WMAA Receives
Tax Exempt Status

The WMAA received tax exempt status in early December, and will also be registered with the NJ Division of Consumer Affairs. We will be providing annual reports pursuant to the Charities Registration and Investigation Act. This is a major step towards finalizing the structure of the organization, and will benefit the members and patrons considerably. Our status enables contributors to make tax deductible donations, for which they will receive membership status and benefits, as well as invitations to 'members-only events'. Most importantly, this status qualifies the WMAA for a multitude of grants from foundations which sponsor the Arts.

Membership Drive Continues

With over 200 entries on our mailing list, the West Milford Artists’ Association has clearly caught the attention of many artists and art lovers. However, there is always room for more! Director Lin Warren asked at the last General Meeting for everyone to be on the lookout for potential members. Membership is handled by our Vice President, Shizuka Campagna, at membership@wmartists.org. In addition, the group is looking to expand it’s mailing list, so any names and addresses of individuals or businesses who would be interested in hearing about our exhibitions and events should be forwarded to Martha Boshart, at medoodle@verizon.net. It is not necessary to be a member to be touched by art and the WMAA!

WMAA Web Site
Upgrade Planned

For up-to-the minute information and late breaking news, we all know we can tune in to the WMAA web site, at www.wmartists.org. Plans are in the works to upgrade the web site to include a member gallery, calendar of events, news and press releases, as well as an on-line membership application and registration for workshops and classes.

What a Bargain!

A WMAA membership card is more than just a pretty logo—at these stores it will net you a discount on your purchases:

Gull Cottage Gallery on Rte. 23 in Newfoundland offers commercial rate discounts to WMAA members.

Kubert’s Art & Graphic Supply, at 37 Myrtle Ave in Dover offers a 15% discount with your WMAA membership card.

Pearl Paint offers a 10% discount at all stores nationwide. Pearl has local retail stores on Route 17 in Paramus and Route 1 in Woodbridge New Jersey.

Jerry’s Artist Outlet is also offering a 10% discount to members. They are located in the Essex Green Shopping Center, just off of Route 280 in West Orange.

The WMAA thanks these vendors for their assistance!

Township Council Considers
Disposition of Wallisch Property

WMAA Director Lin Warren and other officers spoke at the West Milford Township Council Meeting on Thursday, December 4. Warren explained that the WMAA is offering a much needed resource in bringing art programs to the area. Since after school art programs have been cut, she sees education efforts by the WMAA as a way to fill the void. The Wallisch property on Lincoln Ave, willed to both the Township Council and the Board of Education, has been vacant despite the need of local organizations such as the Artists' Association for a permanent home. This dual ownership has made it difficult for decisions to be made, and the buildings have continued to degrade over time. In January, a new Mayor, Joseph DiDonato and a new Council took office, and they will have to make a determination about the best way to move forward. Other groups have also expressed an interest in the property, which would need renovation, maintenance, and insurance. Hopefully, the first step has been taken, and one decision-making body will emerge with the power to get things moving.

Credit: Ann Genader, Aim Action News, December 10

WMAA Member News

Page Lindroth, local painter and printmaker, and David Lindroth, cartographer and painter, will be displaying their work at Pages Studio, 74 Broadway in West Milford. They are hosting an open house on Sunday, February 15th, from 1 – 6 p.m. Please come show your support for your fellow WMAA members, and enjoy some wonderful oil, acrylic, and mixed media paintings, as well as drawings, prints and miniatures by this talented couple. Pages Studio can be reached at (973) 208-1078 for more information or directions.

The Stone Hill Gallery, owned and operated for the past 12 years by WMAA member Maria Roeser, is located at 145 Union Valley Road in Newfoundland (1 mile from Rte. 23). Maria creates many different styles of pottery, from ‘functional ware’ with a Victorian flair, to Country and Southwestern. She also makes ‘un-functional’ works such as raku, sager and horse hair firing. Come and see all her fine works on display! Hours are Wed. - Fri. 10 am - 6 pm and some Saturdays. Or you can call (973) 697-4114 for an appointment. The Stone Hill Gallery welcomes custom orders.

Momento II Restaurant, located at 347 Morsetown Road, and Arta Trattoria, at 1131Greenwood Lake Turnpike in Ringwood, have partnered with the WMAA to provide a venue for members to show their work. Work is already on display at Arta’s, and Momento is soon to follow. Showings are coordinated by Donna Fernandes.

Call and make a reservation to enjoy great food and inspiring art work! Momento’s can be reached at (973) 728-2344 and Arta’s phone number is (973) 728-2344.

Upcoming Events

January is trip month! Every Saturday in January, trips to NYC galleries and museums are being organized. One of the trips is going to the Met!

Plans are underway for WMAA member exhibitions, so check with the website for locations, dates and times of openings.

Learn something new every day! We have a full calendar of classes for our winter sessions.

All this and more can be found on our web site at www.wmartists.org.