New GVR Glass Artists Club Studio
The GVR Glass Artists Club is prepping to open a brand-new studio at Santa Rita Springs. This project has been a long time coming, and as a growing GVR club with more and more interest each season, we are pleased that the finish line is on the horizon.
We recently asked GVR Glass Artists Club President Jayne Becker about the excitement around this new creative space. Here is what she had to say.
How did the GVR Glass Artists Club raise funds towards furnishings for the new studio?
GVR funded the conversion and remodel at Santa Rita Springs, of course, and is providing the space. But we have always known that the club would buy our own furniture and equipment. For glass art, this means not only tables, chairs, and shelves, but also kilns, grinders, drill presses, various saws, and many other tools. So, for the past seven years, our members have donated their artwork to the club to sell at community fairs and club-sponsored sales at Desert Hills Center. Our members also have made generous financial contributions. And many GVR members have donated equipment, shelving, tools, glass, and innumerable resources.
What are you most looking forward to?
The Santa Rita Springs studio is multi-functional, with an open space for cutting and assembling fused or mosaic projects,
a stained glass room, a separate area for the saws and loud equipment, a safe area for working with powdered glass, a kiln room, and a classroom. It’s a big change from having a one-room studio that supports only one activity at a time. At the new studio, our members will have the freedom to pursue many interests. Our members are so excited about no longer having to carry fragile projects from Abrego North over to the kilns at West Center, hoping to avoid ruining their work by hitting a pothole. Now, with everything in the same building, it will be safer, far more convenient, and will spark a creative synergy as members work together. We are also looking forward to potential collaborations with the other wonderful arts clubs at Santa Rita Springs.
What are the major upgrades the club is excited about?
Everything. We’re moving from a space the size of a garage to a fully functional place for making art.
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CONTACT US 520.625.3440
Operational matters
email: hotline@gvrec.org
Board policy matters email: board@gvrec.org
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Las Campanas Customer Service
West Center Customer Service
GVR INFO
520-625-6200 (Lunch 11:30am–12:30pm)
520-625-4641 (Lunch 12:30–1:30pm)
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Canoa Hills
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Desert Hills
East Center
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West Center
Center Operations Assistants (Yellow Shirts) 520-343-2440
OCTOBER BOARD & COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Audit Committee: No meeting scheduled
Board of Directors Work Session:
Wednesday, October 18, 2–4pm, WC Auditorium/Zoom
Board of Directors Regular Meeting:
Wednesday, October 25, 2–4pm, WC Auditorium/Zoom
Board Affairs Committee:
Tuesday, October 3, 1:30–3pm, WC Room 2/Zoom
Fiscal Affairs Committee:
Tuesday, October 17, 1:30–3pm, WC Room 2/Zoom
Investments Committee:
Wednesday, October 18, 9–10:30am, WC Room 2/Zoom
Nominations & Elections Committee: No meeting scheduled
Planning & Evaluation Committee: No meeting scheduled
Any change in meeting status will be announced on the GVR website calendar.
BOARD MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
In a regular meeting on Wednesday, September 27, the Board of Directors took the following actions:
• Approved five proposed bylaw changes recommended by the Board Affairs Committee.
• Approved Capital Improvement Policy and Process as a test pilot for a year and a half.
• Approved Committee Action Plans with slight wording change in Fiscal Affairs and two changes in the Audit Committee.
• Approved Corporate Policy Manual Fiscal Affairs Committee Responsibilities with one slight change.
All Satellite Centers 520-549-9733 Open daily 5:30am–9pm
Abrego North Abrego South
Casa Paloma I
Casa Paloma II
Continental Vistas
Madera Vista Pickleball Center
GVR BOARD
1601 N Abrego Dr 1655 S Abrego Dr 400 W Circulo del Paladin 330 N Calle de las Banderolas 906 W Camino Guarina 440 S Camino del Portillo 2612 S Camino de la Canoa
GVR BOARD MEMBERS
President: Marge Garneau
Vice President: Carol Crothers
Secretary: Bart Hillyer
Treasurer: Jim Carden
Assistant Secretary: Barbara Blake
Assistant Treasurer: Joe Magliola
DIRECTORS
Nancy Austin
Kathi Bachelor
Beth Dingman
Steve Gilbert
Bev Lawless
Richard Sutherland
GVR BOARD COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Audit Committee: Nancy Austin
Board Affairs Committee: Carol Crothers
Financial Affairs Committee: Jim Carden
Investments Committee: Bev Lawless
Nominations & Elections Committee: Beth Dingman
Planning & Evaluation Committee: Kathi Bachelor
Email: board@gvrec.org
Did You Know?
Canoa Hills Update
Members are asking why they can’t resume activities in the auditorium or why we can’t reopen just the pool. As we stated back in mid-June when this project began, we had no idea what we would find when we opened the walls and floors of a 33-year-old building. Plumbing problems have posed the greatest challenges, but those are close to being resolved.
We apologize for the inconvenience, but this is a major remodel to a large, well-trafficked building. Delays are a normal and expected element of a project of this nature. Staff cleared all Canoa Hills reservations through the end of the year as a precaution as we assume members would prefer to have a solid plan now rather than adapting to a venue change on short notice later.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
Letter from the President
A thank you to the Board Affairs Committee for all the work put into evaluation of the bylaws. The Board will be looking at changes proposed by this committee and some from the new attorney for GVR. Since our articles have to be written well in advance of the Board Regular meeting, I cannot tell you if the Board will accept the proposed changes at this time. Just know we are busy looking into bylaws now and the policies in the Corporate Policy Manual.
