Late summer warmth greeted the ALMA members as they gathered in the Catskills for the annual meeting. Members and guests came from Latvia, Texas, California, Chicago as well as the East coast cities of Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. It was an overflow crowd of participants.

The Friday night presentations featured Lelde Kalmite, who showed her masterful, intricate drawings discussing their relationship to her paintings. Peter Schnore followed with a reflection of the nature of beauty as an element in art and a discussion of Vija Celmins exhibition in New York. A series of short films by Laila Pakalnina led viewers into the night. Saturday morning’s lively business meeting was followed by the cultural program in the afternoon, featuring the distinguished art critic from Latvia, Maris Brancis, who gave an overview of current art exhibitions in Latvia and particularly the work of the faculty at the Latvian Academy of Fine Arts. The art historian and educator, Liga Ejupe, followed with a dynamic presentation of the “Beglu Izstade” ( Exhibition of refugee art between 1945-1950), organized by PLMS and the Klinklava Art Gallery. She also gave an overview of the extensive collection of Latvian art at the Klinklava Gallery, which she directs.

After a short break, the participants gathered for a gallery walk and dialog at the “Saiets” exhibition, featuring work of the attending artists. After dinner, a magic hour of poetry reading by Voldemars Avens and Sarma Muizniece-Liepins, was followed by by the traditional “Hat Party” featuring head gear with minimal and maximal food concepts from fruit to sausages and beyond. On Sunday, the business meeting continued which also included updates by Maija Hinkle on LaPa and Lelde Kalmite on PLMS. Bright sunshine and fall foliage escorted this year’s energized participants home.

by Guna S. Mundheim