Replies by Other Candidates

 

 Note: I have tried to contact all of the candidates - but may have failed. If you are a candidate, I will post whatever you have to say about anything in the space below.

You can contact me at:  chris.miller.2823@gmail.com

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If you, the reader, have questions for any of these candidates, 

please email them to me

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 ALISA KANNETT   (Treasurer)

As I am currently not on the Board, I am only aware of one committee…”Lighting” I would love to have committees so that we can collaborate and get new ideas. This goes for Education, House and Grounds, Staff Evaluation, Election and Finance.

 In my opinion the budget approval process is not very transparent. I believe the budget itself needs to be more detailed. I attended the open meeting for approval and it led me down the road to total frustration. Directors indeed need to be more active on committees. Attending 4 board meetings a year is not a commitment.

 As I am running for Treasurer, I indeed feel the necessity for a Finance Committee to advise and collaborate with 

 As for open studios vs workshops vs classes.…I have attended workshops, classes and open studios and feel the need for all. The building is terribly underused and inefficient. There are spaces that can be used so as not to disrupt open studios or classes.

 

 MARY QIAN  (Director)

 

I have gone through your questions carefully, think these questions are actually the key motivations for most candidates to run. 

 I have my hope for the future of palette, and will try my best to build a community that is creative, open minded with communications and new ideas. At the same time it can be compassionate. 

 I would try my best to discourage unfairness and territorial behaviors. 

 Palette has been a heaven for the community to seek art as passion and leisure. At same time, we want to attract younger generations with artistic capabilities, and career opportunities - this is something we need to figure out how to approach.

Open studio has always been and will remain as my first priority. It is not merely a place to share models. It is a place we share artistic thoughts, techniques, and friendship! It was from these open studios that I have met a group of people who are not only passionate about art, but also with a generous heart. They never hesitate to offer help when people are in need again and again. It is the community that drew me to, and I believe also draws others.

 I want to introduce the palette to the rest of the art world. Hope we can create more artistic sharing events, even field trips. Bring in more variety of artists and shows in future. 

 

ED ZAWICKI  (Director)

I’ve been a member of the Palette for the last 5 years and regularly attend open studios. Currently, I co-monitor the Friday Zoom session with my wife (Hao Chang) and occasionally substitute monitor on Sundays as needed. For a couple years, I attended sculpture open studio and would substitute monitor for that when needed as well.

I regularly volunteer to help with events (Memorial day Model Marathon, Fall Clearance, stuffing envelopes, Spring Clearance, Chicago Open House), etc.

With my background in IT prior to retiring last October (Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer at UIC), I am willing and able to assist the Palette modernize its IT operations. I’ve already invested a fair amount of time in implementing a couple of things currently in use on the backend (the model intake application form and open studio spreadsheet statistics) by the administration. I read in the October 2022 board minutes that a committee was to be formed to revamp our website and internet presence and volunteered to be on that committee. Unfortunately, I’m told it has not yet met.

During and after the pandemic many of our members have become remote and attend only by zoom. While we try to make our sessions enjoyable, the current equipment is not up to the task. We need two new cameras that work well in our studio lighting, a laptop with enough horsepower to handle higher resolution video speeds and improved internet to get the streams to our members. Once we have this, I would encourage other monitors to stream their sessions on Zoom when the model is clothed to provide our remote members with more options to paint and draw.

My experience in IT in an educational environment translates directly to the current situation at the Palette. In my previous role, I would regularly identify and fix broken processes. The Palette has many areas that need attention.

In preparation for the role of Director, I’ve read through the Palette Bylaws and Standard Operating Procedures. I’ve also reviewed the minutes of the board meetings for the last 20 years. While the minutes show that over the years, work has been proposed and accomplished, there are many things that have not been tried or have fallen by the wayside.

I’ve also attended the last two open meetings (elections in 2022 and the budget meeting this May 3). Both meetings have left me with the sincere feeling that the board is broken. The Palette Bylaws are not being followed and some of the current board members show a lack of respect for non-board members.

Perhaps it’s my 36 years at a university, but I firmly believe that everyone is equal and deserves respect for their person and their ideas. Those in a position of power have the responsibility to work for the greater good and show respect to all.

I am not an instructor and do not have any plans to become an instructor. The board has enough instructors on it. We need some regular member representation as well. I have no stake in this other than to help improve the Palette and help it run professionally.

If elected to the board, I would strive to represent all interests. I would advocate for regular input from members (when was the last time you were asked for your opinion?) and better communication. Not just communication about workshops and classes, but news about what’s being discussed on the board and what is happening with members. Advance notice so that you can plan your schedule when it might be affected. I would work to bring the Palette into this century. I would listen to what members have to say and discuss the pros and cons of issues.

Please support me with your vote and together we can make the Palette an even better place than it already is. Thank you.

ADDISON XU (Director)

I am interested in extending the Palette and Chisel's reach to a wider audience of artists in the Chicago area. We could use social media more effectively (videos, Reels, maybe TikTok, etc). We need more engagement from a younger audience - anecdotally I know there are many young people who are interested in learning to draw and paint from life who don't have (or are aware of) a place to work or study. We could improve on our outreach to other communities and create different art programs/classes that younger artists might be interested in. We could also find more ways to create scholarship opportunities for people to study here. 

 Additionally, we will put in more effort to attract artists from across the country to teach workshops. This would help raise P&C's profile, and as you mentioned - some are worried that open studios might be closed due to this - so I think we can use our building more effectively. 

 These are a couple of things on my mind as I run for Director - I look forward to working with other members and the broader P&C community if I am elected.

ERROL JACOBSON (Director)

CLAYTON BECK (Director)

CATHY BUCK. (Secretary)

As of 2022, I am a new addition to the Palette and Chisel board as Secretary. I have had the experience of serving on many other non-profit boards. I see the position of Secretary as an opportunity to help clarify functions as well as aid in organizing new ideas and activities. 

I hope to promote an inclusive environment with healthy boundaries for all participants, members and staff, to work towards common goals. Over the last decade, I have been a student in classes and workshops, a participant in open studios and shows, and an organizer for drawing appointments at the Art Institute of Chicago for Palette artists. Through the years I have met so many generous and talented people at the Palette who openly share their time, skills, and ideas. I would like to continue to participate to promote that type of fellowship.