THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 21, 1995 TAG: 9505190235
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 13 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Cover Story
SOURCE: BY REBECCA A. MYERS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
Terri Karlsson, this year's Seawall Art Show chairman, learned to love art while working for an accounting firm.
It wasn't the usual mecca of art appreciation, but this one happened to be a New York firm serving primarily artists in New York City.
``Here I was, this little, naive Southern 17-year-old with these famous artists,'' she said. ``I was invited to their lofts, their gallery openings and museum openings.''
Now a 39-year-old management consultant, Karlsson is stepping into Portsmouth Museums director Betty Burnell's shoes as head of the art show committee.
Burnell, who has been in Norway participating in a Rotary International exchange program for the past few weeks, asked Karlsson to take charge of the event.
``I guess because I'm aggressive and I don't mind asking people for money,'' said Karlsson, who is in her second year as an art show volunteer.
Last year, Karlsson's main duty was soliciting donations from businesses and individuals to support the show.
Karlsson began working on this year's art show right after last year's.
The top job is being made a lot easier, she said, by the help she's gotten from Joyce LaFramboise, Burnell's administrative assistant, as well as a host of art show volunteers.
``The museum falls under the auspices of the city, but the Seawall Art Show is not funded by the city,'' said Karlsson. ``It's basically a self-funded event.''
Supporters may contribute either $25 to become a booster or $50 to become a donor. In addition, each artist is asked to pay a $125 admission fee, which covers the cost of prizes and entertainment. Another money-maker is the party on the pier at Amory's Wharf. Organizers are hoping to sell about 300 tickets, at $12 each, for that event.
``It generally about breaks even,'' said Karlsson. ``And any extra money goes back to the Portsmouth Museums Foundation, which is non-profit.''
The art show committee includes about a dozen people and whatever volunteers they can recruit. In her two years with the Seawall Art Show, Karlsson has seen an outpouring of support from volunteers in the military.
``Last year, we had help from the Navy community in that some sailors volunteered to help the artists set up,'' said Karlsson.
They also helped relieve artists who wanted to take a break to see other people's art, to get something to eat or to go to the restroom. Karlsson has the same help again this year.
``We're really trying to make sure the Navy community knows that we want to work with them, we want them to be a part of us, and we want to be a part of them in the community,'' she said. ``We think that's really important.''
Karlsson predicts a perfect weekend for the art show - weatherwise and otherwise.
``It won't rain,'' she said adamantly. ``We're going to have a great show.'' MEMO: [For related stories, see microfilm of The Currents for this date.]
ILLUSTRATION: Terri Karlsson
Seawall Art Show chairman
PORTSIDE ENTERTAINMENT
Schedule
[For a copy of the schedule, see microfilm for this date.]
by CNB