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AMERICAN CRAFT
COUNCIL/
SOUTHEAST
Our thanks to all of you in the community
who helped make the ACC/SE Conference
at Peirland such a success. There were
166 registered whicli included 19 instruc
tors and panelists, making it one of the
largest of these annual conferences. The
opportunity to visit studios in the area
was considered an important part of the
Conference during the planning stage and
it certainly proved to be the case. .
Saturday evening we had a 60th birthday
celebration for Penland. Hunter Kariher
and Bill Brown shared the honors in mak
ing the first cut in the delicious birthday
cake which Nita Forde baked for the
occasion. Vina Schemer, Director of the
ACC/SE Assembly, officiated as the
official cake cutter assisted by her board
members. The party continued with a
dance called by Dudley Culp and attended
by lots of friends and neighbors along with
the conferees.
There were a variety of events and all were
well attended. Workshops were available
in clay, computers, fibers, glass, iron,
metals and wood. Paulus Berensohn,
Walter Nottingham and Gerry Williams
shared their thoughts on what craftspeople
might have to say about caring for our
endangered planet; Joan Byrd gave a pre
view of her forthcoming book on Penland
Glass, Meade Andrews offered movement
classes before breakfast and at 5:00 each
day and there were plenary sessions in the
tent each evening.
About fifty participants availed themselves
of tlie opportunity for individual critiques
and several dozen brought work for the
Shared Critique with Cynthia Bringle. Ray
Pierotti from the Hambidge Center set up
the Instructor's Show.
Since the conference, we have received
many letters of appreciation for the week
end and many ended with some variation
on the theme, "I can't wait to get back to
Penland." m
We'd like to share the good news of
community folk but we have to hear
about it first! Please send anything
you want passed along in the Penland
Line to Jon Ellenbogen, Penland
School, Penland, NC 28765. Thanks.
AUCTION REPORT
The guests, patrons and artists who participated in the activities of the Fourth Annual Benefit
Auction weekend almost escaped the rain that kept Penland staff, students and instructors with wet
feet for most of the summer.
Friday morning began with a shower, but moved into a glorious afternoon and evening for the
open studios and patron party.
Alana Barkley managed the open studios where Ken Sedberry (clay), Rob Levin (glass), Sydney
Scherr (metal), Philip Baldwin (iron), Randy Shull (wood) and Tim Veness (fiber) demonstrated
their crafts. Persis Grayson was to join Tim, but we got her so busy making labels for auction pieces
and name tags that we forgot to send her up to the studio!
The patron party was an enormous success. Each patron received a colorful goblet blown by
Judson Guerard. The fellowship crew and Nita presented attractive and yummy hors d'oeuvres.
Contributing artists, local community and Penland friends enjoyed a warm reunion.
Saturday morning began with promise, but the weak sunshine eventually was choked out by those
all too familiar gray clouds. Two hundred and sixty-five guests sat down to the delicious and
plentiful luncheon prepared by head cooks Marsha Owen, Kathryn Gremley and their volunteer
staff.
As the last table was served dessert, auctioneer Fred Kessler took over by announcing the winners
of the 34 works in the Silent Auction. Fred managed to raise $49,177 in just under two hours
despite the rumbling thunder which progressed to an impressive storm before the bidding was
completed..
During a break in the bidding, Susan Larson presented to the Stanford's a piece by George Kokis
which has been commissioned by the Board of Trustees in appreciation of the Stanfords' contribu
tion to Penland. Joy accepted the work with Jonah standing in for Verne who had already gone on
to his new position in Hawaii.
As usual we learned a few things that didn't work-like serving the first course instead of sticking to
the buffet style throughout, and not closing the Silent Auction in a clear and proper manner. These
"bugs" along with the entire auction experience will be evaluated by the board and staff as we plan
for next year.
Three major factors continue to make the auction a rewarding experience, both monetarily and
spiritually: the generosity of the artists who donate their work; the Board volunteer, Jane Kessler
this year, who organizes the artist donors; and the overwhelming core of volrmteers who help put
everything together. It was hard work, it was fun and we made money. THANK YOU!
AUCTION PATRONS
Dudley & Lisa Anderson
Sandy Berlin & Leslie Kooyman
Dick Blomberg & Dorothy Riley
Philip Blumenthal
Larry Brady
Colin & Elaine Cigler
Skip Dunn & Mignon Durham Dunn
Peek & Susie Garlington
Persis Grayson
Marie Ham
Garnet Hughes & Donna Moran
Bobby Kadis
Dr. & Mrs. Leeves McCarty
Melissa Peden & Wynne Clark
Clarence & Annmarie Pittman
Harry & Tut Riddick
Luther & Renita Stroup
Joan Thalheimer
Michel Tournadre & Sean Holden
Paul Welder
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PENLAND SCHOOL / PENLAND, NC 28765 / 704-765-2359 PENIAND