Congratulations to Coral Gables Branch — Highest Percentage of Growth in 2018

By Bev Goldie, National Third Vice President

Coral Gables Branch, Florida, doubled its size in 2018.  What an accomplishment!

Branch Treasurer Marilyn Valiente attributed this tremendous effort to revive and grow her branch to hard work and persistence. As a signature member of both Miami’s and Florida’s watercolor societies and past president of Florida’s Watercolor Society, she and Membership Chair Mai Yap were vigilant in inviting other outstanding visual artists they knew to apply to NLAPW. 

The branch has had some bumps in the road with ailing members who have had to drop out, and for a time it looked like the branch was in trouble. With the addition of 10 new members, the branch’s percentage of growth was 100 percent.

We congratulate the Coral Gables Branch for its flush of applications and wish the branch just as much success for future years.

We will add their name to the plaque that hangs in the Pen Arts Building commemorating this accomplishment. We hope to personally congratulate a delegate from the branch at the 2020 Biennial in Washington, D.C., in spring. At that time, we will also determine and congratulate the winner of the 2019 award.

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