December
2024 Newsletter Give us Five,
See A.R.T.S. Thrive!
Five minutes
a day keeps the
block away. Five dollars
a month supports
A.R.T.S. worldwide. Five minutes
to read so A.R.T.S.
thrives!
Do you have
something to
contribute?
Please send
us poetry,
audio files,
short
writing,
A.R.T.S.-related
stories,
images of
your art (in
jpg.)! Email
the editors
at
newsletter@artsanonymous.org
Thank you
for the following
Meeting
Contribution:
A.R.T.S. Anonymous
is fully
self-supporting,
declining outside
contributions. Thank
you to the following
meeting for their
donation in November
2025:
Sharathon in
January:Save the
Date! The
next A.R.T.S.
Sharathon is
scheduled for
Saturday, January
25, 2025. Three
hours to share our
creative gifts with
each other,
beginning at 10 am
PT/4 pm ET.
Sunday Step
Study Workshop –
Step Six: The Step Six
Study Workshop will
be held on Sunday,
December 29, 2024, 8
am GMT/9 am CET/7 pm
AEDT.
Click here to
register.
(This is not a
closed group; you
may participate to
find out what the
Step might do to
help.) The link is
also on the
News page of the
website.
Step Ten
Study Workshops:
Step Ten
Study Workshops are
postponed until
February 14 and 15
2025, due
to the holidays and
the World Service
Conference in
January 2025. (The
workshop is held
twice to accommodate
a variety of time
zones.) Watch your
email and the
website for
updates.
Conference
Chair and Conference
Vice Chair Positions
are open: Rotation of
Service is a valued
principle so
that can have the
benefit of growth
and creative
recovery. A willing
and able Trusted
Servant is needed to
Chair the World
Service Conference
after this upcoming
Conference. The Vice
Chair position is
newly created, for
one-year terms.
Elections will be
held at the end of
the Conference in
January. More
information can be
found
on the Conference
page
of the website,
or by emailing
conference@artsanonymous.org.
World
Service Conference
Service and Support
Meeting: Saturday,
January 4, 2025,
beginning at 3 pm
ET.
Non-delegate members
who wish to serve
during the
Conference in
January are
particularly
welcome. There is a
notice later in this
newsletter Zoom
registration link
While the Twelve
Traditions guide us
in the primary
purpose of A.R.T.S.
Anonymous, the
Twelve Steps guide
us to recover our
inspiration and joy
in expressing our
creativity. What
better way to
celebrate 2024 than
with a focus on the
Steps that
corresponds with
each of the twelve
months. Below is one
member’s
contribution on Step
Twelve.
Step
12: Having had a
spiritual
awakening as the
result of these
steps, we tried
to carry this
message to
artists, and to
practice these
principles in
all our affairs.
Do I think I’ve
had a spiritual
awakening as the
result of
working the
Steps in
A.R.T.S.
Anonymous? A
part of me has
difficulty
grasping that
perhaps I am
spiritually...
awakened? But
looking at the
“before and
after” let’s me
believe that
yes, there is a
new freedom, and
new joy, not
only in my art
but also in my
life. My
struggles
continue, but
recovery is a
path, and I am
well on it.
In Steps One,
Two and Three, I
learned to
embrace my
powerlessness
and a Higher
Power into my
creative life. I
am powerless
over the fact
that I am an
artist. I grew
in the belief
that as a human
being I came
into this world
wired to create
and that my
Higher Power
made me this
way. It was time
to give up the
twisted ways I
was avoiding my
art and gave
myself
permission
to surrender to
a process led by
a Higher Power.
Steps Four, Five
and Six were
necessary to
learn how to
accept
everything that
I am...
There is a Step
Six Study
Workshop on
Sunday, December
29, beginning at
8 am GMT/9 am
CET/7 pm AEDT.
Step Ten Study
Workshop
Rescheduled:
Due to various
holidays and the
World Service
Conference in
January 2025,
this series of
Step Study
workshops will
resume with Step
Ten on February
14 and 15,
2025.
This event was held
on Sunday November 4
and was hosted by
Abigail B., the
Founder of A.R.T.S.
Here are some of the
testimonials
received in
response. Thank you
to all who
contributed,
including by your
very presence!
