.studioarthouse.com.

11) Williams reminded members that both the VAST calendars and Studio Tour tickets were available for sale at the front sign-in table.

12) Results for the mini-show, which was unusually large with ten paintings submitted, showed the First Place award to be Beverly Sipos, “Generic Southwest” and Second Place Beth Haywood’s “Elvis”. Jan Jones was the winner of the door prize, a $50 gift certificate from Voertman’s.

13) The meeting was adjourned at 8:45 p.m