ORANGE PARK – The Art Guild of Orange Park was honored with a wonderful $6,460 donation from the Jacksonville Society of Mixed Media Artists (SMMA) at the AGOP April meeting.

AGOP President, Phyl Renninger, accepted the donation from Phyllis Applebee, SoMMA Treasurer, and former SoMMA members Kathy Plante, Linda Hawkins and Leslie Kruzicki.

SMMA , an eclectic group of talented artists working in mixed media, collage, experimental, fiber, encaustic, and non-objective art, disbanded this year. AGOP is inviting former SMMA members to join AGOP, an inclusive group of visual artists reaching into many local communities.

At the presentation, Hawkins gave a heartfelt impromptu talk about the difficulty non-profit groups have in surviving. Hawkins pointed out that organizations require dedicated volunteers as well as a younger active generation willing to maintain an organization’s mission. She offered a caveat of appeal for engaging in volunteer organizations: “Studies tell us that volunteers live longer and have healthier lives.”

AGOP policy seeks young members. Recently the Guild lowered its membership age from 18 to 14 so that talented high school students can become part of this art group. The Guild also offers an annual cash scholarship that includes free one-year membership in the Guild. Applications are available online at www.artguildoforangepark.org.

Art students wishing to join the Guild can join online or at one of the monthly meetings. The Guild meets at 150 Fox Alley Dr. on the first Tuesday of each month during the academic year and is open to the public.

AGOP works continuously to increase membership and its presence in the community. The organization promotes visual arts programs in schools and reaches out to serve many other community organizations and agencies. Guild volunteers participate in many activities, events and art programs throughout Clay County each year.

The Guild provides arts education and support to members through workshops and mentoring and affords exhibition opportunities for participants. Membership is for visual artists and anyone interested in supporting local arts and artists. If you call yourself an “Art Lover” you are welcome.