April 2009
CMAG Officers
President: open
Vice-president: open
Secretary: Wayne Acton
Treasurer: Mandy Allen

Members at Large
Susan and Earl Lovejoy (Membership)
Linda Apodaca (Programs)
Barbara Covey

CMAG Board Meetings
Board meeting are generally held the last Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm. Members are encouraged to attend and contribute. Contact Mandy for location.

How to Reach Us
Website:
www.cmaguild.org
Write:
Creative Metal Arts Guild
P. O. Box 8946
Portland OR 97207

Newsletter
Contributions, comments,
classified ads, display ads
metal_fx@comcast.net
Lyn Simon email

Membership
Please visit CMAG's website:
www.cmaguild.org
Annual membership dues are
$60; students $30

Newsletter

The Creative Metal Arts Guild, a non-profit organization, exists to create a community for metalsmiths, jewelers and metal artists, by facilitating communication, providing information and benefits, promoting a positive image of the creative metal artist and increasing public awareness of the artist's contribution to the community.
Editor's Comments

We’ll be going to our 30th wedding anniversary retreat extravaganza and so will be missing the April meeting. Apparently these things only work if they take place on the precise date. I hadn’t realized that boutique hotels had anniversary suites. But I’m still learning a lot, with a kid in the business. Anyway, I shan’t be writing a meeting report or a program review next month so if there’s somebody out there looking to knock me off as ace reporter, now’s your chance. Doesn’t have to be one person and doesn’t have to be the whole shebang, a few lines about this or that emailed to me will be great. If I get anything, I’ll weave it together somehow. Otherwise, I have a book review I’ve been saving for an emergency so watch out. Wayne

As always the newsletter(s) along with meeting pictures and so forth are available at our 'secret' archive
www.cmaguild.org/picts.html
Contents
Programs
Meeting Report
Program Review
Member News

Announcements
CMAG Show News
Web Stuff
Meeting Times
Programs Go back to contents
April 14, 2009 - GENERAL MEETING PROGRAM
"THE HISTORY OF SYNTHETIC GEMS"
By Bruce McKay

Our member Bruce McKay was invited by the American Chemical Society to make a presentation about the history of man-made gems. He created a highly-regarded PowerPoint program which will be equally of interest to CMAG as it was to the chemists.

Bruce has assembled the history starting in the 1880's about the people who made these gems and how they did it. Included are historical photos of the early machinery invented to produce gems and a discussion about the early mass production in the factories. He also shows us technical drawings of different eras. France was the center of early activity with Frances Verneuil inventing the process to make corundum.

Whether or not you work with stones, this should be a fascinating program.

May 12, 2009 - Program is YOGA FOR JEWELERS & METALSMITHS. Jane Carlsen will teach us ways to have healthier backs, necks and shoulders and to prevent injury.

www.firststreetyoga.com


General Meeting ReportGo back to contents
Report of CMAG General Meeting 10 March 2009

The packed house was called to order and a large number of guests introduced themselves, some of whom I managed to record. Students Shirley Saberace and Chris Steele both attend(ed) Mount Hood CC; Denis Gillum spoke briefly of the metals program at Portland State, and Lisa and Ann are recent grads at OCAC. Denise Holban, who is a recent transplant from Albuquerque attended what I believe is her second meeting. Jerry Cave, a CMAGer from up the mountain at Rhododendron, who frequently attends meetings, related battling this latest blizzard to get into town. Program presenter and CMAGe Kristin Shiga also introduced herself and participated in the general meeting. Introductions are a hectic nightmare for your lowly scribe; I scribble names furiously and can only apologize for my numerous mistakes and omissions.

The highlight of the business meeting was the unveiling of the Spring Show Post Card flyer by Mary Wong. The graphic design of this year’s offering has been ably managed in house by newsletter editor Lyn Simon, in close consultation with the publicity committee, and she received the guild’s kudos for a job well done. The guild- sponsored bulk mailing is now closed to additional addresses, but the post card is available in whatever quantities required for private mailing and for posting and passing out. Get more of them at the April meeting or contact the publicity committee. Private mailers may want to add their own return label to track their success. The guild will not be tracking returns.

Debra Carus, on behalf of the show’s sponsorship committee (and the entire guild), thanked generous members for their donations to help defray show expenses in an economic climate which may prove less than cordial to fundraising.

Members not wishing to manage an entire booth at the Spring Show may place up to three pieces in the CMAG Gallery out front. Cost is much less ($50, I think) and includes the opportunity to staff the counter as a volunteer and interact with the clientele. Contact Linda Apodaca or the gallery committee with your interest.

