Bodo Stolczenberger: Candidate for President

 If you would like to be added to Bodo’s emailing list of artist members 

Contact him at:   

DOGSLIFE_9@hotmail.com

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Is cronyism a problem with the management of the Palette and Chisel? If so, how would you address it?

 In terms of management two individuals who know each other, above friend level, should not be working in the same institution. it allows transparency to be blocked, could lead to corruption and undermine the integrity of the Palette. It should be clear that spouses, boyfriends/girlfriends, should be excluded from holding office simultaneously. 

 Between Management and instructors, running of the Palette should not be based on favoritism, but results, i.e. full classes. This could be addressed by limiting instructor's, for example, to 3, 4, or 5 straight years of teaching, with a one-year break, and bringing in some new instructors, to refresh the programs.

 What goals do you have for the PNC besides growing and serving its membership? 

I would like to see the Palette as both a national and international drawing/painting venue. We have the capability to attract artists from around the world who would consider the Palette as a destination for figurative study, in their travels. 

 How many weeks in our exhibition year should be given to solo or group exhibitions of non-member artists ? 

Six to eight weeks would be a fair amount to bring in outside shows. Although the gallery is booked solid throughout the year, it's also good to bring in outside groups and encourage their members to consider the Palette as a learning resource.

 Would you like to convert any private studios into public ones. ? 

Has been suggested, but no action taken. The coach house, ground level, would be an ideal candidate for an additional paid workshop space, taking some strain of the main building. I would be less inclined to join two or more spaces in the couch house, 2nd floor, or main building, also 2nd floor. I would consider a maximum of a 4 or 5-year limit for a paid studio. The new limit would bring in new people with new ideas. 

 What standing committees, if any, would you work to establish? 

standing committee to plan out physical improvements to the building, landscaping, painting, repair, etc...in a logical, concise and efficient manner 

 How could we take better advantage of the internet ? 

Promote on additional social media sites. Target promotions to universities and other arts related organizations. Podcast, videos, streaming, Webinars... Add internet-based payments services, Venmo, Zell, PayPal, etc...to offer more payment options. 

 Should any available wall, shelf, or garden space be available for whatever art a member chooses to leave there? 

In terms of the courtyard, it should be periodically be cleaned out/removed by the owners. It is after all a public space, not a private garden area, nor storage area. I would like to see more of what the Palette owns hung on the walls 

 How would you respond to credible reports of any staff, teacher, or monitor who has pursued a romantic relationship with someone whom they hire, teach, or supervise ?

Conflict of interest, ethics and liability. We should be operating with the same principles as a corporation. Any credible reports should be reviewed, by an outside party, and if sustained, the staff, teacher, monitor should be removed from their duties. It is unethical for a staff member, teacher, or monitor to use his or her position, for their personal gain. This type of behavior, left unaddressed, opens up the Palette not only to financial liability, but damages its integrity as well. 

 What do you look for from an executive director? 

Always looking to improve the organization standing in the community, availability to members and staff, and ability to understand the artists perspective in decision making process. 

 Should PNC artist members be given access to the email addresses of other artist members? 

Absolutely yes, who else can candidates communicate to Artist's Members? Qualifier, I would make that an opt-in for Artist Members. 

 How could the PNC reach out to artists in the Latin and African-American communities? 

Publications geared to people of color, email campaigns, Reaching out to CPS.

 Should the PNC website post the minutes of the quarterlies and board meetings?

Might include Artist Members, not sure if Associate Members or the general public would even be interested in that information. 

How can voters interact with candidates in Palette and Chisel elections?

 

 Debate, or In-Person Zoom would be good for all candidates and Palette members, Associate or Artist Members. Would add another level of transparency as well as encourage more Associate Members to become Artists Members and be active participants in the process.

 

 What should the reputation of the Palette and Chisel be? What should we be known for?

 

 Professional and above reproach reputationally. 1st class models, instructor's and a beacon for the city, region, nationally and internationally, in figurative study. 

 

 

 

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Questions presented by Ed Zawicki —- answered by Bodo

 

 Q: When a member of the public hears the Palette and Chisel mentioned, what should immediately come to mind? 

 A: Skilled artist. reknowned art faciltiy, go-to place for figurative study.

 

 Q: How do you plan to increase the prominence of the Palette and Chisel in the Chicago art community? 

A: Additional promotion in social media and print. Offer limited, reduced open draw admission fee, for particular days, or months. Once monthly open house of the Palette.

 

 Q: What should the guiding principles of the Palette’s officers and board members be? 

A: The Palette comes first, personal friendship and favoritism need to be set aside. 

 

Q: How should the Palette’s officers and board members be accountable to its members?

 A: Since all officers are elected, minus the Executive Director. The election really resolves that. Only other option would be to amend the bylaws by adding a No Vote Of Confidence clause and requiring a set percentage of Artist Members to agree for dismissel or retention

 

 Q: What steps would you take to increase transparency of Palette management and board operations? A: Possible internal site, available to P&C members only, posted by Officers, Directors and Executive Director, listing issues and their status, bi-weekly or monthly, to gauge progress on Palette related issues. 

 

 Q: What steps would you take to enhance the transparency, availability, and scheduling of the Palette’s exhibition space? 

