It is with gratitude that the members of Geneva Lake Arts Foundation celebrate the ten years of service given by Nicholette Marsicano. Her presidency will be remembered by the countless hours that she devoted to GLAF. We look forward to enjoying her as a fellow member of the group that she was instrumental in forming for many years to come!
The following is a letter to send to GLAF members in January, 2025:
Dear Members,
Today I end my Geneva Lake Arts Foundation presidency. The past ten years have been both a pleasure and a challenge. GLAF over the years has faced many challenges, but with the support of our membership we have flourished and grown. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all that our present and past members have done to support GLAF. I wish I could name you all and mention all you have done for GLAF but this letter would be pages.
As president, I was blessed to be mentored in the first years by the two previous presidents of Geneva Lake Art Association ( GLAA), Carol Smith and Jeanne Dyer. Jeanne along with Sandy Kessell filled out the 40+page application for non profit status and worked together with our attorney. Within six months we were notified by the IRS of our acceptance as a 501c3. It was our membership that voted to become a 501c3, investigate a new location, and to accept our 223 Broad Street location.
One favorite memory will always be our gallery move from Main Street to our current location. We allotted three days for this move -with the help of our members we moved in three hours. Our chair rack was pushed down two alleys and our glass cases traveled in a padded wagon down Main Street. Our goal was to be open by February 1 in time for Winterfest. Again our members voted on a budget for new flooring,lighting and a hanging system. Our members labored to sand and paint the interior,add the hanging system and build a partial wall and our center partitions. Along came a new gallery name, logo, signage and much more. We did open Gallery 223 on February 1 on schedule thanks again to our members.
Although we had various challenges along the way, our greatest challenge was in 2020 when the COVID 19 pandemic temporarily shut our doors and threatened to cancel Art in the Park. Without funds from AITP we would be unable to keep our new gallery. Again the generosity of members and our landlord helped us. Our Board of Directors voted to proceed with AITP. Following many guidelines-facemasks, sanitizing stations etc. and working with a crew of about 20 GLAF volunteers we were able to succeed.
Throughout the years we continue to expand and improve our programs and facility. When a problem or challenge arose my prayers were answered by a member or board members. I have been blessed to have so many wonderful people to support me.
When I was laid up for a Summer from ankle surgery, I was fortunate to have Vice President Gary Wigman step in to take over.I have counted my blessings to have Sarah McConnell as my Vice President to be there to share ideas. My very special thanks to those who have given their time and talents to serve on our Board of Directors. Your sacrifices and support have made decisions easier to make, and new ideas to become realities.All the many things you do behind the scenes are often not acknowledged enough. We are blessed to have an ever evolving website thanks to Linda Oeffling. To all the past and present members and board members I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You will all hold a special place in my heart. I will continue to be active as coordinator for Ivolunteer and Art Mentoring.
In a few hours we welcome our new 2025 board of directors and officers- With deepest gratitude, I wish all the best to President Sarah McConnell, Vice President Robin Vail, Treasurer Julie Sarton,. Secretary Claudette McShane and board members Eileen Streu (membership,marketing) , Pam Ring, Zibby Szalewski and Sybil Klug (Out of Gallery exhibits). GLAF is so fortunate to have you all to lead them. So sadly I'm saying goodbye as president and wishing you all a Happy, Healthy, and Joyous 2025! Thanks again for all you do.
Sincerely,
Nikki Marsicano 2024 GLAF President
Comments