The Decorative Folk Artist Issue 120 | Page 6

The Annual General Meeting OK, so not exactly exciting, but this year’s meeting was interesting, and productive. Read all about it in the pdf at the end of this link … Minutes of the AGM For all those who are not going to plough through the minutes (I know it will be hard to resist) the important news is: a) b) c) d) The dates of next year’s convention will be Friday 5 June 2020 to Sunday 7 June 2020 The location of next year’s convention will be Ibis Hotel, Rugby East (Crick) The main teacher for the event will be Prudy Vannier To qualify for members special rates at the 2020 convention, paid-up membership of BADFA will have happened on or before 1 December 2019. e) Due to the success of this year’s all British event, we will alternate guest teachers - one year British, one year international. So for 2021 we will have an all British event. f) We welcome new committee members, Clare Holmes (originally co-opted), and Vanessa Cooper. Both are experienced teachers with their own studios, and we look forward to working with them. g) In support of d) above we will be looking at teacher development sessions to encourage and help those who are, or would like teach classes - more of this in a future newsletter. h) Last year’s nominated charity, Breast Cancer Awareness, will receive £180 from BADFA funds. i) The nominated charity for 2019/2020 is Luna’s Fund - Love and Unity for Neonates and Stillborns. See below. Luna’s Fund We are 24 & 26 year old first time parents, Aimee & Ryan Conroy who have set up a charity in memory of our beautiful daughter, Luna Valentina Conroy who was born sleeping on the 29/11/2017 at home under her Christmas tree. As a result of our experience, we felt compelled to embark upon a new journey, something we could channel all of our love and energy into on behalf of our Luna Bear. Luna’s Fund launched on 1st March 2018, a charity designed to help future bereaved parents as we felt there was an uncomfortable  lack of aftercare on offer. Therefore our charity’s aim is to offer an array of services  for families to use, in order to create new memories & to look forward to their future, their ‘new normal.’ We have constructed these ideas based on our own experience of what we would have loved to have been offered at the time; a lifeline. We hope our services can soften the grieving process and relieve the pressure and stress lives of the bereaved even just a little bit. Find Luna’s Fund at https://lunasfund.com Sad News - one of our founder members, Maggie Curtis, passed away recently. Many will have fond memories of Maggie. She encouraged painters to join BADFA (she got me to join) to expand their painting skills. Maggie arranged for many 'big brushes' to visit the UK, including Vicky Nicholson who came and taught from north to south also in the middle, many times. Maggie was a passionate folk art painter and an excellent sharing teacher. I was lucky to attend some of her classes and she taught me the trials and tribulations of floating and stroke work. Although she hadn't taught for a number of years she left the legacy of her skills to her pupils. Sharon