PLEIN AIR PAINTING
A new season of plein air is coming up.  To all those planning to attend, pack your tools of trade and something to sit on. We recommend you include a hat, sun screen, bug spray and water.

June 2 (Wed.) Country Club Of Wilbraham / Meadow Mist Farm
Meet: 9:OO A.M. On site, in the Club parking lot. (Meadow Mist is next door, offering a choice of subject matter.)
Lunch: Optional, at the Country Club
Rain-Date: Jun. 16

July 7 (Wed.) Poet's Seat
Mountain Park, Greenfield, MA
Meet: 8:30 A.M. Crane Park Parking Lot*
Lunch: Mesa Verde (1 mile from site)
Rain-Date: Jul. 21

Aug. 4 (Wed.) Stanley Park (Chinese Garden/Tea House)
400 Western Ave., Westfield, MA
Meet: 9:00 A.M. Crane Park Parking Lot
Lunch: (to be decided)
Rain-Date: Aug. 18

Sep. 1 (Wed.) Dean Pond (Brimfield State Forest)
Monson, MA
Meet: 9:00 A.M. Crane Park Parking Lot
Lunch: On site - bring picnic lunch
Rain-Date: Sep. 15
Clean restrooms

*Time change is due to almost an hour of travel which I don't really like myself, but I believe it will be worth it.

For our newcomers, Crane Park is the same road as the Wilbraham Library, instead of bearing left, just go straight into the parking lot. We will carpool from there or you may prefer to drive your own car.......this is fine too. We will wait up to 15 min. for those who signed up.

Please direct any questions or ideas to Sue Tosh [pleinair@wilbrahamartleague.org]

SOCIAL ART
Social Art will continue to meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays from 1pm to 3 pm unless there is a conflict on the Senior Center schedule.   When the main meeting room is being used for a Senior Center program, such as a lunch or other activity, WAL Social Art will be in the North Room at the other end of the hall.  That room has carpeting, but we can use it for Social Art if we put down protective covering on the floor.  The dates for March are as follows:

March 10  and March 24

This is a time to get together and do art, painting or whatever any of you may want to do, drawing, pastels, jewelry making, etc. It's held in the same room where the meetings are. Tables & chairs will be available. Bring your own snacks. Come as often as you can. If you just want to exchange ideas or talk about new techniques, you can do that and leave your art stuff at home. This will be a way for us to get to know each other better.  If you can't come each time, that's ok. If nobody is there yet, just go on in the room. The Senior Center expects us.  Stop in and join the group!

OTHER ACTIVITIES

WILBRAHAM FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY SPRING BUS TRIP  The Berkshire Bonanza to the Francine Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA will be followed by lunch at the Williams Inn.  The afternoon includes a visit to the Williams College Art Museum or the Williamstown Shoppes.   
The Clark special exhibits include Giovanni Boldini - Impressionists in Paris and Frederick Remington - Landscapes of the Mind and Mocha Dick. 
This event will take place on Tuesday, April 20, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.  The cost is $50 for WFL members and $60 for non-members.  Applications are available at the library.  Deadline is March 30th.

BOOKMARKS FOR FRIENDS OF THE WILBRAHAM LIBRARY
The Friends of the Library would really appreciate bookmarks that have been created by the artists of WAL.  Funds raised by selling the bookmarks at the library will go to the Friends of the Library.  The sale of our bookmarks continues to raise needed funds.  Thank you to those who contribute.  Members can donate 2” by 6” bookmarks using light cardstock (no more than 80 lbs.) that will be laminated by the Wilbraham Library.  Please put your name on each bookmark.  There are samples of bookmarks at the circulation desk in the library.  Kris suggested making sets of 6 bookmarks for laminating purposes.  Bookmarks can be left at the circulation desk in an envelope with Heidi Kane’s name on them.  Thanks.

BAYSTATE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NEEDS ARTISTIC DONATIONS  Baystate Children's Hospital in Springfield, MA is extending a request for proposals to regional artists for permanent gifts of art to enhance various pediatric inpatient and outpatient areas. 
You can find information and forms for sending in to the hospital on the Baystate Children's Hospital website under BCH News, "Call to Artists" at baystatehealth.org/bch.  Or you can call Susan Fontaine at 413-794-7630 for further information. 
This is a wonderful opportunity to make a difference in the lives of critically ill or injured children and their families by creating clinical environments that are bright, captivating and friendly.
The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2010.