As I have been trying to get things rolling with the guild I have had many people ask me what the guild is really all about and who is invited to be a part of it. I wanted to share a little of my own vision for the guild. I am sure the guild will grow and morph as things get going and more people participate and help to shape the group.
First of all, who am I? For those of you that do not know me, my name is Melissa Muir. I have lived in Ohio for just a little more than 2 years. When I first moved to the area I began searching for classes to help me take my work further than what I had been able to do on my own. I quickly found that the classes I needed and wanted to take just weren't offered here. I now teach many jewelry classes including wire wrapping and metalsmithing classes at various locations. I was fortunate enough to attend classes at the University of Akron where I studied under some fantastic instructors and worked alongside many talented artists. Working in that environment is one of the reasons that prompted me to start this guild.
If you have ever had the opportunity to work along side other creative people, I am sure you have noticed that their creativity can help breed your own creativity, at least that is how it worked for me. There are so many creative and wonderfully artistic people here in Ohio and the surrounding areas. What would it be like if we had a place, both physical and virtual, to bring all these people together? A place where we can share our talents, knowledge, problems and solutions.
Basically, I am hoping to start a group where EVERYONE helps each other out. When I was at the art school at the University, it was amazing to just go to a place where creativity abounded. It was really neat to bounce ideas off of one another and to see how someone else would come up with a solution to a particular problem or challenge. There are so many creative people here in Ohio and I think that we can bring them together and have an amazing group of talent and resources that can help to promote everyone.
Being relatively new to Ohio, I am not that well connected. I have the gumption and drive to get thing started, but I can't do this by myself. If people are going to sit around and wait for things to get rolling, they are going to be waiting a lot longer than if they jump in and help out by sharing their resources and knowledge also. I only know so much that I can share. This group is not just for jewelry makers, but also metal artists. It is not just for advanced people, but also for the novice who hasn't even made their first piece but would like to start.
Everyone will learn SOMETHING by coming to the meetings or participating on the new forum I have set up. This group will be a source of where to find materials and shops that support the arts. I am hoping to have some sort of demonstration at each meeting as well as a special topic of some sort. This is not a free class, but rather information provided about a certain technique or something like that. If people think they are coming to get a free class from me or others, they will be disappointed. But if they see it as a way to gain more knowledge from others in the field that are willing to share what they know, they will be quite pleased with the way the group is set up. Of course, I am looking for others to help share their knowledge as well, because, like I said, I only know so much.
It is my vision, that when I leave Ohio in a couple of years, this group will be running itself with just the members themselves. I would like to see the group host a gallery show as well as an art fair for the members. I think it would be a fantastic way for the artists and members to help promote their own work while supporting other members of the group by bringing all of our audiences together. I would also like to see the group get to the point where we would be able to bring in special guest teachers and presenters. I think it would be amazing to be able to host these fantastic classes where people now have to travel out of state and sometimes across the country. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have these people come to us?
I also envision this being a state wide thing. I would like to have multiple chapters throughout the state. I know we have people living in Kentucky, Indiana and Pennsylvania that are eager to join and would like something within a couple of hours drive. I have high hopes, but it will take much more than just me doing this. I just hope I can get you and others to catch the vision with me and help me make it all come true.
For starters, please pass this message along. Sign up for the new forum and begin sharing some of your work and experiences. Share your ideas and own vision for this group. If you are a teacher or have knowledge in a particular area and would be willing to present at one of our meetings, or know of places where we can hold our meetings, or if you would like to host a meeting, please contact me.
I can be contacted at info@ohiojmag.com or melissa@melissamuir.com if you have any questions or suggestions.
** This message was sent out February 23, 2009 in repsonse to those desiring more information regarding the guild. |
