Page 9 - The Decorative Painter Winter 2016

Society Update
EXPERIENCING CONFERENCE THROUGH THE EYES OF FIRST-TIME ATTENDEES
By Kristen Farrell
Meet Georgia Mazanet
Georgia Mazanet joined SDP in 2009, but it took seven years for her to experience her first SDP International Conference & Expo.
“It was awesome,” said Georgia, who is a member of the Florida Suncoast Decorative Artists chapter in Tampa, Fla. Georgia’s chapter sponsored her and fellow member Carolyn to attend this year’s event in San Diego, Calif.
Every year, the chapter sponsors two members to attend our hallmark event. Members can only be sponsored once every five years and do not have to be serving on the board or a committee.
“I bought a lot of neat things and met a lot of wonderful people,” is how she described her overall experience. Georgia had the opportunity to take classes, shop the Expo, and participate in the social events, including the Chapters & Members Gathering where there was a great exchange on how to recruit, retain and engage members.
Even with her chapter’s support, Georgia had to pay for some of her travel expenses. One evening, she and Carolyn split a burger to reduce the cost of the meal. “If you can plan and find ways to save money, the trip is well worth it.”
At the end of the week, Georgia shared her excitement for next year’s event taking place in her home state. “I can’t wait!” she exclaimed.
Georgia, we can’t either!
Meet David Mood
After David Mood retired from his career in technology, he took up a hobby that he was curious about for a while, but never had the time to try – painting.
“I mainly paint in acrylics and
watercolors,” said David, who has been
painting for one year. He started painting
at Beyond Brushstroke in Glen Burnie,
Md. That’s where he learned about and
decided to join the Chesapeake Bay
Decorative Painters chapter, which meets
at various libraries in Anne Arundel
County. Next, he decided to take “An Artful Journey” to San Diego to see what the SDP International Conference & Expo was all about.
If you attended the event, there’s a good chance you saw David. He filled his itinerary with classes, including Debbie Cole’s two special event classes. Whether it was beginner’s luck or he’s just a lucky guy, David took home a DecoArt door prize from one of the classes. The best part – he took Sue Pruett’s skills workshop the next day where he learned how to use the paints he won.
In addition to painting, David was one of the first people in line for the Expo Premiere Opening. He even spent time volunteering.
“I liked it,” he said. Initially, he didn’t know what to expect. Now that he knows what SDP is all about, he hopes to get more involved in his chapter and attend the event again in Daytona Beach next May.
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Paint
With Us... ...Join A Chapter
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