The NEW and IMPROVED MAP website has all kinds of fuctions for getting your information out to the other MAP members and the rest of the world.  There are blogs, member message boards, and a bi-monthly newsletter.

But what I want to talk to you about is the calendar. Anyone visiting the site can see the calendar (it's over there >>>> on the right of the page) AND anyone who is a MAP member can post events to the calendar.

To post an event, you'll need to log-in. If you don't already have an account, and are a digital media artist residing in western North Carolina you'd better just sign up for one right now!

Okay, so you have logged-in. Now click on the "calendar" link on the upper right hand side of the page. You'll see a small red link on the right that says "add to the calendar". From here on it's pretty self explainatory. Just fill in the fields, upload an image, and click the "display this event" button.

Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezey!

I hope you were able to come to our big LAUNCH party last week at the Phil Mechanic Building.  We were joined by over a hundred people including representatives from the Chamber of Commerce, the HUB, the Economic Development Comission, and Congressman Shuler's office. The food was excellent and the beer and wine flowed endlessly (those are our event sponsors logos over there>>). I think we need to find a good excuse to do that every year!

If you signed up to be a new member and haven't heard back from us yet, contact me! There was a little bug in the system that held up the membership applications, I apologize for any delays.

I am still waiting for some photos and video of the event, which I'll post here as soon as we get it. In the meantime, I want to thank all our generous sponsors. Please give them your support, since they are local businesses that support their community!!

Have a computer or laptop that needs a new life?
Western Alliance Center for Independent Living needs old computers to refurbish for its CyberPal program, which provides computers to people who have disabilities.

The program uses volunteers to fix computers. Basic computer training is provided and Western Alliance also collaborates with Mountain Area Information Network to provide Internet service to individuals.

Western Alliance offers an array of services to people with disabilities. They provide four core services including information and referral, independent living skills training, advocacy, and peer counseling. Western Alliance offers a potluck each month to offer people the chance to socialize with other people with disabilities.

The CyberPal Program is in need of computers that have at least a Pentium III processor. All donations are tax deductible, and are accepted free of charge. Laptops especially needed for people who aren’t mobile.

To recycling a computer, contact Mechelle Holt, volunteer program coordinator, at 298-1977 or drop off your donation 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 108 New Leicester Hwy.

It's a new year full of big changes. The MAP has been making positive, constructive changes, though some have been difficult and unexpected. We've been working hard for the last six months to get organized so that we can grow and be an even stronger resource for the Media Arts Professionals in western North Carolina.

As a result, we have a new Interim Director, Taylor Barnhill, whose focus for the next four months will be to create a development and strategic plan for the MAP. Taylor comes to us from a long history of non-profit management. He most recently was the Executive Director of Southwings, a conservation organization that uses volunteer pilots and small aircraft to protect the natural resources and ecosystems of the Southeast. Aside from successfully managing non-profits, Taylor is an architect working on green-built and sustainable designs. He has also produced news pieces and documentaries for local public radio. We are very happy to have him at the helm. 

We would like you to welcome our 6 new board members: Paul Dezendorf, Meegan Kelly, Ron Gordon, Hilary McVicker Margaret Marchuk, and Gordon Smith. They come from a variety of backgrounds with concentrations of Marketing, PR, Fundraising, Development and Community Activism. They are a powerful group of people and we are excited to see what they can bring to the MAP. You can view everyone's bios here. 

As we move into 2009, the MAP will be offering more opportunities for you to get involved with, connect to and give input on the functions of the MAP. Please join us as we create new opportunities, goals, and directions.

Help With Our Website Redesign by Taking Part in Our Survey

The Applied Visualization Lab is working to cultivate and promote the momentum of digital media, information technology, and environmental and entrepreneurial resources in Western North Carolina.

Highlights include two pieces on Water in Western North Carolina: "Impervious Surfaces," which  premiered at the International Symposium on Digital Earth, in Berkeley, CA; and "Drought," which premiered at the Tennesse Valley Corridor Economic Summit in Asheville.

The animated films exemplify the AVL's potential for dynamic collaboration. Along with RENCI, the MAP worked with Asheville companies The Elumenati and Klein Digital to provide stroytelling, an immersive viewing environment, visual effects and animation support.

To learn more about the Applied Visualization Lab in Asheville, visit www.appliedvis.org.