Small Set Backs

Ever have one of those days where things just don't seem to be going in your favor? Even things you've done 1,000 times before with ease and success just don't work out?

It's been like that for me these last couple days. It started first thing yesterday morning... I went out to the studio to put a coat of polyurethane on the steel and wood pieces for my tile plaques so that they would be ready for the 2nd coat by the time I got back from the gym/errands. It was about 7:15am and just as I was feel great about being so efficient, I somehow managed to knock the can of polyurethane over - spilling 1/2 of it all over me and creating a giant puddle on the floor. It was such a huge sticky mess! Ugh!

The setbacks continued today - again with my tile plaques. After all the polyurethane dried, I glued the steel and wood together, and then (after that was dry) glued the tiles to the steel. (Just like I always do.) While I was gluing the plaques together, I ran out of one tube of silicone and had to switch to a new one. Well, for whatever reason, none of the plaques I glued with the 2nd tube dried last night! I only had about 15 completely finished, and the other 60 or so will have to be redone! Again, a sticky mess! Ugh.

Here's a picture of the Tile Plaques awaiting scraping and then re-gluing. Fun. Fun. I did manage to get the few finished ones shipped out to Curve Studios to help restock my inventory there.

Hope your day is going smoothly,
Meagan

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California Anyone?

My husband and I are going to California this fall, and I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions on what not to miss. I've never been to CA, so it will all be new and exciting to me. We're flying in to San Francisco and staying in that area mostly, but then driving down the coast for a brief visit with friends in Santa Barbara/LA.

Do you know of any art galleries, fun activities, hikes, or tasty places to eat?

Cheers!
Meagan

Meanwhile, in the Studio

What a crazy week this has been! Somehow, between helping to spread the word and support for Arrowmont and enduring the slow, lingering Tropical Storm Fay, I still managed to get some work done. A Save Arrowmont blog has been established and is providing everyone with updated information as it become available.

My piece for the HandMade House at the Ramble is finished! It will be heading up to Asheville,NC and installed for a Parade of Homes showcase in October. There were several technical concerns I had with the construction of this piece, but everything work out perfectly. Specifically, it's getting installed onto a brick wall and the client only wanted to drill holes into the morter, not the brick. So, I had that to consider when deciding where to grid the screw holes.

I also switched gears this week to glass work. (So far I've only talked about clay on my clay-and-glass blog.) But I have a line of dichroic, cast and fused glass pendants that I've been making for about 6 years now.

Here's the first step in the process. The colored sheets of Bullseye art glass are stacked inside steel molds and then heated to about 1725 F. They're then sliced, fired again, shaped, polished, fired again, and then wrapped in wire. I'll post pictures of these steps as I get to them in the next couple weeks or so.

This is what they'll look like when I'm finished. I'm still trying to figure out how to get good portfolio images of these, so if anyone has any suggestions , Please, Please share!

Hope everyone has a great weekend. And that you're at least getting some sunshine!

Best,
Meagan

The Official Pi Beta Phi Statement.

On July 28, 2002, I stood on the Parkway in Gatlinburg, TN nervous and excited about my first experience at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.
I had now idea how much my life was about to change.

The following statement and link were posted today on the Pi Beta Phi Fraternity website.

"Elementary School and Arrowmont to Benefit From Sale of Gatlinburg Property

Grand Council announced that Pi Beta Phi Elementary School located in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, will be the recipient of a $1 million gift, which is to be used for an endowment or to establish a foundation. Pi Phi has also clarified their intentions for Arrowmont School of Art and Crafts. Contingent on the contract as currently written the crafts school stands to receive up to $9 million from the Fraternity. For this and other information concerning the sale of the Gatlinburg property read the FAQ."

Needless to day, I was disappointed with this news. I suppose all change is a part of life though.

I am anxious to hear what plans Arrowmont has for moving forward. Again, thank you to everyone for your emails, letters, phone calls, and signatures in support of the livelihood of this school!

Sincerely,
Meagan


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Insight from a Pi Phi

I received the following email and (with the permission of the anonymous Pi Phi writer) wanted to pass it along...

"I saw your post and thought I would write you - The "It's only the land vs. Future of Arrowmont" is a calculated ploy by the Grand Council to get the Artistic community off their backs - do not fall for this. They have 2 members (Emily Tarr and Karen Price) who sit on the Board of Governors for Arrowmont. David would have to answer to the Board anyway. They have not been upfront with information and I hardly think selling the land out from underneath Arrowmont constitutes a good faith attempt to "help" the school- they are hiding behind confidentiality agreement etc. - it is not pretty. This is something that the community, artists and right-thinking Pi Phis must stand united on to even have a chance of success- they are very calculating...do not let them split you all up. There is still time to help Arrowmont later if the worst happens, but so not let that distract you now. Thanks for listening."

Thank you to everyone who has already signed the petition! We have over 1,000 signatures and there's still time to sign, pass it along, or send your thoughts in an email before the board meets on Friday!

Best,
Meagan

Pave Paradise and Put Up a Water Park?!?

I want to thank everyone for the overwhelming response we've been receiving regarding the sale of property leased by Arrowmont! There has been an amazing show of support. Thank you!

If you haven't done so, and are interested, here is the link for the petition that is being circulated.

I will do my best to pass along updated information as it becomes available to me. My current understanding is that the Grand Council of Pi Beta Phi views the sale of the property independent of the future of Arrowmont; that Arrowmont's future is beyond their control and that it is up to the Arrowmont Board to determine that future.

Does Pi Beta Phi have any responsibility or accountability for the future success (at least in the short term) of Arrowmont? Is it reasonable for Pi Beta Phi to sell this property without consideration of the impact? I suggest that you also write the Arrowmont Board with your questions and views on the subject, and to ask what they are doing to ensure the future of Arrowmont.

Below is the email address for David Willard, Director of Arrowmont. I am currently working on an email list for then entire Arrowmont Board.

dwillard@arrowmont.org

Thank you again for your support and dedication to the arts!

Sincerely,
Meagan

More for Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

I was able to get more contact info for the Pi Beta Phi Grand Council. Please, please, write to all of them and voice you opinion regarding the potential sale of the land that houses Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts!

Grand President – Emily Russell Tarr GP1@pibetaphi.org or emilyt@windstream.net
Grand Vice President Collegians – Susan Kingsley Robinson GVPC@pibetaphi.org
Grand Vice President Alumnae – Mary Loy Tatum GVPA@pibetaphi.org
Grand Vice President Communications – Karen Shelton Chevalier
GVPCom@pibetaphi.org, (703) 280-1307 (fax)
Grand Vice President Finance – Karen Consalus Price, GVPF@pibetaphi.org
Grand Vice President Membership – Luellen Clymo Smith GVPM@pibetaphi.org
Grand Vice President Programming – Linda Noel Ibsen GVPProg@pibetaphi.org or Lnibsen@aol.com