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February Thoughts

Last month I left you with the lines; When you see a board member you might want to say “thanks”. Remember some were there when all we had were ideas and dreams.

This month you might want to say; Thanks to our wonderful and giving membership. Many of those were there also when all we had were ideas and dreams. It takes a special group of people to set aside egos and do what is best for the future of an organization. Our members are the pinnacle of that idea. Unlike water which only flows from the top down, a successful art group flows and feeds from the bottom up much like nature grows its trees, flowers and all of the colorful wonders we enjoy in spring. The members are the heart and soul of the Paducah Area Painters Alliance.

Our mission, in part, is to share our individual ideas with others. Have you ever been to a monthly meeting when everyone is knee deep in discussion about their project? Well, just listen, before you know it someone has inquired how to accomplish a certain task and another someone has answered. Before you know it there is a round table discussion (most of the time standing of course, so does that make it a round standing discussion, but I’m off track) about the techniques, application and finishing of said project. No member refuses to share, in depth, their knowledge of art. Many volunteer to hold workshops for others so we can further our education in the arts.

Come time to help with our one fund raiser each year, BBQ on the River, everyone steps up to the plate. Whether it is setting up the trailer, dipping ice cream, attending to the strawberries, squirting whipped cream, taking money or taking the trailer down, all members help. Keeping the Gallery open longer hours during that time takes more effort and it is given. Saturday nights After Dinner during the summer is always booked with regular and new members. Not to forget all who keep the Gallery on a continuing basis, what a job they do! From the chair in charge of scheduling to those who devote their time to keep the doors open, a “thank you”, it could not happen without you.

New shows are hung each quarter by a member that accepted responsibility on her on. Our wonderful newsletter is edited and published each month by the same members that took the responsibility years ago. The daily operation of the Gallery, the paying of our bills, membership chair, the cleaning of our home and surrounding area are all accomplished by members who took that responsibly on their own. Planting of our flowers and the care and watering of such are performed by members who donate their time and money. New members interface with those already here without so much as a hic cup, PAPA members are generous, gracious and willing. How fortunate we are.

You only have to come to a meeting and see the number of members who attend, look at their faces, feel the excitement and then you can truly understand what makes PAPA the most successful and oldest practicing art group every assembled in our area. Bill Clinton once said about the country “it’s the economy”. Well I’m here to tell you with Paducah Area Painters Alliance “it’s the members”. Hats off!!! It takes everyone on the same page to sustain as we have and it takes everyone together to continue our move forward. So the next time you see a member (yourself perhaps) say “Thank You”, because, after all, you are the ones that got us where we are today. And I know some of you were here when all we had were ideas and dreams.

Do good work
Dwain