Whew! Conference is over for another year….what a wonderful time!!! It was so nice to see folks that I hadn't seen since last year and meet so many new people. I was amazed at the number of out of state people who attended. The weather cooperated, more or less, and I do believe that everyone had a fabulous time. My class (Continuous Strand Weaving) was so magical! Nearly everyone I spoke with was equally delighted with their class. The students in the Beginning Weaving and Beginning Spinning classes were so excited. It is wonderful to know that we have many aspiring weavers and spinners in our group. I realize that we all have diverse interests but FTWG is primarily a weaving guild so I believe this is wonderful!!
The instructors who come are always so impressed with our group. We are a warm, friendly group and the weather is usually warm and friendly as well. I appreciate the way you all make everyone feel welcome; instructors and first timers. The Open House was wonderful; the interviews to meet the instructors were extremely interesting. The awesome fashion show revealed how very talented our members are, the silent auction was fun and profitable. I believe the Outreach did quite well despite the economy. The children's weaving was equally amazing. Ellen Turner's scholarship results were great. We are looking forward to seeing the wonderful things that Susan Boykin Vezina will do with the scholarship that she won this year.
Save the date, March 16-20, 2011 and join us at the conference at beautiful Lake Yale in Eustis, Florida.
Jan Beasley
FTWG President
"The Queen of Purple"
February 11, 2009
We have the Newsletter now online.
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Because of my physical limitations, 35 years of weaving and spinning equipment must find
a new home.
If you will email me at ccoyle001@cfl.rr.com, I
will send you an inventory of items for sale.
I am located in New Smyrna Beach FL
Candy Coyle
1 386 424 9727
Clicking on the link opens Adobe .pdf file
After several months of due diligence, the Board of Directors is proud to announce the new Executive Director of Florida Craftsmen - Diane Shelly. Our selection process was conducted with a focus on the needs of the membership and the future growth of Florida Craftsmen. Diane recently served for more than five years as the Executive Director for the ArtCenter Manatee, elevating and advancing the organization. Diane also has a background as a craft artist - as a weaver and spinner. Please join us in welcoming Diane to Florida Craftsmen.
Stop by soon to say hello to Diane and hope to see you at the Artful Table! Your continued support sustains Florida Craftsmen and our mission to:
Empower the Artist, Enrich the Community, Engage the Next Generation
Best regards,
Gail Simpson, President
Board of Directors
Florida Craftsmen, Inc
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The Board of Directors of Florida Craftsmen, Inc. Name New Director
St. Petersburg, FL (March 29, 2010) Diane Shelly was recently appointed Executive Director of Florida Craftsmen, Inc. and will take the helm on April 5. Florida Craftsmen, Inc. is Florida's only state-wide non-profit organization representing thousands of Florida's established and emerging fine craft artists. Shelly will provide leadership to further the organization's mission of empowering the artists, enriching the community and engaging the next generation through the power of strong community collaboration.
Shelly is a firm believer in the effectiveness of strong collaborative efforts, having worked to foster meaningful partnerships with other non-profits, private enterprise and government agencies during her tenure as the Executive Director of ArtCenter Manatee in Bradenton.
Some of Shelly's accomplishments with the ArtCenter included overseeing more than 150 exhibitions, bringing the American & National Watercolor Society Traveling Exhibitions to Bradenton (one of only seven sites in the United States), elevating the quality of educational programming at the ArtCenter, attracting nationally recognized instructors, strengthening the ceramics department and introducing a silversmith and jewelry design program.
"As Florida's authority for fine crafts and headquartered in such a vibrant arts community as St. Petersburg, Florida Craftsmen is pleased to have Diane join the organization and help us continue our service to the arts community in St. Petersburg and throughout Florida," said Gail Simpson, President of the Board of Directors for Florida Craftsmen.
For fifty-seven years Florida Craftsmen has advanced and celebrated Florida's fine crafts, in St. Petersburg and around the State, through exhibitions, workshops and educational programs. Florida Craftsmen is Florida's most important destination and primary authority for fine craft art. Visit Florida Craftsmen at 501 Central Avenue in Downtown St. Petersburg or at www.floridacraftsmen.net to welcome Diane Shelly to our community. Contact: Janie Lorenz at 727-821-7391.
Many times we've alerted you to the fact that it's Retreat time with the hopes that you will join us, and here we are again. It's a wonderful time to collect your thoughts, get your projects lined up and spend some down-time or "get it done time" with fellow FTWG members. IT IS OPEN TO ALL FTWG MEMBERS. We have such a good time, join us!
Read more and download the registration form...