Upcoming programs are a history of synthetic stone with Bruce McKay in April and Yoga for Metal Smiths in May.

Directories for the current member year are finally available and are in the custody of Susan & Earl Lovejoy, who were also introduced as the new Membership Committee personnel. Your directory is best and most economically obtained at a general meeting: to make other arrangements, contact Susan & Earl.

The Spring Show Education Committee solicits candidate titles for the Reference Book-list used in their booth. Send bibliography for your favorite metal volumes to Katherine Paisley at
paisleystudios@hotmail.com

Mandy Allen reports that the Guild Circle is ‘burgeoning’ despite or more probably due to the coalition between the Museum of Contemporary Craft and the Pacific NW College of Art.

There will be a series of meetings relating to purpose. Greg Wilbur, who is on the panel for at least the first of these, urges your attendance, to influence the burgeoning in a proper direction

.Yours truly presented my pet idea to link the presently private web archive of newsletters etc. to the public website. My contention is that will present at the website a fuller and more interesting depiction of our guild, easily accomplished as they already exist ina post-able electronic format (are indeed already posted, albeit furtively). Objections include security issues (meeting times which are traditionally not publicized, and giving away membership benefits for free). A straw vote rejected the proposal, 12 to 8, which presumably tables the idea.

Mandy Allen reiterated her monthly appeal for volunteers to step forward into guild leadership positions. At present the only officer on deck is Barbara Covey at Treasury. Wayne Acton at Website and e- news, Lyn Simon at Print news, and the Lovejoys at Membership, will staff these essential committees and likely serve as at-large board members. This is definitely not enough people power and filling the positions of President, Secretary and Program Committee is, in my opinion at least, a requirement for the continued operation of the guild. Jesse Vasi seconded Mandy’s appeal.

Barbara Covey reminds all to have a piece ready to contribute to the Silent Auction. Bring them Thursday at the show. Contact her if you need the paperwork sooner or to make other arrangements … Mary Wong showed off two CASA bead contributions and wants more … Lyn Simon had print newsletters, new and not, for distribution … Daniel Baca displayed the copper Joe colored at the last meeting which he(Daniel) had finished, and passed around pictures of his latest projects which are stone topped metal tables … The library has surplus issues of topical magazines for sale - now at four for a buck but you gotta take all four.

A technical question was raised concerning pickling nickel and also mixed silver and steel. Kristin described the solution of hydrogen peroxide, water and (for ferrous) Sparex commonly used. Joe campaigned for the muriatic acid solution he consistently champions. Another question asked for the proportion of granular acid(?) proper for an etching solution. No definite ratio surfaced but Philip noted that trials could be easily conducted starting conservatively and augmenting the solution until the desired result is obtained.

After the break Kristin Shiga enthralled the group with a much anticipated rehearsal of her 2008 Seattle Metal Arts Symposium presentation, “Inspired by Actual Events,” which is hereinafter reviewed.

Respectfully submitted
Wayne
25 March 2009


Program ReviewGo back to contents
Inspired by Actual Events, March 2009
presented by Kristin Mitsu Shiga

The original symposium commission asked Kristin to speak on her “unorthodox way to make a career” as an artist. On reflection she decided that most artistic careers are unorthodox in construction. Her audience on this evening seemed in complete accord, getting things off to a convivial start.

The foundation of the presentation was what used to be called a slide show, the variety and directions of which beggar description. Kristin selects these snapshots of her life, images of her work, illustrations from many sources, doodles and the rest, then combines them into her story in a way which in itself illustrates her artistry.

Particularly striking to me was her brief elucidation of the importance of critical discourse in defining art which arose in connection to her study at OCAC and the thesis she created there for her BFA which consists of pieces created in response to mailed solicitations of daughters on fathers. The result can be currently viewed on her website kristinmitsushiga.com and is definitely worth a visit.

The continuing love of teaching, to which many in our field can relate, formed a continuing theme throughout, from early days staying only a step ahead of the student, to recent workshops at Haystack and elsewhere. Kristin closed on this theme, recounting her journey to the EMMA event in Saskatchewan with Greg Wilbur where artists build a collaboration. Her declaration, “the future of education is collaboration,” was only the final instance of an evening of pithy and eloquent yet genial and inclusive observation and investigation from which all must certainly have benefited. Wayne

Member NewsGo back to contents
Welding Class
By Lyn Simon

Last weekend Lyn Simon and three others attended a 2-day welding class instructed by a local metal sculptor, Rick Gregg. His signature style is structural framing, with partial weld-fill and/or cement addition, sometimes leaving portions of bare framework.

