October was an overwhelming month – but all good!
The highlight of the month was the Open House, held the afternoon of the Holden’s party for Charlie. It was so wonderful to get Charlie’s art out of those crates, cleaned up, and properly displayed. With some borrowed tables and small lights, I managed to exhibit nearly 50 of his pieces around the studio, and they looked just great. I’ve attached a few photos here, but a more complete photo stream is now on Fused Light Studio’s website – there are pages for Charlie’s art and for the workshops.
As a mini-retrospective of Charlie’s art, the Open House gave many of his family and work friends a chance to see the beautiful range of his creativity. Set against the industrial appearance of the studio itself, I think it really offered insight into why glass art – and Charlie’s in particular – is so uniquely valuable. We were also holding a workshop that day, which was wrapping up as the Open House began, and that allowed visitors to see another type of glass technique (painting with glass powder).
Despite a driving rainstorm, about 40 people came to the studio, and seven of them bought pieces of Charlie’s art. Just as gratifying was the outpouring of interest in the process of kilnformed glass. Lori Schinelli, a local glass artist who knew Charlie a little, was there as a guest docent, and was very helpful in explaining and pricing Charlie’s art. Lori and I did our best to explain to everyone how the kilns and various glass techniques work, and to point out the high level of knowledge and artistry required to produce Charlie’s sculptures. I thoroughly enjoyed showing off his work and talking to people about it. The only downside was that the Open House was so mobbed I didn’t have enough time to talk to everyone!
At the party, though, I was able to speak more with some family friends. I also was extremely moved to read the beautiful description of Charlie that Howard and Jody put together. Extra copies of it are now at the studio, and I make sure everyone who comes in the door receives one, so that they know more about the studio’s creator.
I was also delighted to meet Abdul Kamara, who did some work for Charlie on finishing his glass sculptures. As I mentioned in the previous report, many of Charlie’s pieces need to have finishing work in order to be exhibited formally, and I am hoping Abdul can help me with some of this. I would like to put up a separate website for Charlie’s artwork once more of it is finished.
In addition to the Open House, I was consumed with preparing for and managing workshops every Saturday. My guest instructors are excellent teachers, and the workshops won us more devotees of the studio. We did anonymous feedback forms, and got top ratings in every category from every participant. I would have liked to fill more seats, but considering the short notice for marketing, I think we did quite well.
Personally, I continued my private sessions with Nell Ruby, the chair of the Art Department at Agnes Scott, and part two of a workshop for students in her Methods class. I think this relationship will reap many benefits for the studio, and I look forward to marketing similar offerings for other college art departments in the Atlanta area.
I also held part one of a private workshop in glass casting, working with Angel Stewart of Davens Ceramic Center and one of her employees. Angel is well known among ceramic and glass artists, and she herself runs a small glass studio at Davens. But we feel there are ways for us to cooperate rather than compete, because our facilities, equipment and skills are very different.
In addition to private lessons, I will be offering studio availability to small groups (4-6) who want a private “play date” to make fused glass ornaments, jewelry or decorations. I think this will work well for families with older children or groups of friends who want an interesting outing for a day or evening.
I spent quite a chunk of time this month compiling email lists to use in marketing the studio. I have met a dizzying number of people this year connected to Charlie, glass, and art, on top of my previous network… a great influx of energy and ideas, but a lot to keep track of!
Donations to the studio reached an amazing $7,600 in these four months, covering the rent, repairs, and purchases needed for the workshops. I simply could not have undertaken the studio overhaul without this start-up cushion. Although it’s been an overwhelming few months – riding the bicycle as I was building it, so to speak – the donations allowed me to get going quickly and begin to turn the studio into the resource center that Charlie and I imagined.
In November and December, I should be able to negotiate a lease and get a handle on utility costs. The landlord is installing electric meters for all tenants, and will work on the emergency exit door and a portion of electrical work as soon as next week. Occupancy permit will, I hope, happen in January. I’ve definitely benefited from the experience of other new tenants – four of us all moved in around the same time this spring and summer, and we have become friends and mutual supporters. The printer made signs for me for free, the movie set supplier loaned me equipment, and the caterer is testing ways to use my custom-designed glass serving platters – he is crazy about them!
Yesterday we held one of two workshops for November; then comes the holiday hiatus until mid-January. But, I will still be very busy – I have two commissioned pieces to complete, and two holiday marketplaces to make lots of artwork for.
Please do keep the studio in mind as you are shopping. My website is never completely up to date; the best thing is to email me for an appointment. Or perhaps I will do another Open House, in December? (If I haven’t collapsed by then!)
You can continue to help the studio just by letting your friends and colleagues know about it.
Important links
Verista is registered as a charity with Amazon Smile. Anyone who shops at Amazon can designate Verista as their recipient. Amazon then donates a small percentage of the profit to Verista – it doesn’t cost you a thing!
Please let your Atlanta-area friends know about the next workshop, private lessons and availability for “play dates” – no glass experience is required. They can see what’s being offered at the website Workshops tab. It’s also fine if they’d just like to stop by and see the studio. And please forward this newsletter to anyone who might be interested in the studio’s development as a resource center.
Please ensure everyone knows the page for accepting donations at Verista. I can also accept checks made out to Verista.
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram, and encourage your friends to do the same. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FusedLightStudio/
Instagram: @fused_light_studio
This is the best way to keep up with the studio’s activities, and personal connections are so valuable for the studio’s reputation and word-of-mouth marketing.
Thank you, again, for supporting Charlie’s legacy. It’s such an honor for me to carry it forward.
With deep appreciation,
Lisa