Kansas City Conference

[glassheritage]

having let the dust settle, would like to see any comments that anyone has on the KC conference ... either post here or email me directly atjohn@glassheritage.com

looking forward to hearing from you

John Watts
Conference Chair

[jack]

I thought the Summer Conference went very well.  This was the 101st Annual Conference; and it was historic in serveral ways!  The purchase of property by the Stained Glass School, a permanent headquarters for the SGAA, the teaching of the first classes ever at the property, the reception and support we received from the city under the "big tent", and so much more...the pre-conference classes, the seminar speakers, Andy Young's presentation, the food, fellowship and meeting new attendees...from all over the US as well as New Zealand, Costa Rica, and South Korea!  What a fantastic time!! 

And what a fantastic fundraiser Jim Piercey came up with!  We have opportunities to make that so successful that we can't even imagine its impact on the SGAA!

As we work to further education in the art of stained and architectural glass, the announcement of a new Apprenticeship program; so new (and current employees) can receive documentation for their skills and receive certification for doing so.  We must continue to meet the needs of our members. More classes at Conference; year-round classes at our School; and affordable Conferences are all essential to meet our goals.  I know all of this will be addressed at next year's Summer Conference in Syracuse.

We have opportunities!!  We have trust and respect.  I expect the SGAA to make Syracuse the best Conference ever.  Thanks for your hard work!  And all of the rest of our members, teachers and staff that made the Kansas City Conference a success.

[JRDurr]

A short over view of the conference is on Laura Goff Parham's blog  at State of the Art Inc.  This conference was jamed packed with vital information to all levels of the art glass world. Having been the moderator for the lead symposium I felt that the panel did a great job of presenting the new EPA rules on lead dust in homes and how it could and will impact our business. The health and safety committee will be keeping the SGAA and the rest of the glass community up to  date as to the latest developments.
It was fun being apart of the first people to conduct a session on the new property. It was also a little intimidating realizing that I was privileged to be standing on the shoulders of all of those  who have woked so hard to make the SGAA what it is today.  As people explored the new digs the attendees enjoyed Jim Piercy's class on mosaic. Jim drove his equipment to KC from his studio in Orlando. Thank you roomie. Richard Gross gave sessions on the construction of web sites from his office within the SGAA HQ. Since I presented three sessions on stone setting of stained glass I did not get to the other sessions and would like to hear from others as to how the sessions were received.
Aspects of my session may be expanded in Syracuse.
Stay tuned  as more information on the Syracuse 2011 conference develops.   


JRDurr