Rick started us out with oxy-acetylene basics... welding small plates together (both sides), to form a platform. He then showed us ways to fill holes (a skill that was put to much use later on). Next on the platform - a vertical framework took shape, supported by cross hatching butt- joints... first two dimensions like a ladder, then adding a third for form. We weld-filled in between the cross pieces, (and repaired those new holes that burned open) o form solid areas. It takes a serious concerted effort of steady hands, intense heat to melt, backing-off heat to cool & bend, and timing the welding rod just right, for a steady flow. The results were finally heat-melted smooth... sort of. Each step gave our creations new personalitie.He also touched on mig welding, useful and decorative cutting torch techniques, and brass rod brazing accents.

I am very excited about this, and caught on readily. It opens up that 3rd dimension for me. I already have the equipment in my shop, and can now expand in a new direction. I just need to find some spare time...

Special message
From Workshop Coordinator Alma Rands

To my great disappointment no one has stepped forth to offer to give a workshop. Therefore, in order to get the ball rolling, I am willing to give some more workshops, provided there is enough interest. On May 23,24, I will give another workshop in Cloisonne enamel. This workshop will cover much of what I gave in previous workshops, plus some new material for those who took the earlier sessions. This will be a 2 day workshop--Saturday and Sunday. The cost will be $75, which includes my special gourmet soup lunch, and all materials needed, except some items which you will find around your house--such as tiny glass jars, and a few other items.

June, 20, 21, I will give a 2 day workshop on Ferric Chloride etching. This is photo-etching using PNP as the resist. The cost of this workshop will be $75, and will include most materials, including the PNP resist, as well as my special gourmet soup lunch. However, participants will be expected to provide their own Ferric Chloride, as it can be re-bottled and used again numerous times. I will have sources of supply for this.

If you are interested in taking either of these workshops, please let me know no later than May 1, so that I can order those supplies, which will be provided by me. Please let me know by phone, (503 644-1286, or email arands@comcast.net, which one you are interested in. If there is sufficient interest I will send you further information, a complete supply list of things that will not be provided in the workshop. Most of these are things you will find around your house.

Not only will you learn a new technique, but you will enjoy socializing with other CMAG members.

MCC and PNCA Community Conversations
By Mandy Allen

March 18th was the first of five community meetings in regards to the upcoming merger of the Museum of Contemporary Craft and the Pacific Northwest College of Art. The meeting was a discussion between the public and a panel representing artists, current and past board members, collectors and the RACC. I was pleased to see about a hundred people in attendance including several CMAG members. The gist of the meeting was that Craft will still be the focus of the museum but Design will also be incorporated. The merger details are currently being worked out by a joint task force and the remaining meetings are the main way the public can voice its concerns and ideas about the process. So I invite you to attend as many as possible.

The Changing Dynamics of Craft and Design
Thursday, April 9, 6:30 pm
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Swigert Commons, 1241 Northwest Johnson Street

Strengthening the Curriculum
Thursday, April 16, 6:30 pm
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Swigert Commons

Redefining a Museum’s Role: A Cultural and Educational Resource
Thursday, April 23, 6:30 pm
Museum of Contemporary Craft

Creative Grid: Building Community Through Collaboration
Thursday, April 30, 6:30 pm
Pacific Northwest College of Art, Swigert Commons

[ed note] An audio 'podcast' (just hit the appropiate link there to play the mp3) is available here:
http://www.museumofcontemporarycraft.org/programs_podcasts.php,
along with a considerable archive of other MCC related recordings.
CMAG Show News Go back to contents
Important Correction

There are I am sure a number of mistakes in the member directory which I recently compiled and I will be trying to get out correction pages as these are pointed out to me. The one in the entry for Debra Carus needs more immediate remedying as it effects her work on the steering committee. The entry should read:

Debra Carus
Elentari Håndverk
12042 SE Sunnyside Rd. PMB 444
Clackamas, OR 97015
www.elentari-handverk.com
971-221-8151
fax: 503.905-1083

I’m apoligize for the errors. Wayne
Jewelry & Sculpture Posters

To ALL CMAG artists:

We would like to represent all CMAG artists work during the Spring Show and hanging posters is one way to do so. If you are interested please bring your posters to the Oregon Convention Center between the hours of 11 am and 5 pm, Thursday, April 23rd, and place them at my booth location (Suzanne Arkless) .

