Friday, January 30, 2009

Members Only Club

Okay, my apologies for the 80's throwback title! But this post is about groups, more specifically, being a member of groups.

Currently, I am a member of MCQ (Minnesota Contemporary Quilters) where I also serve as the Program Chair. I'm a member of AQS (American Quilt Society), TheQuiltShow.com, The Minnesota Quilters, and NEMAA (North East Minneapolis Arts Association). And now I am giving consideration to SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates).

Then I started to do some adding, and now I wonder! So far, my running tally a year (assuming membership fees don't go up) is: $170. Joining SAQA would make that $220 a year, and that's just for the $50 regular membership.

So here is the question: Is it worth it? I don't hear too many people talking about SAQA. Is anyone out there a member that recommends joining? Is it just an online social arena? Or is there real artist career clout to it? I.E. Is this a membership that will make me friend, help my career seriously, or possibly both? I'd love to hear what you think!

I'm pleased to announce that I finished my bathroom and bedroom yesterday - if only it weren't January in Minnesota, I might have gotten it painted too! Hubby's big birthday bash is tomorrow, and there is still some cleaning to do in other rooms!

Happy news - my best friend who was laid off in December, received word that a job she interviewed for is hers! Woooohoooo! Thank goodness! She lives with hubby and I - and I have gotten used to her being home the past couple months! (It's kinda been like the permanent sleep over I always wanted in middle school! Awesome!) I suppose since she has to get back to work, I will too!

It worked out well for me! It gave me company during my winter hibernation/sad time, and kept me from really getting down in the dumps again this winter! It also gave me a lot of rest time before I start to gear up for the huge art crawl this spring!

A reward of being part of NEMAA is that I have the opportunity to participate in Art-A-Whirl. It's a huge art crawl in NE Minneapolis in May!

My other exciting even coming up, is the Ikea quilt challenge - Project Patchwork! The winners are announce and the quilts are auctioned off at the Bloomington Ikea on March 21! I have a one in fifty shot at a $1,000 studio makeover from Ikea.

Now I'm off to do some more cleaning - though I'd rather go back to bed!

5 comments:

Bridget473 said...

Yeah -- the first thing that popped into my head when I read your title was "jacket". :) Glad to hear your friend got a new job. How wonderful. I'm not in any of those organizations so I can't really help you there, but I have to ask -- What is an "art crawl"? Sounds interesting!

suzanengler said...

Good question SAQA. I don't have the answer but will keep up with others' comments. I want to network with other like-minded artists but not sure now to do it most effectively.

Anonymous said...

I am not a member of the SAQ...yet. someday maybe...It does seem to add some art clout or distingtiveness to ones portfolio. It seems that many of the art quilters I am finding have that membership. I cannot say if they have a large and active network. They do feature members on their page. I suppose I am not telling you anything you dont already know. The costs seem somewhat prohibitive, however..in this increasingly NET guilded world...it may be worth it as a form of advertisement and clout. Just my thoughts.

Maggi said...

Being a member of SAQA does enable you to gain more exposure. There was an exhibition by their members at last year's Festival of Quilts in the UK - our major quilt show. It was extremely good and received much attention. I am seriously considering joining.

Anonymous said...

Knowing some of the members of SAQA yes I know this will be a good membership for you.

Teri