Art Doll Club?

The art group that I belonged to did coffee, tea, and snacks. (You would be amazed at how people looked forward to a cookie and cup of tea). Everyone would bring a little something.

They also did a raffle at each meeting where people contributed little bits of their work as the prizes.

There was also a list of names, addresses, phone numbers so that the members could stay in touch in between meetings.

When it came to a yearly anniversary, they would meet at a restaurant.

At different meetings different people would offer to demonstate their craft. For example, I do French Beaded Flowers (among other things) so one time I demonstated that.

Each meeting would have one 'speaker' who would talk about their art.

Art groups are great fun!

 

@Cat ^..^ How did you find your art group? Now you have me wondering if I can find one to join.

 

I found the group (which is very large and very active) by a friend (who is a fabulous artist, she paints murals) saying to me, "What do you mean you don't belong to The Guild? The Guild is all of the best artists on the island. YOU are one of THE BEST ARTISTS on the island! You need to join The Guild. You will love it."

And she explained to me that The Guild met once a month at its home public library. The library had a very large public meeting room. The Guild had potters, glass workers, jewelers, book makers, (me, with the dolls!), beaders, weavers, just everything.

They also would trade old magazines and books.

The Guild is a real non-profit organization with a board of directors that is elected by the members.

Also during each meeting, the groups would take a bit of time to split into their "interest groups". Different interest groups would be tracking where the gallery shows were and exchange contact information on the galleries.

The Guild also put on its own shows in the town's public parks.

The fee for membership was $35 a year.

Members would also organize outings to their individula studios and even hold private classes (which were typically free. All you had to do was show up.)

You can search on-line for art groups in your area.

You can also ask artists who are participating in art shows, say, in the town park, "Do you belong to any specail art groups? How did you find out about the art show in the park?"

Here is the website for The Guild:
Long Island Craft Guild – Dedicated to the Creation and Exhibition of Fine Craft

 

@Cat ^..^ Thanks for all the information! There are some art galleries near where I live so I can inquire there!

 

jessholy, you are welcome! The art supply stores also might know of any groups.

 

I'd love to join one and share my knowledge and learn some new stuff.

 

I do not know how many people are familiar with the UFDC. The UFDC is the United Federation of Doll Clubs. It is the largest organization of doll clubs in the United States.

Welcome to the World of Doll Collecting! | United Federation of Doll Clubs

It consists of individual doll clubs. So what you could do is: Start a doll club in your area and join the UFDC.

Or, if you do not want to start a club of your own, you can join the UFDC as a "member at large". The membership fee also includes their magazine (which is pretty nice).

The BUT to all of this is: BUT you are not guaranteed that the people you will be associating with through the UFDC will all be BJD lovers. BJD lovers have typically been more loosely organized. Hence, the BJD shows and BJD meet-ups. UFDC events include all types of dolls, not just BJDs.