The address is:
777 NE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd (CMAG is in Lobby B).

Please be sure your posters have your name and phone # on the back and are ready to hang. At the close of the show, participating artists will take their posters home, and those not in the show will be collected by Victor Guschov. He will make arrangements for pick up. Thank You.

Suzanne Arkless
360-830-2141
Spring Show Post Cards

Dear Wayne,

Would you mind reminding our members to come and get more postcards at the meeting? Everyone needs to do their part to get the word out by mailing, handing out, posting in business windows, leaving in galleries, libraries, coffee shops, etc. We need to cover every neighborhood in the area with our beautiful postcards!

Thanks to everyone,
Mary Wong

I will be sending an email version of the card to exhibiting CMAGers in a blast. Anyone else who wants it can find it to download as a pdf here or in the show section of the website. The jpg is fairly easily extracted from this file and can be further compressed with PhotoShop or another graphics program. Wayne
GALLERY INVITATION

CMAG members are invited to participate in the CMAG Gallery located in the display space just outside our main room at the Convention Center. This is an opportunity for members who are not able to have a regular booth to be represented in the show. The charge is $50 and you may have 1-3 pieces for sale or not for sale. Your volunteer help is requested but not required. For more information and an application form call Linda Apodaca 503-638-4030. Show dates: April 24 - 26.
On the WebGo back to contents
MCC Newsletter

The Museum Newsletter came early this month so here's a couple samples. More info is available at their website, which is impressive and where a subscription to their newsletter can probably be requested. The first excerpt is their announcement of Thursday’s Community Conversation which Many mentioned. The second is about a long running exhibit. I’ve livened up it’s links so you can get an idea of the web resources MCC gathers together.

Community Conversations
Museum of Contemporary Craft, Pacific Northwest College of Art and panelists from Oregon's creative community invite you to engage in a series of conversations about the anticipated integration of these two institutions. Explore the broader concepts relevant to creating a more vibrant and expanded organization that will strengthen its contribution to the cultural voice and economic vitality of the region. Conversations are moderated by Tim DuRoche, community program manager at Portland Center Stage.

Thursday, April 9, 6:30 pm
The Changing Dynamics of Craft and Design
Pacific Northwest College of Art, 1241 NW Johnson, Portland
Panelists:
Andrew Wagner, editor-in-chief, American Craft magazine
Namita Gupta Wiggers, curator, Museum of Contemporary Craft
JP Reuer, chair, MFA in applied craft and design, Oregon College of Art and Craft (OCAC) and PNCA
Karl Burkheimer, head, OCAC wood department


Mandy Greer: Dare alla Luce

January 22-May 31
Northwest artist Mandy Greer creates her largest and most intricate artwork, extending her sculpture to a room-sized scale. Greer employs humble handicraft processes and materials, executing her work through crochet, braiding, sewing and beading processes that use yarn, beads, shells, feathers and more. Merging the mythical and the mundane, the resulting work intertwines objects and space in an exuberant, sensual and visceral installation. Read more.

See Mandy Greer discuss her work in three videos.
[ed. this only links to MCC on blip. you have to click on Mandy's videos.]
Join Mandy for a crochet-a-thon Saturday, April 4
New Show Guide

Somebody named Larry Hornung sent the guild a newsletter for something called the “New Craft Show News.” So I went there and so far didn’t get infected or extra spammed or anything bad. Nice layout, has show lists and reviews and an artist’s gallery and not too many ads that I noticed. Not sure how they produce geld but on a quick visit they didn’t ask me for any which is wise. Looks like they must have some show reviewing roots but I don’t recognize the name and didn’t find any anticedents in my quick walk about. Fair number of west coast listings but maybe weighted to the other side. Could be useful to some members. The link is:

www.craftshownews.com


Meeting AnnouncementsGo back to contents
Spring Show Dates

The annual extravaganza is scheduled for April 24, 25 & 26.

MONTHLY MEETINGS & PROGRAMS


WHEN: General CMAG member meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month. Door opens at 6:45pm, meetings begin at 7:15pm, and adjourn by 9:15pm.

WHERE: Room 34 at the Multnomah Arts Center, 7688 SW Capitol Highway Portland 97219.

WHAT: Meetings consist of a general business and a short break with refreshments, followed by a program which may be a demonstration of a technique or tool, a slide presentation, a panel discussion, or other presentation of interest to CMAG members. The CMAG Library is open before the meeting and during the break for checking out books and magazines.

WHO: Meetings are open to CMAG members and their guests.

CMAG Webpage