Graphic Artists Guild

The New York Chapter is the largest and oldest (inc. 1971) chapter of the Graphic Artists Guild, a labor union of commercial artists and related industries. Since 1967, the Guild's mission has been to raise industry standards and help improve visual creators' professional careers. Stroll through our site and see what we can offer you. Upcoming events and news are listed below, and on the Calendar page.

Upcoming Chapter Event

Tad Crawford: Conquering Confusing Contracts & Copyrights

Thursday, September 18 | 7:00-9:00 PM
Pratt Institute | Manhattan Campus
144 West 14th Street
Room 213

Advance Registration Fees: Members $20 | Non-members $35
Student members $5 | Student non-members and seniors $10

If contracts or legal issues have you frustrated, then this Seminar is for you!

The knowledge and use of good business practices is an essential step for any professional or company, including the graphic designer, design firm, illustrator and graphic art specialist. Come hear Tad Crawford, author and attorney, speak on the subject of contract basics. Gain valuable insights into what are the elements of a valid contract. Learn basic contract terminology. Different types of contracts will be discussed and the remedies available to an injured party for a breach of contract.

This seminar will cover:

How to write and understand a contract

How to negotiate and protect your copyrights

Understand and protect yourself from work for hire

When to get a lawyer involved

Steps to take to protect yourself and your business

Don't miss this opportunity to get the answers to your contract questions that will help protect you and your business.

Register TODAY by phone: call Tamara at the office at 212-791-3400 ext 11

Announcements

2007 Volunteers of the Year:
Giselle Palacios Del Mundo + Clovia Ng

Congratulations to Giselle Palacios Del Mundo and Clovia Ng, who were both recognised for their supreme efforts on our Chapter's behalf this year at the National Board Meeting Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas on November 6th.

Giselle (left) is our chapter board secretary, but also champions the cause of membership, runs a membership / information table at events, designs t-shirts as well as all of our event promotion graphics, and is able to handle all these efforts with amazing grace under pressure, as well as uncanny turnaround speed!

Clovia (pictured below with painting) is the founder and chair of the very popular Children's Book Circle of Illustrators (CBCI) interest group, a highly successful group that brings publishers in to review and comment on member portfolios, gaining an unusual and extremely vaulable insight into what it takes to be hired in this industry. Somehow Clovia still finds the time and energy to promote membership and generate new ideas for other chapter activities!

We are very grateful for both of your contributions to the Guild - cheers to Giselle and Clovia!

Clovia Ng Wins Watercolor Award

Congratulations to Children's Book Circle of Illustrators (CBCI) Chair Clovia Ng on winning third place, watercolors, in the Bendheim Gallery show at the Art Society of Old Greeenwich in CT. The title of the painting is Artist's Point at Yellowstone River 2006. The piece sells for $1,200. Congratulations Clovia!

Update on Health Care through USFSB

The United States Federation of Small Businesses (USFSB) has secured coverage for sole proprietor membership with Atlantis Health Plan. That means freelancers (ie. businesses with only one employee -- you!) are eligible.

If you are interested in this plan, contact USFSB's New York City office at 718-701-0087 for more information on the plan or Click here for more info.

Member Discount

The Joy of Code:

A 12-Week Online Course in Creating a Website. Click here for more info, or visit www.joyofcode.com and mention "gag".

Getting ready for taxes?

Susan Lee

CPA to the artists, has a new website at www.freelancetaxation.com. She has posted several pages of valuable information on topics such as a list of deductible expenses for artists, tracking your income, and financial disaster kits.

Heads Up Column Wants Your News

Have you received an award, job, great contract, etc. that you'd like to share with your fellow NY Chapter members? Any other positive news you'd like to impart? The Heads Up! column of the bi-monthly NY Chapter newsletter, The Update, wants to hear from you. Limited to maximum of 100 words. Email your copy to us at: ny@gag.org. We'll let you know if and when we plan to publish it, so you'll know to look for it.