After organizing an art show for the grand opening of Five Points in Washington in October, a Washington district librarian decided to see if any local artists showed interest in starting a fine arts society.

Now, eight months later, the Washington Fine Arts Society has four officers and a board of eight directors, and is currently planning another large show.

Marilyn Gee, a member of the committee that helped start the society, said the society will host a Washington Fine Arts Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and from noon to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 on the square.

“The show is open to any artist from the area, even if they are not a member,” Gee said.

With the application, an artist must include a $50 payment for his or her booth at the festival and a $5 nonrefundable juried art contest entry fee.

Gee said a prize will be awarded to the artist with the best work in the following categories: 2-D; 3-D and People’s Choice.

Although musicians will perform during the show, Gee said the society’s main goal is to promote any type of fine arts, except music.
“I make wirewrap and fused glass jewelry, along with using polymer clay and silver art clay,” Gee said.

Similar to Gee, Williams said she also joined the society because she is an artist.

“I paint and wanted to get acquainted with other artists,” Williams said, adding she mostly uses oils in her artwork.

Williams said the society members plan to develop more events after the fall festival.

“We’re excited about the fall festival, but we are also a little nervous because it is our first event,” Williams said.

Next year, Williams said she hopes the society is even bigger after members develop more contacts within the area.

Creating the society
Mary Penn, an assistant in the children’s department at the library, said she contacted artists who answered yes to starting a fine arts society on their application for the show.

Gee said about 35 members have attended the society’s monthly meetings.

“We meet at 6:30 p.m. on the first Tuesday of the month at either the library’s meeting or study room,” Gee said.

Gee said, the following officers were recently appointed: Connie Williams, president; Shannon Alig, vice-president; Debbie Stark, secretary; and Vicki Gustafson, treasurer.

“Anybody interested in art can join the society,” Gee said. “It’s not just for artists.”
Applications for joining the fine arts society are available on the Washington Chamber of Commerce Web site, www.washingtoncoc.com, or by contacting either Gee at 444-4887 or Williams at 444-5120.

“We’re just getting started and had our first meeting in November,” Williams said.

Williams said there are two meetings each month, with the apANGELlo, or show-and-tell social and business meeting the first Tuesday of the month and a board meeting later in the month.

In the board meeting, Williams said the board of directors is working on developing the society’s by-laws.