Art+Copy Info

First, I want say thank you for this opportunity. Being elected to the Art+Copy Club’s council of directors last year was a great honor. Being asked to lead this group humbles me beyond words. And it has given me my next great challenge to focus on.

When Jeremy Fuksa and Kevin Fullerton first approached me with the possibility of running for president, I raised my eyebrow with some skepticism. As I’ve gotten to know and respect our past two presidents and come to greatly admire them both, I wasn’t sure I could live up to the high standards they’ve set. Mr. Fuksa is one of the most creative people I know and is truly a “creative generalist.” He seems to know a great deal about everything, and Mr. Fullerton has continually shown me how to be an effective decision maker and stand up for the things you truly believe in.

As we talked it over, they convinced me that I was up for the challenge and would be a good leader for our council, so I accepted their offer, as did two other amazingly qualified individuals. I know that no matter which of us was elected president, the entire club would come away as winners. The other candidates were two people I have the utmost respect for, Julie Parker and Alistair Tutton. Julie is going to be assisting the council as one of our special events chairs, and is also serving in the newly created vice president position. Julie is a rock star and brings considerable expertise to her position, having served as a chair for programs and last year’s ADDY committee. Alistair Tutton is last year’s Art+Copy Club Member of the Year, and he was brave enough to volunteer as one of our ADDY chairs this year. I believe Alistair truly embodies the spirit of this club. A tip of the cap to you both.

Once the votes were tallied and they told me I had been elected I think I was in a state of shock. After losing Student Council elections in fourth, fifth and sixth grades, I just assumed I wasn’t cut out for a career in “politics.” I guess the lesson here is try, try, try and try again—and you never know what might happen.

Since that meeting, we’ve been pretty busy. We have restructured some of our committees and came up with a new plan to help streamline our workflow. The calendar for the year is set and we’re already working on our first two events (details to follow, of course). New ideas for our website are underway—and that’s just scratching the surface.

In his farewell address Jeremy Fuksa said I’d be getting back to you with my vision for the future of the club. To be honest with you, I don’t have one of my own—at least not yet. The plans and ideas that Jeremy laid out last year still ring true with me. The idea of the club being ours—to make it whatever we want it to be—still resonates with me, and it’s my honor to keep the ball moving forward. With the help of some very dedicated friends last year, I was able to help lead three effective events. It was a ton of fun carrying out the idea of “ours.” I think we should continue to perfect this mission, and our council is going to do everything in its power to keep it rolling. I only ask you to get involved. Speak out. Make your voice heard. This club is yours, and mine, and ultimately ours—let’s continue shaping it into something amazing for all of us.

When I started getting involved in the Art+Copy Club, it was to meet all the Kansas City creatives I didn’t get to work with on a regular basis. I also wanted to work on projects that were interesting, challenging and different than my daily workload. And now, after being heavily involved in the club for three years, I can recite our mission statement if you’d like, I can tell you about our plans for the coming year, but that isn’t what inspires people. The truth is that the Club has helped make all my goals a reality and then some. And it’s pretty fun, too. My mentor Skip Quimby always says that the truth is particularly moving. Hopefully the truth I’ve found can help inspire you to get involved, as well.

I’d like to quickly thank as many people as I can who helped me so much last year. I wouldn’t have gotten very far at all without my programs partner, Kat O’ Connor. Kat has left the council for now to focus on her day job, and I know I will miss her wit and energy. Rachel Hack, Jeremy Fuksa and Kevin Fullerton provided me with solid leadership. Austin Walsh, Alistair Tutton and rw2 hosted great events last year. Julie Parker, Vicky Frenkel and Hilda Awad-Brown showed me the ropes. And I’d like to extend a special thanks to all my creative friends who went above and beyond to help me with all my Art+Copy endeavors last year: Maggie Goldsborough, Charles Harris, Mike Johnson, Teresa Carter, Anna LaRue, Chris Simmons, Laura Christensen, Daniela Kelley, Jared Brustad and Ed Doris.

To my young friends Dustin Schirer, Suzanne Frye and especially Quinn Katherman—your talent is only surpassed by your drive and ambition. It’s truly an honor getting to work with you. And yes, I’m buttering you up for the next time I need something.

Last but not least, I’d like to say a special thank you to my wife, Kate, who shows the utmost patience with me and my need to try and get involved in just about everything. My New Year’s resolution this year was to learn to say “no” a little more often. As I said, she’s patient with me.

I know it’s been a hard year for many of us, and I don’t think there is anyone in this industry that hasn’t been affected in some way by what’s going on in the world. Hopefully this coming year will be better. At the very least, we have each other and the fact that we’re all in this crazy adventure together. I look forward to seeing you at our next event, which is just around the corner. Until then…

Jeremy R. Johnson
Art+Copy Club President, 2009-2010