Let the Rumpus Begin…

We are gathered at the Maine Maritime Academy this year, our forty-first, for a week of classes and sharing. Where are the small things…they are all around us, including in the Art Spot near the post office in downtown Castine.

Each year the Guild School takes over the campus and in some ways the town of Castine. I hear stories of people that have passed through Castine during a family vacation and they fondly remember seeing a display of “little things” on exhibit while they were here. You just never know how many lives you touch when you bring an exhibit item to school with you.

The theme this year is so appropriate because during this week, Castine is indeed where the small things are. The village merchants stay open late on your free night, Wednesday, in hopes that you might explore. The villagers and tourists to the area come up and visit the exhibit room and marvel at what we create. In at least one case they’ve joined us for classes.

One of the Guild’s missions is providing educational opportunities for anyone interested. We hold two annual educational opportunities in the same location every year — Guild School in Castine and a Guild Study Program in Williamsburg. We typically have a moving Study Program in the fall in addition to classes offered at the Guild Show and virtually throughout the year, Guild Virtual Learning. If you are reading this, you have invested in learning with the Guild’s fabulous instructors this year. Keep your eyes and ears open for your next Guild adventure — members hear about our programming first through our emails, and membership reduces tuition for all our study programs and events. Join the Guild with an annual membership and support the fine art of miniature whether you create, collect or just admire.

Audrey Tripp
President, IGMA

International Guild of Miniature Artisans, Ltd.
P.O. Box 3643
Hollywood, FL 33083
phone: 800.711.4462
info@igma.org

Welcome Instructors, Students and Guests!

Audrey Tripp, IGMA President, said it all — let the rumpus begin at the 2023 Guild School, Where the Small Things Are. Not that we are exactly “wild things”; we just make wild things that no one else can understand. That’s what’s so wonderful about being at Guild School — “you never have to explain what a miniature is.”

This year we have 38 first-year students, Greenies, wearing their bright green name tag. Give them a special welcome to our learning community. In total, we have 203 students, 28 instructors and 19 guests. We come from all over the world — 36 US states and 47 people representing 15 countries other than the US.

I have this phrase going through my brain, “merge and surge.” Prior to the pandemic I saw two distinct miniature groups and wondered how these would ever come together. I see that happening now in the miniature world and at Guild School. There is a merging of the more traditional/historical “old brown furniture” focus with the innovative and contemporary art being created. There is a merging of online viewing and purchasing with in-person attendance at shows and classes. There is a merging of age, gender, race, language and ethnicity. I believe this merging is what is causing a surge in world-wide interest in miniatures as an art form. It’s pretty exciting to be part of it.

Have a memorable week of hard work and good fun here at Guild School…where the small things are.

Best, Barbara Davis
Guild School Director

The Guild School
3485 North Main St
Soquel, CA 95073
831.464.4638
831.465.0771 fax guildschooligma@gmail.com