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

2) Treasurer Nancy Donley reported a balance of $4524.70 in the checking account and $5390.67 in the CD, yielding a total of $9915.37. She stated that profits from calendar sales are currently $2800, and from the Studio Tour, $715.

3) Mary Emerson made an announcement about the Gail Webb workshop to be held February 28-March 3, 2005. The workshop will include work in acrylic, watercolor, and collage. Emerson passed out the sign-up sheet for the workshop and asked that anyone interested in the workshop sign the sheet and include a $50 non-refundable deposit.

4) Calendar Chair Kathy Mendes gave information on the 2006 calendar. Slides will be due April 29, 2005. Members who wish to be included in the calendar must pay a $10 fee for two entries; work must be horizontal; and artists selected for the calendar must be available for scheduled signings. Mendes also mentioned that there were still calendars for sale and urged members to continue to buy these.

5) Spring Exhibition Chair Erin DeGenero reported that there are currently 36 entries for the Spring Exhibition, and only one of those is from a VAST member. Slides are due December 15. She also stated that she still needs many volunteers to help with the Spring Show. She reminded members that Monday, January 3 is "slide night" when a slide show of all Spring Exhibition entries will be shown. In a final comment, DeGenero mentioned that the juror, Jesus Moroles, is currently represented in five shows in Dallas.

6) Membership Chairman Vidya Kagal reported that there were 37 members and four visitors present.

7) Williams reminded members to vote on the mini-show entries.

8) Williams announced that a closing reception for the Millie Giles critique group will be held at the Cappuccino Café on January 29.

9) First Vice-President Diane Dorn introduced the presenter, Professor Philip Rubinov-Jacobson. Professor Rubinov-Jacobson has a very impressive academic and  performance history as an artist, writer, teacher, and philosopher. Though he currently resides in Dallas, he has lived and studied in many parts of the world, and his work is currently being shown in several international galleries.

Professor Rubinov-Jacobson began his lecture with some statements about his view of the present challenge of artists in the United States, stating that he often feels "drained and depressed" after visiting galleries of contemporary art in America. To Rubinov-Jacobson, work from earlier centuries had "nobility" and "purpose" which he is not able to see in contemporary work. Stating that he began his university training at age 13 and graduated at age 18 with a bachelor's degree in art, but "though I had always painted and drew, did not know what I was doing", he stated that he just wanted to "learn how to paint". Though offered five scholarships, including one to Yale, when he was still only 19 he chose to go to Vienna and study with an old master's teacher, Ernst Fuchs, a very well known realist painter in Europe. He spent two years as an apprentice with Fuchs, and feels that he received the education and training he was seeking. Rubinov-Jacobson heavily endorses the apprentice approach to training and offers workshops with this method, which he holds primarily in Germany.

With an informative and inspiring slide show, Rubinov-Jacobson provided explanations of his philosophy and view of the purpose and nature of art. He showed slides of work he admires from old masters as well as examples of his own work, which he creates with a layered approach of tempera, oils, and various other media. The group asked many questions and appeared extremely impressed with this presentation. Professor Rubinov-Jacobson had copies of a new edition of his book "Drinking Lightning: Art, Creativity and Transformation" available for sale, as well as a copy of his new book "Eyes of the Soul: Exploring Inspiration in Art" which was available for members to order.

10) The first place winner of the Mini-show was Dana Blanchard, and second place, Darla Bostick.

11) C.J. Solberg was the winner of the Voertman's $50 door prize.

12) The meeting was adjourned, 9 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Millie Johnson, Secretary