WestCoast Chapter Florida Society of Goldsmiths

February 2010 West Coast Chapter FSG Report 

                Chapter / Workshop Update and Information                    

By Clara Ricker                         

President

WILDACRES:

We have another great lineup of talented instructors for our 2010 WildAcres Summer Workshop scheduled for June 27^th – July 3^rd.  Participants can look forward to fun with forging, shell forming, loop in loop chains, and other exciting classes including blacksmithing. Look for instructions, a detailed list of instructors and class descriptions in early March on our website. Save the date cards will be sent out in early February.  Since our web site is up and running we will no longer be mailing out paper applications.  Print out your application from this web site for mailing at the appropriate time.

In case you are not familiar with the WildAcres Retreat Facility or our WildAcres Summer Workshop, it is nestled in the mountains of North Carolina.   The weather in late June is beautiful with warm sunny days and cool evenings. We offer you six fun filled days with excellent instructors, good food, refreshments and a wonderful artistic experience that you are certain to treasure for years to come.  We present classes that are tailored to meets the needs of metal smiths of all skill levels from master to beginner. WildAcres has great accommodations and looks out at Mt Mitchell. Six days of meals, refreshments, accommodations and comaradie and all for a very reasonable rate. This is the best value for any metals retreat in the country.  We hope to see you there.

 WORKSHOPS:

Tom and Kay Benham will be at Art Center Manatee (209 9^th Street West, Bradenton),  on February 20^th and 21^st for a ”Tool Time with Tom” chasing tool making workshop.  The price is $200.00 for both days.  If you are interested in attending the workshop contact Art Center Manatee at (941) 746-2862 or you can register on line at www.artcentermanatee.org

John Cogswell will be at Art Center Manatee in Bradenton on November 12, 13 and 14 for a workshop.  More information will be on the WC web site in early March.

WC METALS STUDIOS:

WC has three metals studios that we actively and economically support.  Our Board of Directors works hard to search out and engage accomplished artists for workshops at Art Center Manatee, Morean Art Center and Hyde Park Art Center. 

We have signed a contract with the SunTan Art Center, St Pete Beach, establishing our fourth metals studio in the WC chapter area. We are very enthusiastic about this new metals studio and we are now in the planning and development process with this agency.

We have an ongoing relationship with the Florida Craftsman’s Inc.  All WC members can display their creations for sale at the Florida Craftsman’s Gallery in St Petersburg.

WC supports high school metal arts programs, Largo High School and Youth Arts Corp of Pinellas at the Morean Art Center.  We also provide assistance to the Pinellas Technical Education Center.

WC LENDING LIBRARY:

Brenda Harrelson maintains our library of books, instructional CD’s and tapes.

She is in the ongoing process of acquiring new technical CD’s to replace the VHS recorded material. Please let Brenda know if there are books or CD’s that we should purchase for the library.

The library material is available to all FSG members. There is a postage and handling charge for

checking items out of the library. Brenda can be reached at: baubleheaven@yahoo.com