Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1530961
THE ARTISAN SPRING 2025 • 5 My Dearest Local 706 Community, By the time you read this edition of The Artisan, we will have survived another SoCal winter (50 degrees Fahrenheit: "You call that winter?!!" "Hahahaha," said The Boston Globe). The holidays will have come and gone as we usher in a new year … the Year of the Snake. And just around the corner, the 12th anniversary of the MUAHS Guild Awards! This year's awards will be packed with excitement, laughter, and electricity. Many of you will be "dressed to the nines," while others will be "dressed to the tens"!! Many will come as their usual dashing selves, but a new dress, shoes, and a handbag, or a new tux/suit, haircut, and a close shave always make everyone look and feel quite dapper, jaunty, ravishing, sleek, classy, sexy, and downright gorgeous. Who doesn't love the chance to get dressed up and go to a soirée filled with the finest make-up artists and hair stylists in the entertainment industry, famous TV & movie stars, celebrities, music, fine foods, cocktails, and awards galore, all presented at the Fairmont in Century City. This is a much-needed event again this year, and it will be fantastic! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!! Please come and CONGRATULATE the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD recipients: Make-Up Artist TODD McINTOSH and Hair Stylist PETER TOTHPAL What an honor to receive the LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS at the 2025 MAKE-UP ARTISTS & HAIR STYLISTS GUILD AWARDS. The MUAHS Guild Lifetime Achievement Award honors one make-up artist and one hair stylist annually at our gala, who has/ had an extraordinary spectrum of acclaimed work, exceptional contributions to the entertainment industry, and outstanding service to their union and/or their craft. "Mistakes are part of the dues one pays for a full life." –SOPHIA LOREN As members of IATSE Local 706, we have no control over people, places, or things. We only have control over ourselves and our reactions to any situation. While this is an extremely rewarding career that we all have in a multitude of ways … and yet, we do not have control over many events that happen, the Writers Strike and the SAG-AFTRA Strike, to name a few. Unfortunately, we were collateral damage of those two strikes and our members are still trying to navigate the waters of runaway productions; not only are productions moving to other states, but to other countries throughout the world. We are banking on the new tax LOCAL PERSPECTIVE by Karen J. Westerfield Business Representative, I.A.T.S.E. Local 706 incentive that our governor is putting together and (fingers crossed). It will be approved in June or July of 2025. But, in the meantime, what can WE do?!! Be Proactive: When IATSE starts helping to pass the new tax incentive through, join us to make that happen. Volunteer for a Local 706 event; attend the General Membership Meetings; go to a make-up or hair craft event; or just come to the 12th Annual MUAHS Guild Awards extravaganza!! Network, meet new people, HAVE FUN!! Be PROUD to be union, be PROUD to be IATSE, because YOU ARE THE UNION—YOU ARE IATSE— YOU ARE LOCAL 706, THE MAKE-UP ARTISTS & HAIR STYLISTS GUILD The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, its Territories and Canada (IATSE) acknowledges that while we all face barriers to our success, there are those among us who face barriers that are more substantial and entrenched than others. We call upon all to identify, minimize, or erase obstacles that are within our control to make a more equitable pathway to unionism, leadership, and equality. It has truly been an honor and privilege to be the first woman and person of color to be elected as the Business Representative of IATSE Local 706, since we chartered in 1937 (88 years ago). This event has blazed a path for the next Business Representative, Cheryl Eckert. She is coming in as the second woman Business Representative in Local 706's history. Please take the time to support and get to know hair stylist Cheryl Eckert as our new Business Representative. The new leadership needs your unwavering devotion and willingness to support them while they find their own path to success. "WELCOME to the NEW OFFICERS & BOARD MEMBERS of IATSE LOCAL 706! As for me, the main goal was to obtain parity in pay and IAP benefits for hair stylists under the Basic Agreement. And just imagine, it only took 30 years to come into fruition!! No matter where you are—no matter who you're with—no matter what you're doing—take pride in being YOU!! In Solidarity and Unity ALWAYS, Karen J. Westerfield