Many, many hours of planning and organizing the Synergy2 Gallery with Mary Fassler and Judy Belcher along with short, sleepless nights in Baltimore made me feel all this week that I needed to be doing something related to the conference. It took me a few days to realize that it’s time to get back to whatever it was I was doing pre-Synergy2…art show applications, gallery replenishment, and, hopefully, some actual time in my studio followed by photography, blogging, website updating. Yikes, better get cracking!!!

A conference with so many components creates a slightly different experience for each attendee. Although I spent the majority of my Synergy2 time tending to the Gallery I was able to attend portions of a few presentations, the opening night Ford/Forlano talk, and the closing night banquet. Here’s the Charm City / “Ace of Cakes” creation made especially for the International Polymer Clay Association’s 20th anniversary. It served over 200 people and it was yummy! The Ace of Cakes crew were given pictures and books of polymer clay art for inspiration. The top layer was definitely Ford/Forlano-esque! I kept visiting while in the cake line and lost my place a few times so was happy that I finally made it to the front before every piece was gobbled up.

I left Synergy2 with loads of inspiration and a strong desire for more tools…a kiln and enameling equipment as a result of snippets of presentations by Tam Honaman and Gwen Bernecker. The best part of the conference experience for me was the opportunity to meet and chat with all the fabulous artists. We heard so many times how the polymer community has advanced artistically by leaps and bounds even compared to just two years ago.

Back to work!

Maureen

Synergy2 is only three weeks away. I can’t wait to see all the fabulous polymer clay work in the Gallery and Exhibit. Friend and fellow Clayville California member, Victoria James, submitted this beautiful polymer clay and pine needle basket for the exhibit, which made the back cover of the Synergy2 Exploring Connections exhibit catalog…very exciting news! The conference theme revolves around collaboration. The Exhibit showcases artwork either produced by one artist in mixed media or made by two or more artists working together (or both).

Please stop by the Gallery and say hello if you will be in Baltimore!

Maureen

I urge all polymer clay artists to consider attending what is sure to be a wonderful and inspirational conference. The theme is “Exploring Connections” and the emphasis is on artistic collaboration, from artists working together on a single project to a single artist expanding his or her horizons by combining other materials with polymer clay. Please check out the Synergy2 website for more information.

I am once again working with Judy Belcher and Mary Fassler to organize and manage the Synergy2 Gallery, where all attendees are encouraged to display and sell their polymer clay works. The 2008 Synergy Gallery was amazing and I predict the Synergy2 Gallery will be even better. Imagine the fabulous works of 80 artists lined up row after row all in the same room for you to see and purchase!

If you want to kick your work up a notch or two or three I strongly recommend that you consider attending the conference. The sooner you register the better your chances of getting into the presentations that are of most interest to you.