Sooner Decorative Artists History
As told by Gail Bonifay, founding member
1990--Several decorative painters approached me
about starting a chapter here in Norman. I'd just finished a term on the
Society of Decorative Painter's board of directors and had the time to pursue this. So, in February,
we scheduled a meeting for those interested. Didn't think at the time we
had that much interest, but to my surprise the room was filled with about 60
people. I laid out all the various requirements (which were many and
specific) and everyone was ready to go. To make a long story short, we
received our charter at the Indianapolis convention in 1991.
Ours was the first chapter to receive a charter in such a short
time.
Initially, we had about 80 members, but over the
next years that number dwindled until now we have a consistent membership of 25+
loyal painters. We suspect the economy had a great deal to do with
that.
The chapter meets once a month on the 3rd Saturday,
and usually has a painting lesson in addition to the business meeting. The
two big events are the "birthday" party in February and the Christmas party in
December.
Over the years the chapter has participated in
decorating Christmas trees at the White House, Vice Presidential Mansion,
Blair House, the Smithsonian, Longwood Gardens and the Library of
Congress. They have also sponsored Showhomes for decorative painting to
raise money for the education fund, painted countless memory boxes to be given
to parents who have lost a child (through Norman Regional Hospital), sponsored
Christmas parties for underprivileged children and donated to local
charities.
The chapter has been awarded the Chapter
Achievement Award every year since receiving its charter, and has several
members who have received national recognition. Joan Kozlowski was awarded
the best chapter member (this is not the official title, but I can't bring it
out of my brain right now!), Gail Bonifay received the President's Commendation
Award and the Silver Palette, and two members, Gail Bonifay and Darla Foreman,
were elected President of the SDP. In addition, two members have been
published in the Decorative Painter magazine--Joan Kozlowski with a painting
lesson and Gail Bonifay wrote a series of articles about the Decorative Arts
Collection. We have one member who has received the Certified Decorative
Artist award, and several members have pieces in the Decorative Arts Collection
housed in Atlanta, Georgia, and the SDP Decorative Arts Collection
which is at headquarters in Wichita, Kansas.
As you can see, the Sooner Decorative Artists are a
small but dedicated group. Many of its members are also members of its
sister chapter, The Tole Diggers, and hold/held offices in that group
also.
