Gateway Decorative Artists meet in Maryland Heights Community Center. We are presently a group of approximately 70 members. Our chapter was formed in May, 1974. Like the National Society, Chapter members are dedicated to stimulating interest in and appreciation for the art of decorative painting. Members vary in experience from novice painters to accomplished teachers but all share a love of tole and decorative painting. Our chapter is composed of members from St. Louis and surrounding areas of Missouri and Illinois.

Meetings

Chapter meetings are usually held on the second Sunday of February, April, June, September and November at Maryland Heights Community Center,2344 McKelvey Rd, Maryland Heights, MO. at 1:00 p.m. Following a brief business meeting there is usually an educational program, demonstration or paint-in. We also have an Idea Exchange table, where members show items they have painted recently at home, seminars or conventions. Future seminars are also announced and registration for them begins.

Other Activities
The Chapter sponsors an annual painting retreat for a 3-4 day weekend in October held in conjunction with the National Tole & Decorative Painters week. Many talented teachers teach classes. Other activities at the retreat include demonstrations, make-it & take-its, trade show and theme parties.

Additionally, the Chapter plans Community Service Projects and charitable events throughout the year. We have:

  • painted two 50' hallways for the St. Louis Crisis Centers
  • made sizable donations of time, money and provided various sundry items for a local Women and Children's Abuse Center
  • been involved with the restoration of the Forest Park Highlands Carousel Campaign
  • been a major contributor of funds to the Decorative Arts Collection (an organization to record and preserve the heritage of our art form for the benefit of all members of the Society of Decorative Painters and future generations.
  • Over 4000 memory boxes have been painted for beravement programs in hospitals nationwide.

For several years Gateway Chapter sponsored an Artists Holiday House Boutique that was held in a local builder's display home. Participating chapter members filled the home with a wide variety of hand painted items for sale to the public. A portion of the proceeds was donated to our chosen charity for the year.

An annual Christmas party is held and members exchange hand-painted ornaments.
National Conventions

Painters from around the world gather to share ideas and study with many talented teachers who are dedicated to education and the promotion of Tole and decorative painting. The 2003 convention was held in Indianapolis, IN. Mini conventions are also planned in several cities throughout the year. The 2004 convention was held in Phoenix, AZ and 2005 convention was held in Tampa, FL. 2006 convention was in Nashville, TN and the 2007 convention was in Anaheim, CA. Information on these can be found in the Decorative Painter.

Future Conventions:
May 27- 31, 2008 - Tampa, FL
June 9 - 13, 2009 - To be Announced
2010 - To be Announced
May 31 - June 4, 2011 - To be Announced
2012- Nashville, TN

The Decorative Painter

This is the official publication of the Society of Decorative Painters. This quality magazine is published six times a year and contains 40-50 lessons. A variety of ideas, techniques and mediums to fit the needs and likes of everyone are featured in each issue. The magazine is a benefit of membership in the Society of Decorative Painters.

Gateway Decorative Artists Newsletter

A benefit of local membership is an interesting and informative newsletter. It serves to keep chapter members informed of seminars and other activities.

National Membership

The $40 ($45 if paid after Dec. 1) annual membership in the Society of Decorative Painters entitles one to six issues of The Decorative Painter and the right to attend and participate in the annual National Convention.

To join the National Society, fill out the form under Membership Info and mail with a check (payable to SDP) to:

SDP
393 N. McLean Blvd.
Wichita, KS 67203

Local Membership
The $20.00 annual membership in Gateway Decorative Artists entitles one to receive five informative newsletters, the local membership directory and the right to participate in all local chapter activities. National Society membership is required of all local chapter members. To join the local chapter, fill out the form under Membership Info and mail with a check (payable to Gateway Decorative Artists) to:

Jo Lynn Lair
106 Cooper Ave.
East Alton, Il, 62024
membership@gatewaydecorativeartists.com


Accomplishments


Each year the Chapter gets better and better. We have a number of accomplishments that the Board is proud of and that you as members should feel very good about it. They are briefly summarized below. In order to keep the list short, the names of members responsible for each of accomplishments were not included. They have been noted in previous meetings and printed in the newsletters.

The 2007 Chapter Year

Activities

  • March - Lynne Deptula Acrylic Seminar
  • June - Janelle Johnson Colored Pencil Seminar
  • August - Linda Coulter Grisaille Seminar
  • October - Our annual retreat "Palette of Seasons"
  • Memory Boxes paint-in every month.
  • 6 chapters meetings with 5 paint-ins or demonstrations:
    • February - Painting on Leaves with Karen Steiner
    • April - Grape on a Green Wine Bottle Taught by Ellen Rohne CDA
    • June - "Summer De-light" Oil rouging technique on watercolor taught by Cindy Rupp
    • September - Auction
    • November - Cute Ornament with Judy Dodson
    • December - Christmas party

Charitable Donation

  • We donated $ 100 to the DAC (Decorative Arts Collection).
  • We painted and donated memory boxes.
  • We collected and donated supplies and cash donation for Turning Point Women Shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Outstanding

  • Ellen Rohne won the Third Place at Hoot in the category "Professional Still Life"
  • Gateway Decorative Artists won contests on Tolefriends.net for the Memory Boxes.

