Each year the International Society of Glass Beadmakers (ISGB) sponsors a number of exhibits. In 2007 they joined with the American Association of Woodturners for a collaborative challenge entitled “Connextions”. Volunteer beadmakers and woodturners were paired together and given several months to come up with a joint piece. Most “couples” made two pieces, one for each participant in the pair to keep. Other entries were for sale.
The submission were part of an exhibit at the Woodturner’s Gallery in Minneapolis, the site of the ISGB’s 2007 annual Gathering (which is an eductional conference). Many of the pieces can be seen here http://picasaweb.google.com/tibshaw/ConneXtionsGallery?authkey=GzxPN8ZE_UI and represent an amazing creative use of both wood and glass.
My partner, Dennis Daudelin of Massachusetts and I complete the “World Peace Bowl”. All of the beads say “peace” – each in a different language. Down the road the group will be sponsoring other collaborative exhibitions. I found this to be a rewarding and challenging undertaking that I will definitely try to do again in the future.
For more info on the ISGB, check out their website, www.isgb.org Jeri