 

A: Common knowledge is that the gallery schedule fills up rather quickly, within a week of the announced gallery schedule. Option would be a paper schedule, posted nearby the office, or better yet, a website link with a calander, on the Palette website, listing the upcoming shows. 

 

 Q: What plans do you have to increase sales of artwork during Palette sponsored exhibitions (e.g. “Best of the Rest”, “Gold Show”, etc.) 

 

 A: While heavily promoting all other shows, our best sales come from the under $300 sales, which should be an indicator of who are demographics appeal to. Getting patrons through the door is not the issue, swiping for $1000 is. There might be untapped resources available, so maybe a Promotion Committee is something we should look at next.

 

 Q: What steps can be taken to enhance communication to Palette members and within the member community itself? 

 

 Blog site, website, or FB page, or BBS, all private, where the office can post their messages for all members to access. And members can respond back, or not

 

. Q: The Palette has an existing system of paid lockers and bins for storage. What are your thoughts about members storing their items outside of those paid, designated areas? 

 

 A: This would fall into the catagory of a once yearly house cleaning, with volunteers, top to bottom at the Palette. Provide notice to all P&C members, 30 days out, provide a container for temporary disposel, and unless it's marked by an active member, on day 30, the cleaning begins. Also, bear in mind that some things just do not fit in lockers or bins, if items are disposed of that prevent an artist from creating, they might go elseware. Currently doesn't look bad compared to the last time I cleaned the 3rd floor. 

 

 Q: The Palette bylaws (Section VIII.8) requires that voting members be provided a list of all voting members including addresses 30 days prior to a vote. Do you believe that this should be interpreted to include the email addresses? Why or why not? 

 

A: That sounds like pre-internet days, with the advent of email, we might need to amend the bylaw to include both, or just email. And as I have stated before, it should be an opt-in if you would like your email to be included on the Artist Member list.

 

 Good questions Ed. Hope they were answered for you. 

 

 

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Bodo's answers to Chris' questions

 

 

Would you establish an Education Committee to vet instructors and assign the studio time slots ? 

 

 An Education Committe would be a good idea, maybe even seek out instructors throughout the arts community, with different approaches, techniques, and styles.

 

 Should the Palette and Chisel curate shows of the best mimetic/expressive/classical art made by non-members? 

 

 Earlier post response was 6-8 outside shows at the Palette would be adequate. If we add 2 more, mimetic/expressive/classical art shows, that would be giving us a total of 10 non-member shows, and would represent 20% of available gallery time, which I think would be adequate. 

 

 What exact proportion of studio time should be given to classes rather than open workshops ? 

 Looking at the overall weekly schedule there is still room to add three or four more paid workshops that do not interfere with the current open studios. If those were in place than some open studio session could be returned to their previous locations

. Would you establish an internet/social media committee ? 

We are behind the curve on social media, but catching up. Updating social media is very labor intensive, which is where a more hands-on approach, maybe volunteers, or a committee, would be beneficial. keep in mind that when images are asked for by the office, members reply late, or not at all, making it difficult to update.

 

 Would you establish a house and grounds committee ?

 Yes, house and grounds committee and perhaps a landscape contract, if we don't already have one, to spruce up the place on a regular bases. Outside appearance is what potential members and neighbors see first. It should be maintained.

 

 Would you establish a committee to evaluate staff ?

 The Palette could send out a snail mail questioner to all members annually, which should be returned to a third party, anonymously, and the information could be compiled and presented to all interested party's

 Would you like to convert any private studios into public ones? 

Responded to in an earlier question, only the 1st floor coach house. I would rather leave all other studios intact.

 Would you establish an elections committee 

I don't think at this point we need an elections committee, just a more established procedure than the election is tomorrow and by the way we sent out ballots yesterday. It could be a four-week process. Week one: Announces the election to all Palette members, encouraging them to become Artist Members to run as a candidate, vote, or take advantage of the perks, Gold and Silver shows, studio rentals, etc... Week two: update Artist Members list, which should include opt-in email address', and send out to candidates. Send out candidates bios. Week three: Send out ballots Week four: Receive ballots, place in lock-box (now established) and count on appropriate day. 

 Whose responsibility is it to reach out to artists in the Latin and African-American communities? 

 I could see a "PR Committee" solely designed to work for underserved communities to increase awareness in the arts and the opportunity's available at the Palette. This could also be tied into social media to promote the message that we are an all-inclusive learning facility. 

 Would you recommend that the Officers and Directors periodically attend a retreat to be coached by a professional in volunteer boards ? I would rather an outside service, sit in on several of our board meetings, and make recommendations. Or we tape every meeting and send them a copy for review and analysis. 

 Should we try to inform the voting membership about the budget before asking them to approve it ? For transparency, yes. The budget should be mailed out to voting member 7-10 days out and a Zoom meeting could be set up to address budget issues the day of the vote. 

 Should there be a Finance Committee to oversee expenditures and advise the Treasurer on making the budget ? 

 I would like to see, in the form of percentages, what our revenue sources and expenses are, year to year. That would give us a profile of our strengths and weakness. Dollar amounts are fine, but don't show the budget in context.

 Should Directors be required to make some kind of contribution other than showing up for Board meetings ?

If responsibilities could be added to Directors title's that would help the Palette tremendously in accomplishing more goals in a shorter amount of time, thereby benefiting all members. It would also deter becoming a Director, just for the title.