Soft Glass Invitational

A Retreat of a Different Kind

 

In the Hills of Hilliard, Pennsylvania at the Glass Blowing Center, Soft Glass Invitational holds an annual Retreat for glass artists and enthusiast to share their love of creating with soft glass.  Our hope is to create an atmosphere that will encourage the spirit of the artist, the building of friendships and reaching out into the communities with knowledge about glass art.  We hope you will join us. 

 

Dirty Looie

 

Date:    May 17 - 19, 2012

Place:   Glass Blowing Center, Hilliards, Pennsylvania
 

Soft Glass Invitational

P.O. Box 3243

Alburquerque, NM 87190

505-883-9295
Soft Flex Wire Company
All the Corporate Sponsor Banners are clickable to their website.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.  Dr. Seuss
Arthouse Coop is the most inspiring International organization that I have ever found.  This year I created a Journal with my handdrawn images and poetry - very funky but so much fun.  Click the link above and awaken your inner child.

ROAD TRIP:  Lewis and I are leaving for the event on Saturday, May 12th.  So if you need to reach us before or during the week call 505-414-9041.  We will be at the Center from Tuesday on setting up the event.  Click on the link above for the phone number of The Glass Blowing Center. 

ROAD TO INSPIRATION

 

The columbine in my strawberry pot have started to appear believing that the threat of winter has been thoroughly squished by the springtime weather. 

 

The great thing about flowers in my garden is I can not only photograph them from every angle but can dissect them mentally.  I hope to find a good interpretation of the columbine in glass which is pushing my abilities to a higher level. 

 

Inspiration is sometimes instantaneous and other times requires your complete and full attention but the one thing it does is spread your wings artistically. 

SHORT VIDEO OF THE GLASS CENTER DURING AGI IN 2011

Click on the hawk to go to the U-Tube video of the yearly boro event at the Glass Center - it will give you an idea of the facility and the fun.

I want to thank our Corporate Sponsors [see their Banners on all the pages which are clickable] and explain our goal to which you [the attendee] are a great part. 

 

With the economy hitting art in a large way, many lampworkers have had to cut back on buying supplies, tools and glass.  This of course has affected the Vendors who have worked hard to provide lampworkers with the supplies and tools that are designed solely for our art. 

 

The Glass Blowing Center has held an annual event every year for artists who work in boro glass but has not utilized for the soft glass worker or teachers who want to set up a get-a-way class. 

 

Instead of asking the Corporate Sponsors to donate large items, we are working with them to purchase kilns and other tools to leave at the Center.  The funds collected for torch rentals will help Barry to increase the number of rental torches that will be available.   We are so greatful to everyone and every business for helping us create a self-sustaining retreat for the love and passion of art. 

Emlenton Motor Inn which is North of the Center has 23 rooms available.  We have set asked them to set aside 12 rooms [at the Emlenton] at $50 per night [plus tax].  When you make reservations the reserved rooms are in the name "Lewis Wilson/Soft Glass Invitational".  If you have problems or if the rooms are already reserved when you call, then call Lewis.  Get your rooms early.  ‎6318 Emlenton Clintonville Rd Emlenton, PA 16373   (724) 867-2314

 

The Emlenton is booked [but check for cancellations] so we have found a $70 a night rate at the Comfort Inn which is about the same distance from the center.  Click to go to the reservation page. 

 

 

Facebook -  We now have a page on Facebook which will allow everyone to interact and keep up with the progress of the Retreat.  

THERE IS SOME CONFUSION ON COMING TO SOFT GLASS INVITATIONAL...WE ARE NOT INVITING PEOPLE [THAT'S THE CONFUSION]...THIS IS OPEN TO EVERYONE IN THE WORLD...FIRST COME IS OUR ONLY RULE!   THERE ARE 40 TORCH STATIONS OR "A TICKETS" AND THEY WILL BE FILLED IN THE ORDER IN WHICH YOU REGISTER.  WE HAVE NOT DETERMINED A LIMIT ON THE "B TICKETS" AND WILL HAVE A STANDBY LIST TO MOVE FROM A "B TICKET" TO AN "A TICKET" IF THERE IS AN OPENING BEFORE THE RETREAT.

HOW TO REGISTER FOR SGI 2012:

 

1.  Fill out the Application for 2012 which let's us know you are interested and submit it.

2.  Lewis will then send you the Registration Contract and Information on the Retreat.

 

When you decide you want to attend:

 

3.  Fill out the Registration Contract and either email, fax or mail it back with the deposit or payment in full. [We are working with those who want to pay in multiple small payments]

4.  We will email you a receipt of your Registration within a week of receiving it and it will include your Registration number 2012-xxx and the balance which will be due on or before April 16, 2012.

5.  We will delete all Registrations emailed to avoid having personal data on the internet and a printed copy will be put in the Registration book.

6.  You will get updated emails but not many and all updates will be on the website and on the Facebook page.
Wale Apparatus of Pennsylvania will be the Tool Vendor at SGI in 2012.  Click on their banner to visit their on-line store.

We are going where no other Soft Glass Retreat has gone before for this is about growing, learning, sharing and finding a moment that involves nothing but your love of using soft glass to fill that inner child we call the true artist.  You don't have to play an instrument to love music, you don't have to know how to rhyme to enjoy a poet and you don't have to know how to melt glass but you will go home with more then you ever thought you could learn in three days! 

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