The 2006 Chapter Year

Activities

  • January - Workshop with Gloria Falk
  • March - Peggy Harris seminar.
  • April - Workshop with Vada Galvan
  • June - Janelle Johnson colored pencil seminar
  • October - Our annual retreat "Boot Scootin".
  • 6 chapters meetings with 5 paint-ins or demonstrations:
    • February - GDA logo with Ellen Rohne.
    • April - ''paper-bag'' Memory book with Ginger German.
    • July - ''Doorknob dangler'' by Kay Vuichard with the help of Mary Jo Kumer.
    • September - Memory boxes with Gloria Falk and Suzanne Glidden.
    • November - Snowman Ornament with Judy Dodson.
    • December - Christmas party

Charitable Donation

  • We donated $ 100 to the DAC (Decorative Arts Collection).
  • We painted and donated 602 memory boxes.
  • We collected and donated around $ 3033.32 in supplies and cash donation for Turning Point Women Shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.

Outstanding

  • Ellen Rohne recieved her CDA (Certified Decorative Artist) certification at the SDP National convention in Nashville.
  • Jenny Ellision achieved her Girl Scout Gold Award with the memory box program.
  • Allison Bacon won the First place at ''Hoot'' in the category ''Fruit and Still Life''
  • We received 2006 Chapter Achievement Award from SDP.

The 2005 Chapter Year

Activities

  • January- Workshop with Bobbie Gray.
  • March - Maureen McNaughton seminar.
  • July - Mary Kingslan Gibilisco seminar.
  • August - Delta Fun Day won by Vada Galvan.
  • October - Our annual retreat "Gone with the Brush".
  • 5 chapters meetings with 4 paint-ins :
    • February - Hearts on fabric with Cheryll Wilburn.
    • April - Roses on picture frame with Gloria Falk.
    • June - Memory Boxes program with Debbie Christenson.
    • November - Ornaments with Jeanne Abraham and Mary Jane Jett.

Charitable Donation

  • We donated $ 500 to the DAC (Decorative Arts Collection).
  • We purchased a special brick as a donation to the DAC in memory of Marianne McLafferty, a former chapter member who had passed away.
  • We collected 277 books for the USO.
  • We painted and donated 175 memory boxes.
  • We collected and donated around $ 136 in cleaning supplies, $ 350 in other merchandise and $50 in cash/checks for Turning Point Shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual abuse.
  • We donated $ 500 to Baptist benevolent fund to help people effected by Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana.

Outstanding

  • Gloria Falk, Vada Galvan, Marilyn McDonald and Joan love have been chosen to have their book ornament hung on the Christmas tree at the Library of Congress.
  • We received 2005 Chapter Achievement Award from SDP.


    •

    The 2004 Chapter Year

    Activities

    • April- Sherry Nelson Seminar October-
    • Our Retreat "Meet Me in St.Louis.
    • 5 excellent meetings with Paint-ins:
      • February - Glass Painting with Kay Waldron.
      • April - Gifts of Love (Gifts bags & Boxes) with Bobbie Gray CDA.
      • June - Garden Painting - Jan Rosenburg & Kathy Colter
      • September - Makes-It & Take-Its
      • December - Christmas Ornament with Barb Ogden.

    Donations

  • We painted filled with toys and donated around 100 Christmas Stockings.
  • $75.00 in school supplies was collected and donated to four charities.
  • We painted and donated more than 242 memory boxes
  • We donated $ 100 to the DAC (Decorative Arts Collection).

    • Outstanding

    • We received 2004 Chapter Achievement Award from SDP.
    • We received certificate in honor and recognition of our 30th years as an SDP affiliated chapter.
    • Carolyn Bacon and Gloria Falk had their painted ornaments selected for the White House Christmas tree.
    • Vada Galvan won First Place in her category for the Delta Painting Challenge

    Miscellaneous

    We made over $ 500 from the Auction at the convention.

    The 2003 Chapter Year

    Two outstanding seminars were sponsored:

    • Mary Kingslan Gibilisco seminar in March
    • Rosemary West seminar in August
    • Two sharing workshops with Barb Ogden & Deb Christenson
    • Four excellent Chapter meeting paint-in sessions were taught by various talented members.

    Charitable Donations

    • We donated $1463 to the Women’s Center.
    • We donated $100 to the DAC (Decorative Arts Collection).
    • We purchased a special brick as a donation to the National Society of Decorative Painters. One engraved for our Gold Brush Award Winner – Deb Christenson
    • We had suitcase paint-ins that yielded us with 101 to give away.
    • We painted and donated 106 Memory Boxes.
    • We collected 63 wonderful Easter Baskets for Shriners Hospital.
    • We collected 84 Teddy Bears for Shriners Hospital.
    Tole Month
    We had an outstanding October Tole Month Celebration that included our Annual Retreat.

    Miscellaneous

    • In 2003, we had a booth at the Working Woman's Survival Show in St. Louis.
    • We made $892 at the SDP convention's silent auction for chapter.
    We thank each and every member who helped to make the Year 2003 such a successful and fun year.