This year marks the 75 anniversary of the Valley Art Assoc. The first meeting was held October 14, 1938 by 11 local artist who were interested in having a show at the newly built Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. To have the show they needed to be a formal organization and so our early club was formed with the name "THE SOCIETY of HAGERSTOWN ARTISTS". The name was changed to the "HAGERSTOWN ART CLUB" IN 1948 and was then change again to our current name "VALLEY ART ASSOCIATION" in 1983. After forming the club and having our first show in 1938 at the Museum, we still continue that tradition with our annual VAA Museum show. We started to meet at the Museum for monthly meetings shortly after forming the club and continued this tradition until 1991 when we found our current home.. The VAA currently has over 100 members , 27 gallery members, with artist ranging from the novice to the experienced professional. Our gallery has become a place were the local residents as well as those who travel to our fair city can come to enjoy viewing our paintings and decorative arts as well as purchase these treasures, with some being repeat clients. We are a very unique organization offering so much to our artist members and the people who visit us. We have continuing art classes , group painting sessions and many city sponsored events. All of this is done by our members who volunteer their precious time and talents.

It was noted that the builder of the Mansion House was the first artist born in Washington county, Mr John Heyser and I am sure he would be very happy to know his passion for art lives on in his Mansion on the Hill ( known at the time as "Cedar Lawn", named after the cedar trees on Virginia Avenue). His large painting of "John the Baptist" still graces the main hall gallery today and this year is the 200 year anniversary of his birth ,how appropriate. ...Continued on page 3.

For oil painter Michael Timothy Davis,art has always been a part of his life. As a child he copied his father's drawings. As a student at the Schuler School of fine arts in Baltimore, MD. he studied the old Masters through rigorous copying of their master works. After two and half years at this inspiring atelier and fours year earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts at Shepherd College, Michael was ready to venture forth. Michaels' work is influenced not only by the Dutch Old Masters, whose dark backgrounds and classic still life's are foundational, but also by Michaelangelo, John Singer Sargeant and the Norwegian contemporary realist, Odd Nerdrum. Michael's private study with Ben Summerford, the former art chairman at American University, had an influence on the importance of pure color and the role of a strong composition in his work.

Currently he is painting a series of small, simple, exquisitely detailed still lifes, figural works and portraits. Michael has exhibited in numerous solo and juried group shows on the East Coast including the Shanks Art Exhibit, Shepherd College, Art at the Mill as well as select fine art galleries. His work is in numerous collections across the United States. He also teaches oil painting and one of our members, Sue Parker, is one of his very lucky students!

An independent group of 12 regional artists (9 Valley Art Assoc members) have been invited to unite together in the woods at the home/studio of Elisabet Stacy-Hurley for a day of painting En Plein Air, while visitors can watch and learn. Visitors can come and see the artist most recent works of art that will be for sale and may find the paintings hanging on the fence or even on the trees. Also available for sale will be prints, photographs, note cards. and handmade pottery. Free admission and light refreshment are being offered.

Participating Artists are Eliane Ambrose, Margery Benson, Dennis Blalock, Denny Bingaman, Donna Bingaman, Becky Dietrich, Carol Gwin, Bob Schropp, Christine Souders, Elisabet Stacy-Hurley, Marjorie Tressler, Carol Wilks.

14 Springfield Lane, Williamsport, MD

VAA invited to outdoor painting day on the grounds of the park. We plan to go Tuesday, MAY 14, if rainy day, will try for Thursday May 16. Leaving Mansion House at 9am as group or if better for you, meet there. May take your lunch or order box lunch from Desert Rose Cafe to be delivered or take a break from painting and go Desert Rose Cafe on Potomac St. Williamsport.

MD Route 40 East, on right near Myersville, MD

VAA invited to outdoor painting day in the beautiful gardens. Many things and old buildings to paint too. We plan to go Tuesday, June 18, if rainy day, we will try Thursday, June 20. Leaving from Mansion House at 9am as a group or if better for you, meet us there. Large site to spread over. Take your lunch. PARK IN GRASS LEFT OF PARKING LOT IF WE GET TO GO ON JUNE 18. THEY HAVE LARGE GROUP COMING FOR GREENHOUSES THAT DAY.

