A Note from Deb Newman, CWS President

President’s Message – May 2026

President’s Message – May 2026 – Thank You So Much

What a wonderful start to the new fiscal year for CWS. About fifty members attended our Potluck and Officers Ceremony, where we recognized coordinators, volunteers, and board members with roses and thanks for all they do. The art basket raffle also raised more than $150, with Sally Sauer as the winner.

Past President Darla Goldberg assembled the raffle basket and officiated the ceremony, while President Deb Newman presented roses. The board also honored Treasurer Aileen Croly with a $100 gift certificate in recognition of her nine years of outstanding service. In addition to her treasury work, Aileen has produced our brochure, directory, and email blasts while helping preserve CWS history and procedures. We are deeply grateful for her dedication.

We also thank Dori Sullivan, Past President and longtime publicist, for her years of service as our voice in the Chronicle and other publications. We now welcome Elaine McLaughlin to the role and are fortunate to have her marketing experience and talents.

June Exhibit and Sale (Exhibit: June 10–July 31 | Sale: June 13–14 | Coordinator: Helene Lancaster me2xs@aol.com) Intake for the two-month exhibit: June 10, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (limit 3 wall pieces). There is NO fee for this invitational exhibit. Artwork must be framed, wired for hanging, and clean. Pieces should remain on display for the full exhibit if possible. If an exhibit painting sells and the buyer cannot wait until the end of July, it may be replaced during the show and sale weekend, so please bring backup pieces. Afterwards, if someone wants to purchase from the exhibit, the Art Center will notify me, and I will connect you with the buyer. You arrange for pickup and payment and replace the exhibit piece at that time. Remember 20% commission goes to the Art Center of Citrus County, for which you’ll be responsible for sales from exhibit. (email questions to Debnewman57@yahoo.com or text 614-309-3472).

Judging: Limit 2 pieces; fee is $10 for one, $15 for two. Bring them on June 10 or Saturday morning, 8:00 a.m. Judged pieces may be hung in the exhibit or placed in the short-term sales area.

Room setup: Friday, June 12, after the meeting. Help is needed with tables, chairs, racks, and browse boxes. Helene will direct.

Day of sale: Saturday, June 13. Sellers should arrive at 8:00 a.m. to finalize set up. The sale runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. All sales and commissions will be handled as per usual by the sales team. The sales pieces will be hung on racks. You can bring up to two for the racks, and up to three for the exhibit wall. Remember to have replacements readily available.

End of sale: Sunday, June 14. Sellers arrive at 8:30 a.m. The sale ends at 4:00 p.m. Afterward, please help tear down the room and return items to Diamond Storage.

Please help promote the event by posting flyers and sharing them on Facebook. Extra visibility will help increase traffic. Contact Helene Lancaster if you need additional flyers. Email her at: me2xs@aol.com

Upcoming Workshop: Bev Yankwitt – July 11th – please go to our website to sign up for this abstract workshop, entitled “Abstraction of the Human Body”. Citruswatercolorsociety.org

Coming in October: Introduction to Watercolor—a one-day workshop on October 10, followed by a six-week course beginning October 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. More details to come. Instructor: Theo Van Eldik theo.vaneldik@yahoo.com

2026-2027 Board of Directors (not shown in order)

Photo credit: Ange