Oklahoma City 2009 –
Centennial Conference
“Explorations in Change: Architectural Art Glass
and Disaster Restoration.”
by Katei Gross
“One
of the most impressive SGAA meetings I have ever attended.”
“It
will take me some time to sort out all the layered images and emotions
of this experience – the earmark of a successful meeting.”
“Everyone in the organization was just amazing!”
“I
loved Gordon Huether (the Keynote Speaker).”
“I
left this meeting really up with a true feeling of excitement for the
future of the glass arts.”
With
one of the main topics of the conference centered on disaster
restoration with coverage over every major disaster from 9/11, to the
Oklahoma City bombing to Katrina, it could have been a depressing event.
Instead we were witness to the courage, resilience and determination of
the American people. It was wonderful to see how studios have worked
with committees across the country to rebuild what has been lost by
fire, flood and the actions of man. We learned a valuable lesson on how
to work with those who have lost everything, their world now reflected
in pieces of shattered glass, ash and mud. Our gratitude to Martin
Rambusch, Rambusch Decorating Company; Roy Loman, Loman Studio; Jules
Mominee, Mominee Studios; Cynthia Courage, Attenhofer’s Stained Glass,
and Kathy Jordan, The Art of Glass.
Also
very exciting were the wonderful works presented by Ellen Mandelbaum and
Kathy Barnard. Their work is pushing the edge of contemporary glass
using traditional techniques in very new and inspiring glass
presentations. Ms. Barnard also spoke about the different approaches she
has to working with a committee to create long term relationships with
her clients. Speaking of contemporary, Gordon Huether, our keynote
speaker, was met with a standing ovation at the end of his lecture. He
threw open the doors to incredible new possibilities in the
architectural glass arts.
One of
the most exciting events was the announcement of the next step in
planning the permanent home for the Stained Glass Association of America
and the Stained Glass School. Grants have been applied for and the
membership was presented with a possible concept for the new building.
Many decisions are still ahead of us but the membership was thrilled and
showed their enthusiasm for the work being done.
Art,
art and more art: our tour this year included the First Presbyterian
Church, filled with generations of Willet windows. We also visited
Deaconess Hospital which features installations by Karen Hendrix. Then
it was off to the museums. The Oklahoma City Art Museum houses a
wonderful collection of contemporary, interactive and expressionist art
and is also home to the largest collection of Chihuly in the United
States. When in Oklahoma, one must visit the National Cowboy Museum.
This is a serious and massive collection of incredible Western,
Southwest and Native American art.
We
would like to thank all of the companies who participated in our first
Sponsor’s Showcase. The members unanimously want to see more sponsors
displaying their products and available to speak with conference
attendees next year. Everyone liked the displays being located in the
lecture room rather than off in a tradeshow hall. During breaks, members
eagerly took advantage of their presence by admiring products, asking
questions, and watching videos and power point presentations at sponsor
tables.
The
conference concluded with a beautiful but emotional memorial to Karen
Hendrix entitled “The Heart of an Artist” by Editor, Richard Gross.
Karen was our conference host but passed away in December of 2008. Her
presence was there at the conference with more than 25 members of her
family and friends in attendance. All of her hard work could be felt –
for the conference, for the Association, as a past president, and as an
incredible artist. The gift of her art and of her smile will always be
with us.
The
SGAA Annual Summer Conference for 2010 is already being planned. We will
be meeting in Kansas City, Missouri, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Mark
your calendars for Kansas City 2010 - June 28 through June 30, 2010.
Pre-Conference Classes will be held on June 26th and 27th.
|
