A letter to our membership

from Ardra K. Hartz

  
 

The American Glass Guild was once merely a vision, but now it is a thriving education-centered organization with a wide member base and increasing outreach as well an influence. THANK YOU for being one of those members ! Have you seen the list of presentations scheduled for our Buffalo Conference in July? I don't believe I've ever seen a more comprehensive or impressive list ! Check some of them out:

  • 30 Years in the Trenches
  • Austrailian Glass
  • Computer Techniques
  • The Internet Age
  • Silk Screening
  • Glass Selection
  • Designing
  • Conservation
  • The works of Specific Artists
  • Glass Installations in Specific Locales
    • ( And, there's even more.....)

While the evening news keeps telling us of economic challenges, I believe this is exactly the time for stained glass studios to be enriching our contact base, our inner wells of creativity, and our knowledge level so that we can be poised for the next growth phase. Remember, there have been churches needing windows or window restoration since Medieval times ! ! ! And glasswork enjoys more public / commercial installations than ever before as well. So I actively encourage you plan on coming to Buffalo; bond with, grow with, and celebrate glass art with everyone else. ( Air fares are very attractive right now! )

Here is a link to the conference registration: http://www.americanglassguild.org/conference2009/registration2009

Finally, I URGE you to donate something to our James C. Whitney Scholarship Auction. On my way to visit my son in the Detroit area, I stopped off at Whitney Stained Glass Studio a few months before Jim died. Although he told me he 'felt like road kill', Jim Whitney was no quitter. He was THERE at his desk, reviewing, looking ahead, making calls, encouraging employees, It is that attitude that we can honor and emulate. Tough times? Well, show up anyway, and stay busy making good things happen.

E-mail me and tell me what you will donate to this year's auction: dejavu5@earthlink.net

I'll see you there!

Ardra

Ardra K. Hartz is a three-year member of the American Glass Guild, serving on its Education Committee and Finance committee, and the 2009 annual AGG James C. Whitney Scholarship auction committee chairperson.