Preliminary Program

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Informal Welcome Reception and Registration

Kick off the weekend festivities by mingling with fellow members and art enthusiasts at this very casual reception. OPA’s vendors will also be on hand for you to take a look at the latest and best products on the market. You can also pick up your registration materials at this time.

Friday, May 2, 2008

8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Registration, Hospitality, and Exhibit Room
Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: Free of Charge

Take a minute to look over the great products being offered by this year’s vendors in the exhibition room. Many products will be for sale so be sure to plan ahead. You may also register for Friday’s events based on availability.

8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ramon Kelley OPAM Demonstration
Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: $50 per person

OPA is proud to have Master Signature member Ramon Kelley as this year’s Juror of Awards. After serving in the Navy, Kelley won a scholarship to the Colorado Institute of Art. He has built an award-winning reputation in various media including oil painting. His sensitive character studies are included in the collections of the Seattle Frye Museum, the Santa Fe Museum of Fine Art, the Denver Public Library, the Spokane Museum of Native American Cultures and the Academy at West Point, among numerous other public and private collections. In addition to painting, Kelley is considered a world-class teacher and has recently written a book entitled, “The 5 Essentials in Every Powerful Painting.”

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break

12:30 – 1:30 p.m.
“J.W. Waterhouse R.A.” Presentation with Peter Trippi, Editor, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: $20 per person

In a presentation based on his book, “J.W. Waterhouse.” Peter Trippi, Editor of Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine will provide audiences with an informative and in-depth look at the famous British painter John William Waterhouse R.A. Mr. Trippi, formerly the Director of the Dahesh Museum of Art in New York City, has established himself as one of the most knowledgeable experts on Waterhouse. His 250 page biography on the painter has sold more than 38,000 copies.

1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Art Critiques
Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: Free to Members $15 non-members

From beginner basics to advanced topics, this is a wonderful opportunity for you to receive practical and objective advice on how to improve your paintings from one of our Signature or Master Signature members. These real-world professionals will provide you with an insightful critique that will give you the tools you need to make your paintings even better!

3:30 p.m. –5:00 p.m.
“Photoshop® for for Artists” with Johnnie Liliedahl OPA - Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: $30 per person

Join OPA Signature member Johnnie Liliedahl, and author of “Photo-Imaging for Painters,” as she discusses how you can use Photoshop® to present digital images of your paintings in the most correct color and value range, how to photograph your work without being a professional photographer, and how to manipulate your photographic references to be better painting references when you can't work from life. The session will be driven by questions and answers, as well as demonstrations of some of the most common uses a painter has for Photoshop®.

5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Artists’ Reception and Awards Ceremony
Dana Gallery and Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: Free of charge

Friday culminates with the exciting opening of this year’s exhibition at Dana Gallery. Artists, collectors, and sponsors will preview the exhibition at Dana Gallery before heading to the Holiday Inn - Parkside where the award winners will be announced including the prestigious American National Award of Excellence valued at $20,000.

Awards presentation begins at approximately 8:15 p.m. at the Holiday Inn - Parkside.

Saturday, May 3, 2008

7:30 a.m. – 8:45 a.m.
OPA Annual Business Meeting at the Holiday Inn - Parkside
Members only, please. Bagels, coffee and juice will be served.

OPA Members – this is your chance to get all of your questions answered by your Board of Directors. Find out what’s in store for the organization. The Board of Directors is always interested in hearing your comments and suggestions.

9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Painting Demonstrations
Dana Gallery Cost: Free of Charge

One of the best and most well attended events of the weekend. Watch and learn from the top artists that have agreed to demonstrate their painting expertise for members and guests. Participating artists will be announced shortly.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Lunch Break

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
“Get Comfortable Promoting Your Art: Easy Steps that Make a Difference” with Alyson B. Stanfield, founder of ArtBizCoach.com.
Meet at Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: $40 Member/$45 Non-Member

Are you haunted by fears of promoting yourself and your art? The real fear isn’t in the doing; it’s in the NOT doing. What if you stay in your studio all of the time and never share your gift with the world? Art-marketing guru Alyson B. Stanfield of ArtBizCoach.com, and author of “ I’d Rather Be in the Studio!” will help you discover how to promote yourself and still leave time to do what you do best – paint!

In this workshop you will learn:

• How to write an artist statement and why you must do this first

• How to introduce yourself as an artist so people want to know more.

• Why your contact list is your most important asset and how to build it

• How to network and follow up with potential patrons

Ms. Stanfield has created a highly successful business advising artists on a number of ways to promote and build their businesses. She is a regular contributor to Art Business News and writes the free, weekly Art Marketing Action newsletter.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Break

3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
“How to Use Email, Websites, and Blogs to Amplify Your Online Presence” with Alyson B. Stanfield, founder of ArtBizCoach.com.
Meet at Holiday Inn - Parkside Cost: $40 Member/$45 Non-Member

The Internet isn’t going away. It’s only getting more and more complex. If you don’t learn how to use it now to promote your art, you’re going to fall farther and farther behind. In this whirlwind overview of electronic promotional tools, Ms. Stanfield will teach you:

● Five email secrets that produce results
● What works (and what doesn’t!) for artists’ websites
● Why you need a blog now
● How to build an online media room

Sunday, May 4, 2008

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Plein Air Painting
Cost: Free of Charge

Come spend the day painting with other OPA members as they explore some of the best painting locations in and around Missoula. Unquestionably, one of the most scenic states in the country, Montana offers artists a plethora of painting opportunities –including the Blackfoot River Valley, Flathead Lake - the largest natural lake West of the Mississippi; and Missoula itself! Don’t forget to bring your easel and painting supplies…or purchase supplies from one of our vendors at Friday’s tradeshow. (For those flying in, paint thinner will be provided for use in your container. )