"I was surprised
that, as a newcomer
to ARTS Anonymous, I
was asked to share
my creative spaces
for the 40th
Birthday
celebration. I was
honored to be
included! And was
surprised that my
NYC friends found
most inspiring was
living on the land,
a simple farmer’s
life - cooking,
canning, caring for
the animals. It was
revelatory to learn
that my very life is
a creative act.
Never mind of
course, the way i am
learning to
structure my life
with the
encouragement of
ARTS Anonymous is to
make room for for
what I thought of as
“real art” -
writing,
photography, fiber
arts, etc." - Noah
"It was an honor and
pleasure to get to
make a small
contribution, a
music video, to the
40th birthday party
of A.R.T.S. You were
very encouraging
which helped. And I
think my husband
gets kudos for his
work behind the
camera, filming my
hands from above." - Erica
"it was truly an
honor to be part of
this wonderful
celebration and to
share the
meditation, "Come
In," which was
inspired by sitting
in my A.R.T.S. home
meeting a few months
after i joined in
May, 2021. i can
truly say that
A.R.T.S. changed my
life... i'm now
preparing to publish
my 3rd book and have
a growing following
on Insight Timer
where you can find
that meditation.
thank you, A.R.T.S.
and Abby Jo, for
helping me to
reclaim myself as an
artist!" - with
love and gratitude
always, ayreÁnna
"loved the community
aspect of the ARTS
birthday celebration
- it made me feel
part of something
much bigger than me,
and yet so intimate
in everyone’s
sharing and
appreciation of what
ARTS has given to
them. I was guided
to write, sing and
record a short song
for the celebration
- something I would
never have dreamed I
would have done a
couple of years ago,
before I joined
ARTS!" - Adam
– England
"I enjoyed hearing
the ARTS stories and
reflecting on the
ups and downs of our
adventure together.
Don't forget that
giving healthy
service is necessary
for our recovery as
individuals and as a
fellowship. ARTS
saves lives!" -
Love, Nick
(Artist Of Life)
"I loved hearing
Abby Jo reminisce
about the beginnings
of ARTS and seeing
some of the old
photographs. So
glad that she has
been such an
important presence
in the development
of ARTS Anonymous.
She deserves great
accolades for
creating this
magnificent program
that has saved many,
many struggling
artists, including
me!" - Lucia
- Scotland
"My words can only
convey a small
portion of how
"Grateful and
Thankful" I am for
you allowing me to
take part and be
present at the
A.R.T.S. 40th
Birthday Anniversary
on zoom. The party
was Wonderful and
Beautiful, Just Like
You!!!" - Cal
- NYC - flute player
Happy Birthday
"What a privilege to
attend the 40th ARTS
birthday! Seeing
people’s work
stations,
experiencing their
artistic expressions
and sharing the
space with so many
talented folks was a
beautiful treat!
This was even more
meaningful for me
personally as I
share almost the
same age with ARTS,
in a time of my
creative birth!!
Happy many bday
ARTS! And thank you
Abby Jo for bringing
all of us together!
It’s been a pleasure
and a joy to
attend!" - Member
in Arts
"The 40th Birthday
Celebration will
remain a cherished
memory for me. Abby
enthralled and
educated us with
tales of ARTS’
history in the most
engaging and
delightful way. How
creative were those
video shares of
older and newer
members Art,
processes and work
spaces! The
connection I felt
toward all who
attended as we spoke
of how A.R.T.S. has
enhanced, even saved
our lives, is
tangible, heart and
soul felt. Abby, a
job well done and a
life well served!
(Let’s not forget
Jay’s incredible
service for the
event and throughout
ARTS’ history.)" - Leora
"Unfortunately, I
missed the first
hour of the party,
but I enjoyed what I
heard and saw. It
was great to see
people like Nick who
I haven’t seen since
Ocean Grove
conferences. I also
enjoyed, Abby,
hearing your stories
about the early
conferences." - Val
When members
come into
service
positions, and
then go on to
other positions,
an opportunity
opens for
someone else to
fill the space.
In A.R.T.S., as
in other
Twelve-Step
programs, this
is known as
“rotation of
service.” When
practiced, space
opens for others
to engage in
ways that may
further their
own recovery. As
members grow,
the meeting
grows.
