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

2) Treasurer Nancy Donley reported that there is $10,375.30 in the VAST checking account and $5,390.67 in the CD, yielding a total of $15,765.97 in current accounts.

3) Gail Webb Workshop Chair Mary Emerson reported that the Gail Webb Workshop to be held February 28 to March 3, 2005 is now full.

4) Williams reported that the June Impson Scholarship Fund now has $517.00 in donations available for individuals who would like to attend workshops sponsored by VAST. She stated that the scholarships, previously limited to students, are now open for VAST members who are interested in attending workshops. She stated that she had the application forms available and encouraged members in the group to apply.

5) First Vice-President Diane Dorn reported on the Joye Moon Workshop to be held this summer, July 19-22, 2005. She stated that Moon would be coming from Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and that she had held workshops in Spain, France, and other countries. Dorn also stated that this will be a watercolor workshop and that Moon will offer her unique product line to workshop participants. Further information on the workshop included that it will cost $45 per day, or $180 for the four days, and have daily times of 9:30 to 4 p.m.

6) In the absence of Spring Exhibition Chair Erin DeGenero, Williams reported that approximately 680 slides had been submitted for the Spring Exhibition. Williams also stated that 15 people had attended Slide Night on January 3, and that it was a very enjoyable evening.

7) In the absence of Membership Chair Vidya Kagal, C. J. Solberg gave a membership report, stating that there were 35 members present and two visitors. She also reported that VAST now has a total of 176 members.

8) Second Vice-President Beth Haywood announced that there are opportunities for members to hang their work at Uncommon Ground, Barns and Noble Bookstore, Wildwood Inn, and the North Branch of the Denton Public Library. She asked for volunteers to help coordinate and hang exhibits, as well as submit their work.

Haywood also announced the High School Art Exhibition to be held at the VAST General Meeting on February 3, 2005. She urged members to be present and wants a big crowd for this event. She also emphasized that there will be lots of cash prizes for the students.

9) Cathy Mitchell, a VAST member and Denton ISD art teacher, made an announcement concerning a suggestion made by one of her students that Denton artists and students hold a silent auction of their work to raise money for the tsunami victims. She stated that students are not able to sell or donate their work made with school materials, but could help in other ways, and that the idea could be expanded into a community project. Holding the auction will not only require artists to contribute some of their work, but will also involve finding a place to hold the auction and having ample publicity through newspapers and other sources. Mitchell stated that she will donate some of her pottery and urged VAST members to also make donations. She would like to hold the auction within the next two or three weeks.

10) Dorn introduced guest presenter Larry Matthews, a practicing artist from Denison, Texas, who works primarily with the encaustic method of painting. She stated that his work is currently being shown in galleries, corporate offices, and private collections throughout the United States and some in Mexico. Matthews is also the Director of the 416westgallery in Denison.

Larry Matthews offered information and a demonstration of the encaustic technique of painting, stating that encaustic paint, though created from beeswax and requiring heating to use, can do essentially what acrylic, oil, and other paint can do. He paints on plywood, sometimes covered with paper, stating that the medium requires a stiff and porous surface. Although Matthews prefers to do abstract work, he showed that the paint can actually be very versatile. He passed around a book that he recommends for anyone interested in learning encaustic techniques entitled The Art of Encaustic Techniques, by JoAnne Mattera. He also passed around several examples of his finished and very impressive encaustic work.

Matthews mentioned that heating the paint must be done with care and temperature kept at about 225 degrees, since to overheat the paint releases toxic fumes.

Members were able to ask questions and many expressed interest in this unique way of painting. Matthews had also prepared a very comprehensive information and instruction sheet on encaustic painting that contained all the basic requirements for working in this medium, which was made available to interested members.

11) The First Place Award in the Mini Show was won by June Impson, and Second Place Award by Deanna Wood. Dana Blanchard won the Voertman's $50 gift certificate.

12) The meeting was adjourned by President Williams, 9 p.m.