 | President's Letter to the Affiliates January 2004 |
|---|
|
Dear Affiliates, As I write this, the 2004 ABANA Conference in Richmond, Kentucky is only two months away. Shortly, it will be "pack your bags time" in order to not miss out on a great time for learning and growing. The theme of "Design and Build" for this year's conference is being carried throughout the conference planning. Demonstrators will emphasize design in the project as they show you how to build it. Three great nights of lectures are planned. Albert Paley will give lectures Wednesday and Thursday nights. Friday, right after dinner, Alfred Habermann will lecture, with a panel discussion afterward where you will be able to ask questions. An opportunity not to be missed! The Patient Order of Meticulous Metalsmiths will also be exhibiting their magic. Interactive demonstrations are planned by Terry Clark and Peter Parkinson, who will spend their first day in the classroom, working with members to sharpen their design skills. Pack a sketch pad if this tickles your imagination. Selected designs will be built at their demo site Friday and Saturday, with audience members helping with the work. An opportunity just like "Traveling to England to work with two respected smiths, without the time/ airfare expense?" WOW! A teaching station will be operating with "Hands On" opportunities for forging with the experts. Power hammer vendor Dean Curfman will host Uri Hofi at his site demonstrating his unique designs in steel. Vendor Tom Clark will have the renowned Alfred Habermann working on a chosen design project. A great opportunity to see two icons of the craft at work! Visit the ABANA website at http://www.abana.org/membership/conference/ to see the complete list of demonstrators and events, interactive sessions to ask questions and share comments with panelists, a gallery tour on design… the opportunities seem limitless from here! And not enough can be said to thank all the volunteers who make this possible…Thanks to all! ABANA Board member and 2004 Conference Chair Dave Koenig has worked tirelessly with a dedicated group of volunteers to insure the conference will be MORE THAN YOU CAN EXPECT! Volunteers? A great group is already on board to set up and staff the conference. But YOU are wanted TOO! I know that each of you will act as a host as you attend and see an opportunity. Who knows? Just being a good host and escorting someone to a demonstration might lead to an invitation to -----? One of the best aspects of serving on the ABANA board is the willingness of office staff, board and volunteers working together to further the education and opportunities for artists in iron and metals worldwide. I am constantly astonished, and MOST appreciative, of the time and teamwork volunteered towards this goal. Let me introduce board member, Dave Mudge as an example of extra efforts-Dave is the proprietor of MAGIC HAMMER FORGE and a founder/ former president of the Louisiana Metalsmiths Association. A "lifelong" artisan in various mediums and an artist/smith since 1985, Dave also enjoys working with web sites and has been a great asset working with ABANA's site. Dave's website is http://www.magichammer.net Dave has assumed responsibility as Affiliate Liaison for ABANA and his reports appear on the ABANA website bi-monthly. But Dave is always looking to do extras for ABANA. The anvil drawing during the elections last year was a program Dave initiated and brought to fruition. Look for a really neat poster available at this year's conference in Richmond. Again, an idea Dave initiated, did all the artist design solicitations, posted and ran the judging web site and then worked with the conference chair to have the posters printed and made available at Richmond. These are just examples of Dave's efforts to "go the extra mile" for you, the members.
One of the great aspects of our organization is every one, from the newest novice to the oldest professional is treated equally and each has something to add. One of the great attractions of ABANA was stated by Francis Whittaker, "No matter how long you are in this, there is always something new one can learn!" And that when Francis was 92 years old!
So be positive and constructive in your actions, share the knowledge, and forge safely.
Don Kemper
|