Penland Line
DEVELOPMENT: CAPABILITIES, POSSIBILITIES, RESULTS
ANNUAL FUND DRIVE
The 1994 Annual Appeal has raised almost $64,000 so far
this year, a 50% increase over the total amount for last year.
For the first time, we gave donors the opportunity to
designate particular projects. While most Friends ofPenland
indicated general operational support, $5000 was desig
nated for Craft House Renovation, $1,000 for accessible
housing and about $17,000 for the glass studio. Friends of
Penland through May 31 are acknowledged in this issue.
All other contributors will be listed in the winter issue.
The Craft House renovation was completed in time for the
Spring Concentration with the last-minute help of a great
many neighbors. Core students, scholarship students, and
staff. The building was insulated for year-round use, all the
plumbing was redone and the bathrooms completely
replaced, several new sleep spaces were created in the
dormitories, and the building was partially rewired. In
addition the second and third floors were painted and new
curtains were made. The cost for the project was $34,000.
THE BILL BROWN CLASS STUDIO
Drawings are complete, contractor bids are due, the
fundraising committee is active, and the excitement is
mounting for the start of construction of the Bill Brown
Glass Sfiidibrriamed tb honor the contributions bfPenland’s
second director, who was responsible for establishing the
glass program at the school. The first glass studio was built
in 1965 when Bill Brown contacted Harvey Littleton
'vho had begun a studio glass program at the University of
Wisconsin. Harvey responded by sending a student. Bill
^oysen, who accepted the challenge to build a 20-ft. by
lO-ft. building ofhomosote panels and to equip it for $400.
Exactly thirty years later in May of 1995, the Bill Brown
Studio will open its doors to welcome the Glass Arts
Society, which will hold its twenty-fifth anniversary meet-
mg in Asheville and Penland. The Bonnie Willis Ford
Studio, built in 1976 and in use today, will provide space
for the expansion of iron and sculpture.
The fundraising goal is $360,000 which will include
equipping the building and providing air maintenance and
heat recovery systems. Approximately half that amount has
been raised or pledged to date. The proceeds from the sale
e*fglass art in both the 1993 and 1994 Benefit Auctions will
he applied to the studio. That figure was $60,000 last year
^nd the hope is that this year’s auction results will show an
^qual amount. Gifts and pledges from the Board of Trust
ees already tops $60,000 and the remaining $60,000 has
eome from individuals and foundations.
A full report listing individual, corporate, and foundation
•honors will be published in the winter Penland Line. All
^bose who have donated $500 or more will find their
•^ames sandblasted in glass when they visit the studio and
^hose who donate $5,000 or more will be invited to a glass
''weekend in the fall of 1995 when they will have the
opportunity to try their hand at blowing.
Members of the Glass Fundraising Committee are Drewry
Nostitz and Mignon Dunn (co-chairs), Susan Larson,
John and Sharon Nygren, Richard Ritter, Ruth Sum
mers, and Bill Watson.
KENILWORTH CARDEN TOUR
John Cram, owner of New Morning, Bellagio, and Blue
Spiral 1 galleries in Asheville, opens his nine-acre
Kenilworth Gardens to the public once each year with the
proceeds going to a selected organization. This year, John
designated the Bill Brown Glass Studio to receive the
funds. Volunteers from Penland welcomed visitors to the
garden, took tickets, and served refreshments, and the
Penland residents and other artists had work on exhibition
throughout the garden. In addition to making a significant
contribution to the studio, John gave Penland the oppor
tunity to be associated with an event of artistry and beauty
which provided excellent exposure in the Asheville area.
FUNDRAISING COMMITTEE
The work of the development office is guided by a
committee of the Board of Trustees headed by Susan
Larson. Other members ofthe committee are Lisa Ander
son, Philip Blumenthal^ Clyde Collins Jr., Mignon
Dunn, Libba Evans, Heidi Hall Jones, Susan Parker
Martin, and Kay Young.
A subcommittee on Planned Giving met in Winston-
Salem on May 31. Members are Terri Davis, Weston
Hatfield, Susan Larson, and Mike Page. Penland School
is the beneficiary of one major bequest, the Haun Trust,
and from time to time receives other bequests which are
usually unexpected. It is the responsibility of this advisory
group to help develop a brochure to assist those who are
considering including Penland in their wills. Other planned
activities are a training session for the Board and a mailing
of a letter and brochure to long time supporters of the
school. We would welcome ideas from readers or ex
amples of similar mailings from other institutions.
jACK NEFF MEMORIAL
Plans are underway to construct a new salt kiln at the Barns
for use by Penland Clay Residents as a memorial to Jack
Neff. To date $1,800 has been contributed for the project.
There have also been in-kind contributions of brick and
offers of labor once the construction begins.
SCHOLARSHIP AUCTIONS
The last Thursday night of each concentration and sum
mer session is the student scholarship auction. Work
donated by students and instructors is sold in a partytime
mood which is both about having fun and raising money.
So far this year, $23,890 has been raised in four auctions.
Thanks to all who donated, and all who bought!
NINTH ANNUAL BENEFIT AUCTION
Among the work which will be offered at the Ninth
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Annual Benefit Auction on August 13 is a piece of
handmade furniture which really fits the definition of
unique. It is the first and only piece coUaboratively de
signed and built by Wendell Castle and Garry Knox
Bennett, two of America’s most respected furniture de
signers. The buffet table was made at Penland during a
professional-level class with these two artists.
Approximately 65 sculptural and functional pieces in
wood, clay, glass, jewelry, iron, and two-dimensional
prints, photographs and drawings will be auctioned by
Fred Kessler and his assistants on Saturday afternoon,
August 13. An additional 45 works will be sold through a
silent auction that morning.
The festivities begin on Friday, August 12, at 6:00 for
patrons and artists with a Lucy Morgan Dinner in the Pines
with a menu typical of Penland’s early days. From 7:00 to
9:00 there will be a reception, music, and an exhibition of
work for the auction which will feature brief gallery talks
by several of Penland’s artist trustees: Rob Levin, Harvey
Littleton/Marthe LeVan, Clarence Morgan, Jane
Peiser, Richard Ritter, Mary Ann Scherr, and Bob
Trotman.
Saturday morning, the patrons are invited to Bagels at the
Bams, a continental breakfast with the Penland Residents
from 9:00 to 10:30. The preview of work and the silent
auction will continue throughout the morning until noon,
when luncheon will be served under the tent. The bidding
begins about 2:00.
Admission for the luncheon and auction is $75 per person.
Patron events, including the luncheon and auction, are
$150 per person. Anyone interested in attending should
call Caren Brosi at 704-765-2359.
Funds raised by the auction are used primarily for studio
equipment and maintenance. This year all of the proceeds
from the sale of glass art will be applied to the constmction
ofthe Bill Brown Glass Studio, scheduled for completion
in May 1995.
Bennctt/Castlc table
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