2018 National Conference

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Tacoma, Washington

August 23-26, 2018

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The annual national SLMM conference is an important event as it provides us with the opportunity to connect with our fellow SLMM members, to renew old friendships and make new ones. This year’s conference did not disappoint. Held at the Hotel Murano, downtown and within walking distance to wonderful art and architecture, the venue houses its own collection of glass works which are exhibited on each floor and in the lobby.

After registration on Thursday, members enjoyed the evening buffet reception as well as fellowship with other conference attendees. The bus trip on Friday took our group into Seattle, where we viewed the Chihuly Gardens with its indoor/outdoor exhibits, the Seattle Museum of Art, and a stop at the Elliot Bay Book Company. Later that evening, guests enjoyed a sit down
banquet and special presentation by SLMM member Leslie Ebert, who shared her artistic journey in developing her process of photographing energy.

 

There was a short general meeting Saturday morning with special thanks to Jaleh Etemad and Lynn Mikami for their service as President and Vice President, respectively, and a welcome to new President, Laura Pope. After the meeting, members were free to explore downtown Tacoma on foot or by the free light rail to see its many attractions which include the Glass
Bridge and Glass Museum (where artists were at work in the Hot Shop), the Tacoma Art Museum, and the old Union Station with its distinctive Beaux-Arts architecture. This structure is now the federal courthouse and houses a collection of glass by renowned Tacoma glass artist Dale Chihuly.

Saturday evening, our group was taken by bus to the Museum Contempo in Shelton for the opening reception of the national SLMM exhibit ‘Layering: Within and Without’. The gallery is owned by SLMM member, Andrea Mastrangelo, who generously invited our society to have the show there. The diversity and quality of a SLMM exhibit is always captivating! In addition
to a dessert buffet, Andrea provided us with a program that included a talk by Diana Wong, songs by Marigem Emde, poetry readings by Jeff Meyers, the story of her artistic journey by Marilyn Stablein, and an interpretive dance of salmon spawning by Teresa Staal-Cowley.

 

After a fine breakfast on Sunday morning, the conference closed with a Prayer Circle. We want to give a special thank you to Mary Carroll Nelson for all of her work in coordinating this event.

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Laura Pope

President

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