More shots Yvette sent--Thanks.

Ashley makes her presentation

Ashley, Jeanne and Yvette

Yvette shows portraits

Art Scholars Help FOTA Kick Off Another Year of Fundraising

Art Scholars Help FOTA Kick Off Another Year of Fundraising

The Friends of the Arts (“FOTA”) held the first meeting of the 2014-15 season at Ginger Cove. The year’s slated trips were presented by Trip Chair, Gail Olmstead. Planned visits include: The Mitchell Gallery in October; a November trip to galleries in Easton, Maryland; and a Spring sculpture tour of Washington, D.C.

As part of their scholarship requirements, the recipients of the 5^th Annual FOTA Scholar award, Ashley Lim, a junior at MICA; and Yvette Yu, a sophomore at UMD-College Park delighted and impressed the Friends with presentations of their approaches and their outstanding art works. Don Dement, Gail Higginbotham and Richard Niewerth were the jurors for this year’s entrants.  

Fund-raising for the 6^th FOTA Scholar will include the March, 2015 Cards and Games Party and, coming up, the sale of evening purses and hand-painted silk scarves at the upcoming Annual Fall Festival, Sunday, September 21, 2014, along Maryland Avenue and State Circle, from 10-5.

FOTA has been fundraising for the arts for over 35 years. Its meetings and trips are on the second Tuesday from September through June and its members invite anyone who would like to learn more about trips or membership to contact Membership Secretary Aileen Thomas at 410 266-8784, e-mail Friendsofthearts@excite.com, or write FOTA, Box 4635 Eastport, Md 21403. Visit our blog, http://fota-friendsofthearts.blogspot.com/. 

Photos by Donna F. Rhody

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2014 FOTA Scholars Ashley Lim, Glen Burnie; and Yvette Yu, Laurel

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Friends Ellenor Alvarez, Arnold; Tony Fry; Harriet Sierer; and Amante Carlquist, all of Annapolis

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Friends Mary Melvin, Bets Ryan, Aileen Thomas of Annapolis; and Bess Sharland, Crofton

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Recording Secretary Dinah Little;  Jane Lunney; Mary Lou Alison; and Treasurer Annette Uroskie, all of Annapolis

FOTA Fundraising Continues

The Friends of the Arts (“FOTA”) will be selling hand-painted silk scarves and evening purses at the upcoming Annual Fall Festival, Sunday, September 21, 2014, along Maryland Avenue and State Circle, from 10-5.

The proceeds will be applied to the FOTA Scholar program awarding scholarships to two Anne Arundel County residents who are full-time art students at accredited Maryland Colleges.

The 2013-14 FOTA Scholars are Ashley Lim, a junior at MICA; and Yvette Yu, a sophomore at UMD-College Park. Don Dement, Gail Higginbotham and Richard Niewerth were the jurors for this year’s entrants.  

To learn more about the FOTA Scholar requirements, e-mail fotascholar@gmail.com, or write FOTA Scholar, Box 4635, Eastport, Md 21403. Visit our blog, http://fota-friendsofthearts.blogspot.com/. 

[FOTA090914FallFestival] FOTA President Jeanne Shaw and Event Chair Joan Dreissen, both of Annapolis, with scarves and purses.

FOTA Picnic - June 17, 2014

The Friends of the Arts celebrated another season of art with a picnic at the beautiful home of founder Aileen Thomas’s daughter Laurie Dean.  Co-hosting the event were Mary Melvin, Jane Lunney, Dinah Little and Aileen Thomas. Next year’s officers were named: President, Jeanne Shaw; Vice-President, Joan Machinchick; Treasurer, Annette Uroskie; Recording Secretary, Dinah Little; and Corresponding Secretary, Donna Rhody.

FOTA Scholar Chair, Gibby Edson announced the winners of this year’s competition:  Ja Hyun Lim, a sophomore at MICA; and Yiqi Yu, also a sophomore at UMD-College Park. She also introduced guest, Don Dement who, with Gail Higginbotham and Richard Niewerth, was one of the 2013-14 FOTA Scholar jurors.  The FOTA Scholars will do a presentation of their works at the September 9, 2014 meeting.

Friend Grace Stark will curate an exhibit of FOTA artists’ works at Ginger Cove on August 2, 2014. The exhibit will be open to FOTA members and their families. And, the special Barbara Award for extraordinary service to FOTA was presented to Joan Driessen. 

Scholar Juror Don Dement and Friend Gibby Edson    

Anne Kraemer; Marie Cushing; Amante Carlquist; new member Shirley St. Martin

Friend Mary Ellen McGrath with her guests
Betty Ann Jeffery and Doris Gomoljak, and Friend Founder Aileen Thomas 

Friends Kathy McGilvrey, Ellenor Alavarez, Terry Adams, 

Barbara DiCenso and Joan Driessen

From Mary Ellen McGrath

Gibby Edson presents Pres. Jeanne Shaw with a wise gift

As Dinah takes notes

June 7 & 8, 2014 - Annapolis Arts, Crafts and Wine - From Joan Driessen and Friends

Barbara Winner and co-event chair Joan Driessen "womans" the booth

Just a few of the beautiful scarves

Joan's Favorite Customer

Future Friends, Amy, Kara and Kimberley

A Successful 2014 Cards and Games Party

Aileen Thomas fills snack cups 

while Ruth James and Bets Ryan get ready for guests. Wonderful volunteers have the tables set with colorful clothes and card-playing materials.

 Jeanne Shaw stands next to the silent auction table. Annette Uroskie and Joan Machinchick "woman" one of the stands of FOTA-designed scarves. Another table of gently-used scarves. We earned almost $700 in scarf sales.

Robin Wallace, Mary Patane, Claire Sokolowski and Ellenor Alvares "woman" the kitchen.

Ward Anderson, Sharon Chappell, Linda Elliott and Barb Cole are part of a duplicate group.

Lesley Younes, Regina Novotny, Deb Kimball and Babs Kolker move their weekly Mah Jongg game.

Jean Wagner, Lynn Hansen, Rona Greenberg and Violet O'Malley are part of another duplicate group.