Service has a
way of testing
the ego from the
tendency to rule
or control
situations.
Giving service
is another kind
of practice. The
traditions offer
a calm approach
when
participating in
serving a
meeting or
group. Checking
in with the
principles as we
serve assists
our intent to
give in a
healthy way.
This practice
may inspire an
application to
other aspects of
life, including
engagement with
our creativity.
It is possible
that service is
the sacrifice
made as an
investment to
safeguard
recovery, but it
may also mature
and develop our
“contributions
to the world.”
Dates of
the next World
Service
Conference:
January
10, 11, 17 and
18, 2025.
Each
day of the
Conference
begins at 10 am
PT/11 am MT/1 pm
ET/18.00
GMT/19.00
CET/21.00 MSK/5
am AEDT, for a
total of 4.5
hours. (Two
2-hour sessions
with a 1/2 hour
break each day.)
More details and
admission
information are
in the flyer
later in this
email.
Special
Announcement!:
The last
day of the
Conference,
Saturday January
18, 2025 (Day 4)
is devoted to
Topics of
Discussion and
an Open Forum.
The
Topics of
Discussion this
year are
“Participation
in, and Health
of Meetings,”
and “Rotation of
Service
(particularly
for the Board of
Trustees.” Every
A.R.T.S. member
present will
have time given
to them to
express their
thoughts and
feelings on
these topics.
The Open Forum
gives every
member an
opportunity to
share anything
about A.R.T.S.
Anonymous they
wish. Day 4
(Saturday
January 18) of
the Conference
begins at 10 am
PT/11 am MT/1 pm
ET/18.00
GMT/19.00
CET/21.00 MSK/5
am AEDT, for a
total of 4.5
hours. (Two
2-hour sessions
with a 1/2 hour
break each day.)
Admission for
Day 4 - Saturday
January 18 - is
$5.
(Click here and
select the Day 4
only option.)
Delegate/Alternate
Delegate
Information and
Registration:
Are you a NEW
Delegate or
Alternate
Delegate from
your meeting or
group? Or would
you like to find
out more about
becoming a
Delegate or
Alternate
Delegate for
your meeting?
Please
use this
link for
information, and
to register
as a NEW
Delegate or
Alternate.
(If you are
still serving as
a Meeting
Delegate since
the last
Conference,
please provide
updated contact
information in
the same
registration
link if anything
has changed.) As
a Delegate or
Alternate, you
will receive
regular updates
of relevant
meetings for
Delegates and
Alternate
Delegates and
the World
Service
Conference.
What is
Happening at the
2024 3rd Virtual
World Service
Conference in
January 2025?
Click here to
see the Agenda;
a schedule for
each day of the
Conference,
including
motions,
Committee
reports, the
Treasurer’s
Report, Topics
of Discussion,
the Open Forum,
elections for a
new Trustee and
the Conference
Chair and
Conference Vice
Chair, etc.
Click here to
view the entire
Delegate Packet.
Service
Needed in
Support of the
Conference as it
is happening:
Zoom
Technical
Support People,
“Scribes”,
Safety.
Two to three
volunteers for
each position
would be ideal
so that this can
be done around
people’s
schedules and
time zones.
Please see
the Service
needed for the
Conference pagefor job
descriptions.
Email
conference@artsanonymous.org
to sign up, ask
questions, or
schedule a
training.
Guidance
for Meetings and
Delegates:
Contributions to
Attend the World
Service
Conference
Funds raised for
the 2024 Third
Virtual World
Service
Conference on
January 10, 11,
17 & 18 2025
contribute to
the
self-sustaining
nature of
A.R.T.S.
Anonymous as a
whole. Without
the financial
and service
support of the
groups sending
their Delegates
and Alternates,
A.R.T.S. cannot
continue to
exist.
The cost for a
delegation
remains the same
as it has for
the past two
years - $30. (A
“delegation” is
the combination
of all the
Delegates and
Alternates from
one group or
meeting.) Only
one member of
the meeting or
delegation needs
to purchase the
ticket.
The
question has
come up - how do
meetings that
are held by
phone or online
platforms raise
the funds to
send their
delegation to
the Conference?
