by Richard Gross THE ARTISTS RETREAT At the Elms The 105 th Annual Summer Conference of the Stained Glass Association of America The newly elected board of directors and officers of the Stained Glass Association of America includes (left to right, back row) President Sue Shea, First Vice President Kathy Barnard, Recording Secretary Jennifer Banbury, Director Christie Wood, Second Vice President David Judson, (first row, left to right) Director Jack Whitworth, Director Bob Jones, Financial Secretary Al Priest, Treasurer Bill Klopsch, Director Kristine Nordmyer, and Director Jerome Durr. This year s Stained Glass Association of America Annual Summer Conference introduced an innovative new format that put Stained Glass School classes in morning sessions running on the same days as Conference events in the afternoons and evening. This format allowed Conference attendees to take classes and attend all of the Conference without adding extra hotel nights. Classes offered this year included Concept to Cartoon, with Diane Eissinger; Advanced Enamels, with Jim Berberich; Restoration Painting, with Nick Parrendo; Introduction to Painting, with Jerome Durr and Laura Parham; Laminating, with Bohle America; and Adobe Photoshop, with Bryant Stanton. The 106 th Annual Summer Conference of the Stained Glass Association of America presented a diverse offering of programs. The popular Sponsor s Showcase was back this year, offering a mini trade show to Conference attendees. From creative marketing strategies to committee psychology, and from figure drawing to You Call That Restoration? there were numerous excellent and educational opportunities for Conference attendees. (Opposite Page) The Creation Window, 1957, designed by Robert Frei. This Emil Frei Stained Glass Studio window at Wyatt Park Christian Church, St. Joseph, Missouri, was a highlight of the tour. 28 The Stained Glass Quarterly
The G. Owen Bonawit memorial panel from Stained Glass Resources took first place in the Painted category. Autumn, by Melissa Janda, won third place in the Painted category. 30 The Stained Glass Quarterly
This panel, Rondel ala Klimt, by Diane Eissinger took first place in the Unpainted category. Untitled, by Scott McDaniel, won third place in the Unpainted category. This and opposite page: a selection of entries for this year s stained glass panel competition. A number of people remarked that the overall quality of work presented this year was very high. Copper Willow, by Josephine Giger, won second place in the Unpainted category. The Stained Glass Quarterly 31
Artists at work at one of the life drawing sessions offered at the Artists Retreat. Standing at the easel is Scott McDaniel from Stained Glass Resources; seated left is Andy Young of Pearl River Art Glass, and seated at the right edge of the photo is Bob Jones. Kathy Barnard presented her Butterfly Garden Project installation, and Louis Curiel gave a brief overview of how neon can be used to backlight stained glass; a complete class on this topic will be offered by Curiel at the Stained Glass School next October. At the business meetings, the membership of the Association voted to adopt sweeping changes to the membership categories of the Association. This will be covered in depth in future issues of this magazine, of the SGAA s members-only newsletter, The Kaleidoscope, and on www.stainedglass.org. Former SGAA president Andy Young spoke at the welcome dinner on kiln-formed glass and how his studio, Pearl River Glass Art, is incorporating it into their work to great effect. Nick Parrendo gave a very moving presentation on developing a personal style. While plans for an outdoor movie had to be cancelled because of heavy rain, the movie The African Queen was presented indoors in the ballroom. It was not as charming as an early June evening in Missouri under the Elms gazebo; however, the gourmet popcorn did not get soggy. Excelsior Springs was named for the many mineral springs in and near the town. A century ago, when taking the waters was an international phenomenon that people believed had healing potential, people came to Excelsior Springs from around the world to do just that. The Hall of Waters remains and was a very popular tour at this Conference. 32 The Stained Glass Quarterly
Girl with Braids, a small panel by Janet Zambai, was part of the exhibition. This panel received second place in the Painted category. The Stained Glass Quarterly 33
The Shakespeare Chateau hosted our tour luncheon and featured several stained glass installations as well as incredible handcarved woodwork. The Shakespeare Chateau is a bed and breakfast in St. Joseph, Missouri. 34 The Stained Glass Quarterly
It has been several years since an all-member slide show was a part of Conference events; however, it returned this year with the Sharing Art: Open Floor Discussion. A number of very interesting installations and smaller works were shown by SGAA members. Michael Zimmerman was given a welldeserved President s Award for the extensive volunteer work he has done on behalf of the Association. His dedication should be an inspiration to all; without the work he does, the Conference would not be as good as it is. The comedy improvisation group Comedy City returned to provide entertainment at the Awards Banquet. They appeared at the Awards Banquet event two years ago and were so popular, they were invited back again to present their fast, smart, and (frankly) a little weird brand of comedy improv. Right: the World War I memorial at the historic Mount Mora Cemetery. Above: The Beloved Disciple window at Christ Episcopal Church, St. Joseph. Next year, the Stained Glass Association of America will be visiting Portland, Oregon, where Uroboros Glass Studio will be hosting what promises to be an excellent Conference in a wonderful city. Plans include a business panel, a restoration presentation, a tour of the Savoy Studio, and an in-depth look at Povey and the history of stained glass in Portland, plus much more. Watch for more information on Portland 2015 in coming months. e The Stained Glass Quarterly 35