Wow! what a wonderful conference. I wish all of you could/would have attended some part of the 2017 ANAC Conference held in York this year. It was put on by the Officers and Board of Directors of ANAC as York no longer has an active guild. The York Middle School was the location for the workshops and with a new building we were blessed with wonderful facilities. Thank you to York Public Schools for allowing us to interfere with their summer maintenance plans for a few days.
I first participated in the Jim McClelland Watercolor workshop and this was a real eye opener. I sat mesmerized as he demonstrated the detail of a bird and flower, then a little looser landscape and then a random bleeding of several colors and then turning them into a beautiful array of detailed flowers. In the afternoon we practiced on our own. I can honestly say that watercolor is still my least favorite medium but I am in awe of those of you who have mastered and love it. Mr McClelland also demonstrated how to do clouds and trees, and Lorena won that demo piece. Maybe we can get her to bring it to Guild sometime and show everyone. I learned lots of useful things that I can carry over into my oil painting so really, painting is painting, whether in oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastels, etc.
On Friday I was in a Gourd class with Linda Bernett. She did an Alcohol Ink workshop on Thursday and I slipped in there a couple of times to see what all the fun and laughter was. Everyone there seemed to have a great time. On Friday I actually had the same instructor for the Gourd class and she was a hoot. I never knew there was so much to know about gourds, from the types, to their history. Even learned a little about tools used: my dremel of course, a temperature control wood burner (never the cheap kind) and a sabertooth saw. Wicked! Did you know a luffa is really the inside of a gourd! Who knew.
The banquet was held at Chances “R”. Most of you know but if you don’t, they are pretty famous for their Prime Rib and Fried Chicken buffet with their wonderful Carrot Cake. Typical agenda of awards, announcing the honorable mentions of which our Reida Wrenholt earned, and Certificates of Excellence and Signature Awards (along with money too). Julie Noyes’s work was chosen by the Mona this year. There was a Nebraska Life Award given out to the work most representative of what it means to live in Nebraska, given out by Alan Bartels of Nebraska Life Magazine, and Best of Show to Tiiu Swan with an oil piece called “In Transit” a work depicting 20’s era people rushing through a crowded street. The Joy Long Pastel Award went to Kathlenn Lohr from Columbus for her piece called “Two Brothers”. Elections were held to fill several spots and it was noted that this is the first time in a long time that people were anxious to serve in some capacity. It sounds like the ANAC is beginning an uphill swing. It was encouraged of course to work at getting new members and especially young people just starting out. Pam Hynek gave up her two year Presidency and handed it over to Wendy Mues Bonge. Between those two and the rest of the board they put on a GREAT conference. Compliments go out to all.
Next year the 2018 conference will be held in Scottsbluff June 20- 23, the 2019 conference in Albion and the “2020” just might be Lincoln. Think about it !!!!!!!! Carmen Stineman
2017 ANAC Best of Show