July 11, 2023

Hello Visual Arts Guild!

We hope you are enjoying summer break. 

If you have one minute, check out this quick list of news and updates. If you have five minutes, read the full newsletter below.

• Enrollment is now open for new and returning students for 2023-24.
• Incoming students - BTW Flight School (students only) is Friday, August 4 from 8:30-2 p.m. and the guild's Freshman FYI (parents/guardians and students) is Tuesday, August 8 at 6 p.m. 
• The PTSA is hosting Parent University at BTW on Friday, August 4 from 12-2 p.m. There will be grade-level breakout sessions, and the PTSA senior chair will hold a senior parent meeting. Get more information and RSVP online.
• Class of 2024 - schedule your senior headshot during Pegasus Pick Up on August 2 (or August 22 for make-ups) and vote for your t-shirt design by July 17.
• Current students - the deadline to submit artwork for the All-School Musical artwork contest is July 17.
• Parent and student volunteers are needed for Pegasus Pick Up (July 31-August 2), senior headshots (August 2), and the faculty back-to-school breakfast (August 7).
• The website calendar has been updated with exhibits, receptions and guild meetings for the 2023-24 school year.
• The first Visual Arts Coffee is Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m. Location TBA.
• We're looking for students in all grades to provide a quote or testimonial to support our North Texas Giving Day campaign in September.
• Last but not least - check out our EARLY BIRD MEMBERSHIP SPECIAL. Join before Pegasus Pick Up and LEVEL UP your membership with the guild!

Enrollment for all new and returning students is now open. Visit the DISD website and click 'enroll now' to begin the process. It is helpful to have this online registration completed before Pegasus Pick Up. 

The PTSA is hosting its first Parent University session on Friday, August 4 from 12-2 p.m. There will be discussions on school safety and academic support plans, and grade-level breakout sessions. The PTSA senior class chair will host a senior parent meeting. All parents and guardians are invited to Parent University. Get more information and RSVP online. 

We need volunteers for several events this summer:

• Pegasus Pick Up, July 31-August 2: Volunteers will man the Visual Arts Guild table, sell merchandise, help families join the guild, and answer questions. Parents and students are welcome. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
• Senior Headshots, Wednesday, August 2: Volunteers will keep the students on schedule and take payments. Parents and students are welcome. Morning and afternoon shifts are available.
• Faculty Back-to-School Breakfast, Monday, August 7: The Visual Arts Guild is hosting breakfast for the BTW faculty on Monday, August 7 from 7-9 a.m. We need breakfast items, monetary donations, and volunteers to set up, serve and clean up. Parents and students are welcome.

The exhibit and reception schedule for 2023-24 is now available on the Visual Arts Guild website. 

In 2023-24, the guild will have its regular meetings on the first Tuesday of the month following the PTSA meeting. Parents, guardians and students are encouraged to attend the PTSA meeting at 6 p.m. in the BTW Commons, and then join the guild for a 30-minute meeting. We aim to have 4-6 guild meetings from September-May so we will not meet each month. More information will be shared at least 30 days prior to each meeting, per our bylaws. Our first meeting will be Tuesday, September 5.

Parents and guardians are invited to join us for the first Visual Arts Guild Coffee on Saturday, August 26 at 10 a.m. We'll have a couple of weeks under our belts so you are welcome to join us to meet, ask questions and vent! Location TBA.

The Visual Arts Guild is looking for students in all grades to provide a quote or testimonial to support our North Texas Giving Day campaign in September. Quotes can be anonymous. See the website for more information. 

YoungArts is open through October 13. Award winners at all levels receive mentorship and financial awards; gain access to a lifetime of creative, professional development and funding opportunities; and become part of an uplifting, inter-generational community that helps artists connect, create and collaborate. See the YoungArts website for details.

Current students, you have until July 17 to submit artwork for consideration for the All-School Musical Hairspray. See the entry form for guidelines and submission instructions.

The Visual Arts Guild is hosting Freshman FYI, an informational Zoom call for all incoming families, on Tuesday, August 8 at 6 p.m. We'll have a panel of current and former students and parents to answer your questions about the Visual Arts Conservatory and the Visual Arts Guild. Register on the Visual Arts Guild website so we can send you the call details. And let us know if you have any questions you'd like us to address.

Flight School for incoming students is Friday, August 4 from 8:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Students can RSVP for Flight School on the PTSA website. The PTSA is also hosting its first Parent University for all parents and guardians from 12-2 p.m. on August 4. Parents/guardians can also RSVP online. 

You have two chances to take your senior headshot, Wednesday, August 2 during Pegasus Pick Up and Tuesday, August 22. Schedule your session online. You can pre-pay or pay with cash, check or card at your session. When you sign up, please include in the comment whether you have paid online or will pay in person. 

The PTSA is hosting its first Parent University on Friday, August 4 from 12-2 p.m. The event will include discussions on school safety, new 'flight plans' to support academic and conservatory goals, and a senior parent meeting with the PTSA's senior class chair. You can RSVP for the senior meeting on the PTSA website.

Students, don't forget to vote for your favorite t-shirt design. Voting closes July 17.

Join Before Pegasus Pick Up

Get it done before you get there. Join The Visual Arts Guild before Pegasus Pick Up (7/31-8/2) and you can "LEVEL UP" for free!! Join for one level and get the benefits of the above one for the same price. 

Support our Visual Art students and you will receive our monthly newsletters that contain dates and deadlines for events at school and off campus. All membership dollars go toward creating successful events and making sure that the faculty has the supplies they need to ensure an atmosphere of growth. The Visual Arts Guild also awards scholarships to seniors at the end of every school year. Don’t miss this great opportunity! Join today!

Visual Arts Guild at BTWHSPVA

2501 Flora St.

Dallas TX 75201