Blues Festival day in park will be Sunday June 2. All VAA members are again invited to set-up on porch.

Wanted - A painting of the downtown square Christmas Tree. Contact Janie Moltrup.

Artist Registry - The Washington County Arts Council encourages all VAA members to sign artist registry at www.washingtoncountyarts.com/registered_ artwork.php

Museum Ramble - Saturday May 4 and Sunday May 5

The Dick Blick Ad has been temporarily removed from our web site. The ad will return as soon as Dick Blick signs on with a new affiliate network.

To the members of the VAA, we will be having our annual wall changing on Tuesday June 25 at 10:00 am. If you are interested in having a wall space to rent and if you would like to be placed on the list for a space or if you have any questions about being a gallery member please contact Marjorie Tressler at 717-762-6791

Make $25 checks payable to Valley Art Association and mail to: Donna Smith, Treasurer, Valley Art Association, 501 Highland Way, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Payment can be made at the June 26, 2013, Picnic.

Picnic Wednesday June 26 at 6 PM on Mansion House Porch. Sign up sheet on desk at Mansion House. Bring dish to share. Meat, drinks and paper supplies provided. Guests cost $5, paid to Donna Smith, Treasurer.

May will feature artist and new Mansion House Assistant Gallery Director, Carol Miller. Carol who also works in acrylic, is a very talented and accomplished artist with previous careers including Graphic Design, Weaving and Parenthood, etc. both here and in the New York/Vermont areas. She says that, "painting has called her again", and oh boy has she responded! She believes that acrylic is a perfect fit and every painting shows her what she can do rather than what she cannot do. Being retired now gives her "the time to play in her paint box" and it is apparent she is having fun!

She has been drawing, painting and designing since a child and that lead her to her art education and her BFA from the Philadelphia Museum College of Art (now known as the University of the Arts). Her color sense is wonderful, compositions interesting and her subjects are delightful, and it is very obvious I love her work. Please come to see this artist delightful work as well as meet with her Sunday May 5, from 2-4pm. Her show runs from Friday May 3 to Sunday May 26.

Next up in the North Gallery is an all member show for the months of June and July featuring paintings from the VAA membership. The name of the show is "FUN IN THE SUN" and suggested subjects are, summer colors, the sea shore, bathing beauties, boats, marine life, flowers etc. Along with this show is the annual miniature show featuring a variety of subjects. This show runs from Friday May 31 to Sunday July 28 with Sunday June 2 being the Blues Fest in the park. The deadline for submissions for the June/July show is Wed. May 29.

We are again inviting our artists to come and set up their artwork for sale and artists demos on the porch of the Mansion House on Sunday June 2 --from 11am to 5pm for the Blues Fest weekend.. Please contact Marjorie Tressler with any questions concerning this annual show.

Our next all member show will be titled "FALL HARVEST COLORS" this show will run from August 2 to September 29. Subjects may vary and could include any fall scene, harvest bounties, animals, but most of all COLOR! Deadline for the show is Wednesday, July 31 and starts Friday, August. 2.

For the month of October, is our very talented artist/member Donna Mitchell. This show runs from Friday Oct. 4 to Sunday Oct. 27. Reception Sunday October 6, 2-4pm.

Our featured artist in November is another VAA member Thom Tholen. Thom's show runs from Friday Nov. 1 to Sunday Nov. 24. Reception Sunday Nov. 3, 2-4pm

Our last show of the year is our annual Holiday/Winter Art Show, running for 2 months starting Friday, November 29 through Sunday, January 26 2014. The reception for this show will be our annual Christmas Tea held Sunday December 1, 2-4pm.

If you have any questions concerning the above shows, please contact Marjorie Tressler-email-marjorietressler@comcast.net or call 717-762-6791

A special thanks to Gail Cox for shampooing our very dirty carpets in the Mansion House Gallery, they look so nice.! This act of kindness and hard work by Gail is so very much appreciated and she and others like her keep our club running and the gallery looking great!

On another note, we are pleased to announce that we have two new members of the VAA as well as new gallery members. Jackie Shaw and Linda Twiet, are both potters and call themselves "Muddie Buddies". Their beautiful creations can be seen in the West Gallery, so please drop by to see their latest creations.

Marjorie Tressler, Mansion House Gallery Director.