TRADE ALLEY ART GALLERY

Minutes for Membership Meeting on 11-10-2025

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-In attendance: Elliott, Barb, Bob D, Cindy, Darren, Amy (representing McHughs), Karin, Loretta (representing 3 sisters), Peggy, Dan/Lise, Rose Mary, Ken, Anne, Chuck, Tyrone, Darren, Tim, Carrie

--Not in attendance: Randy, Scott, Tracy, Bob H, Billy Schumann, Chad, Don McHugh, Thelma, Marie

* there was some talk of signage before the official start of the meeting.  I have moved that information to the Logo section.

Official Meeting Start: 6:07

Financials

Budget: $3900

Ending Balance (in checking): $11,551

Reserve: ~$11, 000

Gross sales for this quarter: $14, 216

Sales may have been boosted due to the 2 competitions and the Art Crawl.

Receipt and forms issues

There are continuing problems with filling out the sales tickets and the sales form in the binder.  Discussion about why it happens and what to do about it.  It is different people on different days.

Elliott volunteered to come in a day for anyone to have a refresher course, but it was mentioned that the people who have issues probably don’t know they are doing it incorrectly.

It was noted that instructions are in the binders, and if people know they need more training, to come in during another member’s day—perhaps when it’s busier.

Suggested that Darren take note of issues when he is reconciling the receipts and contact the person/s privately to let them know.

All agreed that new people may need more training, since they may work a day that gets few sales. 

--Chuck brought up a digital, point of sale, solution using an iPad and barcodes.  He said it would eliminate having to keep an inventory sheet. The cost would be approximately:

$450 initial start-up

$80 a month fee

Discussion ensued of the difficulties or perceived difficulties to implementing and training people on such a system.

To clear up confusion, it was suggested to Chuck that he write up a synopsis of the system and the process needed by the gallery and individuals to use such a system.  He agreed.

 

 

Membership

• Pam Piper has left gallery.  

• Tim Boyd is moving to consignment.

• Gregg George has left the gallery.

• Dan Smith is the newest member.

In the current state, there will be 3 blank walls available for rent in the next rotation.

--Due to the many changes in membership, the cash box code and the website membership page code will be updated. 

 

Logo Change

--window logo, entry banner, and business cards are complete.

It was determined that a sign could be put under the windows of Gallery 2 that would be visible from all directions on the street.  This alleviates the need for a complicated mechanism to hang something on top of the awning.

Some discussion about the size of the sign and whether the logo should be incorporated or not.

Membership was assured that the signage will be presented for consideration, comment, and approval before ordering anything.

Events

CVCC student show

Cindy has been in contact with the CVCC art director person—Jeff.

He believes approximately 40 students will wish to participate.  Art will be hung in the Art of the Moment space and perhaps the slot wall opposite. (If it ends up being more or more space is needed, then adding additional dates will be discussed.)

Art will be: 

12x12 birch panels, 2D panels (digital, photo, and drawing) and some 3D panels that incorporate 3D designs, such as from the ceramic studio.

Photos of some the artwork will be sent next week to Cindy for review.

Dates: 

--Delivery of art, November 28th-29th

--Show opens, December 2nd

—Reception, December 18th from 6pm-8pm.

• All student work will be sold at a flat $100

• A 20% commission will be retained by Trade Alley for any sales.

• Ribbon awards will be given.

CVCC will do some publicity.  Will make cards announcing the event for the students to hand out.

Volunteers will be needed.

The Sign-up email from Karin should go out at the beginning of December.

NO ALCOHOL will be served at this event.  (For the ease and protection of Trade Alley)

This event was discussed as being important to encourage future artists.  It’s worthy of the gallery’s mission and will also gain us exposure.

--Elliott spoke of his employer, Bernhardt Furniture sponsoring a competition and subsequent traveling art exhibition where the company would package and ship the exhibition to whomever wanted to host it.  It was very successful.  His thought is this CVCC event might blossom into something more.

 

Sip and Shop

Date:  December 21st from 12-6pm.  

It will coincide with the Jazz Society concert next door at Tasteful Beans.

Volunteers will be needed.

Barb has taken care of wrapping for gifts.

A table for work $50 or under is set up, as are trees for ornament display.  The artist may put their own work on these displays.  

 

Cookie Crawl

Bob D. signed the gallery up to be part of the Hickory Cookie Crawl on Saturday, Dec. 6th.  This is a city event that sells tickets.  Nothing for the gallery to do except have cookies ready.  Cookies should be handed out at the counter to encourage people to enter the gallery. 

It was determined Anne would be working that Saturday.

 

Publicity

Cindy has arranged for a realtor/mortgage company owner, (Joshua McDowell), who does advertising called, 360-degree Hickory, to come to the gallery on the 18th of November (Tuesday at 10am) to film the gallery and speak to someone online about the gallery.  Chad and Carrie agreed to be there.  This is at no charge to the gallery.

The footage will most likely be presented on his website and maybe his MLS listings.

--Gallery brochures will be reworked and should be ready by the first of the year.  They are usually produced 100 at a time and have many uses such as being sent with competition sponsorship letters, handed out at art events to potential new members, and given to other businesses to promote us.

 

 

Photo Competition update

Barb and Rose Mary to meet in the coming week.  Competition will likely be in the middle of March.  Tentative: March 16th -April 4th.

 

Design/Gallery update

Gallery will get ready for the holiday season and upcoming events as needed.

Please contribute to cleaning and upkeep of gallery when you work.

• Dusting

• Vacuuming

• Refilling items (Across from the fridge, there’s a key on a red ribbon that is for the facilities like the paper towel holder.)

New tags with the new logos are available.  Please use ink and no markers or sharpies.

New business cards available as well.

There’s a new electric leaf blower by the electric panel.  But be careful.  It’s powerful.

 

Hours of Operation and Calendar

Losses in membership creates challenges to the calendar—no floaters for the occasional 5th week.  

The loss of two full time members has left days needing to be filled. November 25th and two days in December. Calendars were handed out and (I think) these days were filled by members present.

 Elliott will post the calendars in the gallery and Karin will post it on the website.  

Members who switch days with each other must make those changes in pencil on the gallery’s paper calendar.  Elliott will not digitally make those changes.

Much discussion on changes of hours and days to the gallery.  The fall-out was:

• In general—keep the 10am-5pm hour system.  

1.Seasonal hours of 11-4 are too confusing to the customer.

2.Going to 10-6 is not going to make a huge difference in sales, and it is dangerous for some people to be alone at the gallery after dark and having to walk to their car.

• Extended seasonal hours will continue until the new year.  Both Thursday evenings, and the addition of Sundays 12pm-3pm.  Most of these extra hours were volunteered for at the meeting.

***BECAUSE OF THE MANY MEMBER CHANGES OF LATE, BOTH THE LOCK BOX CODE AND THE WEBSITE MEMBER PAGE CODE WERE CHANGED AS FOLLOWS:

 

LOCK BOX CODE: 2-4-6-8

WEBSITE MEMBER PAGE CODE: 2525

 

Dan Smith was introduced to all the members.

It was noted that the full-time gallery members stand at 13 men and 10 women.  But the men are still the minority. :-D

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:32

 

Happy Thanksgiving, y’all!

Carrie