As meetings are
autonomous,
World Service
can’t tell you
what to do.
However, we can
suggest the
following:
Meeting
members
elect a
member to
serve as
Treasurer
(Alternatively,
select a
trusted
member of
the group).
It is
advisable
that this
member
attends the
meeting
consistently
and is
trustworthy
with
money.
The
Treasurer
needs to
have a bank
account. As
it is
difficult to
set up a
bank account
for a group,
the
Treasurer is
a trusted
servant. One
idea is to
set up a
free account
that is not
used for
other
purposes.
The elected
Treasurer
sets up a
“virtual
basket” for
members to
donate to,
such as
PayPal,
Venmo or
other direct
cash
transaction
applications.
This account
is tied to
the bank
account.
During
meetings, a
7th
Tradition
announcement
is shared,
and the
Treasurer
can post in
the chat, or
announce
over the
phone,
directions
and links
for making
contributions.
Once the $30
is
collected,
the
Treasurer
(or other
trusted
servant)
purchases
the ticket
for the
delegation
to attend
the World
Service
Conference.
The name of
the group or
meeting can
be put into
the “last
name” field.
There is no
need to
provide a
“real” last
name. The
payment
information
is a
separate
step in the
ticketing
process. In
this way the
name of the
person
purchasing
the ticket
remains
anonymous.
All positions
are trusted servants
who volunteer their
skills and service
for the benefit of
A.R.T.S. as a whole
and for personal
recovery. When
volunteering for
World Services, the
ability to maintain
confidentiality,
provide transparency
and cooperate with
others are needed.
Operating within the
principles of the
Twelve Traditions
and Twelve Concepts
of Service of
A.R.T.S. Anonymous
is essential.
Microsoft Office
administrative
skills (Sharepoint,
Outlook, Teams,
Word, OneDrive),
including
providing tech
support to Board
members and
office staff
Zoom recordings
management
Zoom tech
support for
events,
including
staying updated
with skills
WordPress –
website update,
setting up
categories and
logins, training
others, tech
support to
office staff
Statement from
the Professional
Community: art
therapists,
psychologists,
etc. (to create
material for
outreach
purposes)
Outreach
coordinator (or
a committee!)
Video and audio
recording and
editing
(including
someone to
coordinate
projects)
Financial
Officer or Board
Treasurer:
Oversight and
analysis of
accounts and
costs, reports,
budgeting,
advising the
Board and office
staff (does not
include
bookkeeping).
This person
would be welcome
on the Board of
Trustees, but it
is not
required.
Newsletter:
Writing
articles,
soliciting
artwork and
essays,
proofing,
editing
Prison
Correspondence:
supporting those
who are
incarcerated in
their A.R.T.S.
recovery
Event
registrations
and
communications
Research what
other 12-Step
programs do and
develop and
propose policies
for World
Services
(outreach,
literature
development,
publishing and
distribution,
by-laws,
Conference
policies, social
media, low- or
no-cost services
available to
not-for-profits,
translation,
licensing, “fair
use”, etc.)
Legal liaison
with the pro
bono attorney
(this might need
to be a Board of
Trustees
position)
Please email
officemanager@artsanonymous.org
or
chair@artsanonymous,org
with
questions or more
information
A.R.T.S.
Closing Prayer
In closing, I
would like to
say that no
matter how
distanced we may
feel from our
creative
sources, no
matter how long
it has been
since we were in
touch with our
creative spirit,
or how feeble
may seem our
creative
impulses, they
are reawakening
in our Higher
Power’s time,
through this
program and
through our
actions, no
matter how small
or how simple, a
day at a time. I
may not be able
to see my own
growth, or even
to see my
creations as
beautiful, but I
am able to see
yours as
inspiring and
enriching my
emotional,
spiritual and
physical world.
We are not
recovering
merely to hide
our light under
a bushel; our
creative gifts
are a gift. To
celebrate them,
we humbly apply
ourselves,
sometimes to the
work of art, and
sometimes to
play. May
A.R.T.S.
Anonymous teach
us that our art,
celebrated, will
benefit and feed
our own souls
first, and the
world’s second,
for the world
hungers as much
for this beauty
as for food. We
meet here
together to feed
this deeper
hunger.
