Page 3 - The Decorative Painter Spring 2015

Official publication of the Society of Decorative Painters
SDP BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Pat Marler
President
Wendy Watson
Vice President/President-Elect
Allison M. Leeds
Recording Secretary
Susan Herr
Treasurer
Donna Frost
Past President
BOARD MEMBERS-AT-LARGE Marilyn Corners mda Michele L. Heiser
Toni M. Hoffer
Dawn Knowles
Linda Sharp cda
Kathy Swigon cda
See page 5 for board member contact information.
SDP PUBLICATIONS STAFF
MAGAZINE COORDINATOR/ GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sheryl Born (ext. 119) sheryl@decorativepainters.org
DP EDITOR EMERITUS
Mary Jo Leisure mda, tda
SDP STAFF
ACCOUNTING MANAGER
Heidi Headley (ext. 109) heidi@decorativepainters.org
CERTIFICATION COORDINATOR/ FINANCE ASSISTANT
Cristy Keeton (ext. 114) cristy@decorativepainters.org
CONFERENCE & EDUCATION COORDINATOR/ CHAPTER RELATIONS
Lisa Curry (ext. 104) lisa@decorativepainters.org
CONFERENCE ASSISTANT/ MUSEUM COORDINATOR/ JAPANESE RELATIONS Miho Shimizu (ext. 121) miho@decorativepainters.org
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR/ SPANISH RELATIONS
Sony Sacks (ext. 105) sony@decorativepainters.org
ADVERTISING SALES
Tim Braden tbraden@fwpi.com (800)344-0559 / (315)789-0458
THE DECORATIVE PAINTER
Issue Date: February 2015
Volume XLIV/Number 1
The Decorative Painter is published quarterly. Printed in the USA
PUBLISHER
Society of Decorative Painters 393 N. McLean Blvd. Wichita, KS 67203-5968 (316) 269-9300 / fax (316) 269-9191 sdp@decorativepainters.org www.decorativepainters.org
PRINTING
Publishers Press, Shepherdsville, KY USA
ON THE COVER
Red Fox Kit with Trillium
Sherry C. Nelson mda, tda Photo/Steve Gerig
DECORATIVEPAINTERS.ORG
President’s lette
Dear SDP Friends:
Many of us use the new year to reflect on
what has been, to learn from the past, and
to set goals for the future. This year, as I look back, I am amazed at the challenges we have overcome as an organization. Still, it should not surprise me that our Society is resilient. For forty-three years, the Society of Decorative Painters has been reinventing itself, growing, and painting together. Change can be scary, but it is humbling to remember that our international organization of many thousands of members began with just a handful of painters in a home in Tulsa, Okla.
Today, we have a lot to look forward to and much for which to be thankful. Through our agreement with the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA), I believe we now have the support we need to meet the outstanding challenges facing our organization (see page 7). More resources,
more opportunities, but with the same commitment to the history of decorative painting that our members expect. We look forward to not just surviving, but also thriving as we share the joy of painting with a new generation of would-be artists. There hasn’t been a more exciting time to be a decorative painter!
We are excited about SDP’s International 43rd Annual Conference & Expo.
The event will be May 11-16, 2015, in St. Charles, Ill. Our Conference attendees overwhelmingly enjoyed staying at Pheasant Run Resort in 2013, and it was the clear choice as we return to the Midwest. If you haven’t yet browsed our classes in the Conference Special, be sure to download it now or order a printed copy from our site at decorativepainters.org/conference/conferencespecial.php. Conference registration opens Feb. 10. If you have never attended our Conference & Expo, this is the ideal opportunity to meet and learn from the top artists in the field of decorative painting, the art world in general, and explore the latest surfaces, designs, and products. It is also a great way to meet new friends and jump-start your creativity. If, like me, you have attended many shows in the past, I want you to know there are hosts of new activities planned and more opportunities to grow and learn. Truly, there is something for everyone!
Please remember, we all love The Decorative Painter, but SDP membership is about much more than a beautiful magazine. When you paint with your local chapter, when you teach at Conference, when you donate your time and your art to helping your community, you bring the joy of decorative painting to everyone. Painting helps you and it helps those around you.
As my term as your president ends, and I look forward to the wonderful new opportunities SDP has on the horizon, I would like to say thank you for joining me
on this mission. I would also say a special thanks to my board and the great staff in Wichita. This is not a job that can be accomplished alone. It has been an honor to work with this phenomenal team. It has also been a rewarding and challenge experience for me. I am excited to see the next chapter as I paint alongside you.
Paint with a happy heart!
Pat Marler
President, Society of Decorative Painters
MISSION
To stimulate worldwide interest in and appreciation for decorative painting; to recognize the diversity of and excellence in the art form; and to serve as the educational resource center for all aspects of decorative painting.
President’s letter
The Decorative Painter • ISSUE NO. 1, 2015 1
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