Staff is working on the plans for the new Del Sol Clubhouse. The Board approved the proposed project in May, staff will bring bids back to the Board hopefully in November. Staff is also working on getting the Canoa Hills Center finished and back in operation. Thanks for your patience with the closing of the center, this was a major remodel and should be really nice once finished.
Welcome to three new managers. Howey Murray is the Controller/Finance Manager, Chris McNeely is the Human Resources Director, and Michaela Osborn is the Project Manager.
Board Committees have reviewed their job descriptions and have rewritten them to align with what their jobs are now. They also are presenting their first yearly committee work plans to the Board.
The Board approved a Capital Improvement Policy and Process as a test pilot for a year and a half.
Thanks to all who attend our meetings and those who send us emails with their questions and concerns.
—Marge Garneau, Board PresidentChildren’s Pool Hours
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party at Santa Rita Springs
Watch an eclipse with an expert! Join us for an annular (ring-shaped) solar eclipse viewing event on October 14 at Santa Rita Springs in the Anza Room and on the Fiesta Deck. 78% of the sun will be eclipsed at about 9:30am. Ed Schmidt, Professor Emeritus, will be on hand to offer his expertise and lead a slide show repeating several times between 8–10am. A $5 fee covers ‘eclipse glasses’ and simple refreshments. Limit four tickets per member.
Tickets can be purchased online at gvrec.org, over the phone (520) 625-3440, or in person at Las Campanas or West Center Box Office.
West Center Weekdays: Noon–9pm
Weekends & holidays: ALL day
Abrego South
Daily: 4–6pm
All other pools
Daily: 11am–1pm AND 4–6pm
No guest pass required for kids! Children 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children six and younger must have an adult in the pool with them at all times.
Find your fun this fall
It’s October and the Leisure Education fall term has begun. Hopefully, you’ve registered for all of your desired classes. If not, rest assured that all the regular favorites are available, plus GVR has a few new classes that are certain to please.
A Discussion of Western Novels and their Movies includes movies which not only developed from best-selling novels, but which were also filmed in the Tucson area. You’ll be able to read the book, watch the movie offered by two showings of each at the West Center Auditorium, and then participate in a group discussion. The first movie showing is October 24.
Music as the Soundtrack of Your Life is perfect for all of us who have a song running through our heads which might remind us of junior high, college, or even the music our parents loved. Class begins October 23.
Using Anthropology to Explore Life Stories will begin with an overview of Anthropology, show students how humankind is alike and different, and help make connections to the special area of the world where we live. Class begins October 20.
Aqua Zumba promises to be a lot of fun. This will be an all-over workout at the Desert Hills pool with minimal impact on your body. Classes are Monday and Wednesday in October, November, and December. Reserve your place as this will be a best seller!
Introduction to Mindful Eating explores what it means to eat mindfully. Learn strategies to release negative feelings surrounding foods and how to assess our hunger cues and responses.
There really is something for everyone in GVR’s Leisure Education program. If you have an idea for a class that you’d like us to offer, please get in touch. We’ll see what we can do. SteveK@gvrec.org
OCTOBER ART EXHIBITS
Desert Hills – GVR Santa Rita Art League Club
Las Campanas – GVR Photography Club
East Center – GVR Needlearts Club
Center – Dick Paige
ARTISANS FESTIVAL
What can club members do now that wasn’t available to them before?
Most of the equipment that we have acquired in the last seven years has been stored in a shed because there is no room at Abrego North to set it up. At Santa Rita Springs, we’ll be able to use that equipment. Members will be able to create and finish their work using more complex processes. In addition, we will have a bathtub-sized kiln for firing larger projects than we’ve ever been able to do. We’ll have a large stained glass room with a built-in light table and work areas that can support making larger projects like windows and sidelights.
What do you suggest for the beginner interested in learning about glass art?
Starting in November, the club is offering three Introductory courses through GVR: one in stained glass, one in mosaics, and one in fusing. In each course, members learn how to cut glass and create a small project. It’s a great way to try out glass art, and it’s fun! The courses are listed in the GVR catalog.
Can GVR members stop by to see what’s happening when club members are in the studio?
Yes, and we hope they will. There will be a grand opening once the dust settles from our move. It will be a perfect opportunity to come to see the studio and celebrate with us.
Where can GVR members and the public purchase artwork created by club members?
We will sell selected artwork from our studio entry at Santa Rita Springs.
What’s the first piece of art you plan to make in the brandnew studio?
There’s a technique called dimensional fusing, which uses powdered glass to “paint” on multiple layers of glass. The result is a three-dimensional “picture” in glass. There’s a beautiful example on the cover of the current GVR catalog. There’s so much I want to do!
Watch for a ribbon-cutting celebration this fall!
New Fitness Opportunity
The larger room in the old fitness center at Desert Hills opens as a Boxing Gym this month. This room is subject to reservation for classes and small group training, but is otherwise available for any member to use, 5:30am–9pm. Bring your own gloves and wraps to enjoy a variety of heavy bags, speed bags, battle ropes, and more.
Small Group Boxing Training
Begins October 3
4–8 people
Tuesday & Thursday
9–9:45am AND 10–10:45am
$150 2x/week for 5 weeks
Interested? Contact LeeS@gvrec.org
