by TASI Executive Director, Greg Busceme, Sr.
Let me start with the incredible staff that has kept the Studio afloat through these tough times. Kris Movva and Jessica Jennings hold down the office and handle everything from volunteer coordination to office management. Their tasks include all record keeping of memberships, managing finances, making mailers for exhibitions, and all the events we put on per month (which is a daunting task on a good day), keeping track of all the art that is sold, and processing art that has been submitted, and dealing with art that has not been picked up (either sold work or pieces that have been abandoned by their creator). Much of this orphaned work goes to auction or intermittent sales throughout the year. We also have angels that come to set up the lavish refreshments and the appetizing display you see at every opening. Jayne Aquino and Janna Ray are responsible for making our table a beautiful display. Janna also assists in the acquisition of grants and funding and is a resource for keeping up with our books.
Our Saturday Volunteer Program brings students from Early College and other schools to clean, mop, and make the studio cobweb and dust free – again a daunting task that all the students embrace with joyful enthusiasm. I especially love this program because I enjoy keeping track with some of the students and watching their progress through their academic studies. This is one of the most rewarding programs in my view.
These volunteers, staff, and Board Members are the reason TASI has existed for so long. We are young compared to the AMSET or Art League, but I feel we had a tougher road to follow as there was no direct city support by the time we came around. We are a truly grassroots organization with big bootstraps and dedicated people who know the meaning of the word “Sacrifice” and are willing to offer their skills in Art to make Southeast Texas a better place to live. It is time for you to realize what we have done with almost no resources and to think what we could do with your generous support.