ASOPA's First Charter Chapter Makes a Debut
by Ruby M. Tebelak

Ruby M. Tebelak, Founder and President, Lisa S. Andrews, Vice President, Andrew C. Tebelak, Financial Officer

Dreams and successful organizations require hard work, determination and a leader who is willing to follow that dream. I commend Ruby for having such a vision, the energy to pursue it, and the strength to start the first local ASOPA chapter. Success is not a destination, but a journey. With these words, past ASOPA Chairman Michael Del Priore helped launch the first local chapter of ASOPA, the Portrait Art Society, at the ASOPA Foundation's seminar at the Academy of Art College in San Francisco on August 11th.

Birth of a Dream
Being Founder and President of the Portrait Art Society, Charter Chapter of ASOPATM is but one milestone on a personal journey that began in July 1999 when I met two men who were to redirect the course of my life and career: Daniel Greene and Michael Del Priore. Although I had degrees in art and always dreamed of being a full-time artist, art was not my vocation. Instead, I had a successful career as an executive in technical publishing in the famed Silicon Valley in California and had never considered painting portraits as a career. When I joined a friend at Daniel Greene's summer portrait workshop in North Salem, New York, Dan told me that I had a gift for portraiture and should pursue it. Although Dan gave me the dream, it was Michael Del Priore, the extraordinary artist painting next to me, who would show me the path to pursue my original dream of being a professional artist. Not only was his painting inspirational, but he was generous with his critiques and suggestions on how to pursue a career in portraiture. He stressed the importance of associating with other portrait artists and encouraged me to join ASOPA and find a local portrait group. Upon my return home, I joined ASOPA and then spent months in a futile effort trying to find a local portrait group. Although there were many portrait artists, there were no groups in my area that focused on portraiture.

Michael Del Priore and David A. Leffel congratulated Ruby on the success of the new Chapter

Dream Takes Form
In August 1999, I saw Michael again at the ASOPA seminar in San Francisco. Watching great artists like Michael and John Howard Sanden paint from life further inspired me to pursue portraiture. I knew then that I wanted more of what I had just seen, and at the closing of the seminar suggested that ASOPA consider sponsoring local chapters. ASOPA was willing and eager for artists to form local chapters and requested that interested artists come forward. Being one who believes if there's a need, fill it, I decided to form a local group and sponsor workshops to help not only myself, but others pursue their dreams in art. Michael was the first to accept an invitation to give a portrait workshop in San Jose. In March, 28 local portrait artists attended, and on their evaluations expressed an interest in joining a local portrait group. It was time to put my dream into action, so began the research of other local and national art groups. By the time I attended ASOPA's 2000 Portrait Arts Festival and International Competition in New York City in June, I was convinced that a local chapter was the best avenue to benefit local artists and to further the Mission of ASOPA. Michael Del Priore, Arnold McRae, President of ASOPAF, and Richard Whitney were enthusiastic and supportive of the concept, but they wanted a written, detailed proposal before they could make a decision. Encouraged by Richard Whitney's interest in coming to San Francisco for a workshop and Michael's agreement to be Senior Advisor to the local chapter, I returned home determined to make the local chapter a reality. One of the attendees at Michael's workshop, Lisa Andrews, had expressed an interest in helping start a local society. She and I began brainstorming via email and then met with my husband Andrew to outline our mission, goals and agenda, and to assign action items.

Plans Become Actions
We decided that our first meeting had to be August 11th, the Friday night before the ASOPA San Francisco seminar because Michael also had agreed to be our keynote speaker. With less than a month to prepare, we had to work fast. The following is a list of the our action items:

* Since I had many years of experience as a proposal writer and technical publisher, I drafted a detailed proposal to ASOPA and our first newsletter/invitation. Lisa not only acted as editor, but also suggested the brilliant name of Profiles for our quarterly newsletter.
* After receiving ASOPA's approval, we mailed 200 copies of Profiles announcing our first meeting and outlining our mission and goals.
* We purchased the URL for our website and email: portraitartsociety.com.
* After a detailed proposal and a dozen phone calls, Pearl Art donated a French easel and boxed sets of sable oil brushes while University Art Supply gave a $100 gift certificate. ASOPA donated a Michael Del Priore video and a David Leffel video. The gifts for the first meeting totaled $1,000.
* Lisa and I checked out various locations in the Bay area for our quarterly meetings, workshops, and a juried show.
* We contacted local art groups and called over a hundred local artists to personally invite them to the first meeting.
* Craig Nelson of the Academy of Art College in San Francisco agreed to be Advisor, Roseanne Peters agreed to be Secretary, and Andrew Tebelak agreed to be Financial Officer. With Michael as our Senior Advisor, we now had a dedicated board of professionals.
* In an effort to secure a scholarship to be awarded to Academy of Art College, we contacted numerous CEOs and other professionals in the area.
* Lisa created the signage and provided refreshments for the first meeting while I handled the logistics.

Portrait Art Society Officers from left to right: Craig Nelson, Advisor, Ruby M. Tebelak, Founder and President, Andrew C. Tebelak, Financial Officer, Roseanne Peters, Secretary, Michael Del Priore, Senior Advisor, Lisa S. Andrews, Vice President.

Dream Becomes Reality
In short, we put in hundreds of hours to make the dream a reality, and on Friday, August 11, we were rewarded for our efforts when 26 artists signed as charter members in our local chapter. Ten of the charter members also became new ASOPA members, a prerequisite to being a member of the local chapter. Our first meeting was a great success and in the coming months, members can look forward to attending open studios, a workshop by Richard Whitney, a juried show, and a place on our chapter's website.

Success is Sweet!
The Portrait Art Society's mission is to provide inspiration, education, resources and networking for members, and to further the availability and demand for quality portraiture in the West. We pledge to support ASOPA who graciously allowed us to be the "Charter Chapter" and act as a prototype for all future local chapters. With ASOPA's support and the help of our dedicated Board and distinguished advisors, our chapter promises to promote and maintain the highest standards of quality and integrity in the grand tradition of portraiture.

For membership information, contact Ruby M. Tebelak at ruby@portraitartsociety.com.

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