1999 G.A.S. Conference Report and Gossip Column
Ronald A. Shapiro, Gossiper-in-Chief
The 1999 G.A.S. conference in Tampa was well attended and fun. Thanks are due to local
organizers Susan Gott and Lenn Neff and helpers for all the effort, hard work, and planning
needed to accomplish this.
At the introductory assembly we were treated to a wonderful flamenco performance by dancer
Esther Suarez and her guitarist husband Jose Maria Moreno. Hot dancing and hot glass were
much in evidence throughout the conference. Not least in this department was Toronto artist
Laura Donefer, the Canadian wizard of hot glass and wild dancing. Her demonstration “Hot
Hand Building to Wild Music” at the Dean James studio in Ybor City was a treat for all who
attended. Far from using a Digitry, Laura’s first piece was annealed in a quenching tub of cold
water! Laura continued to uphold her reputation at the closing party that evening. The Digitry
crew is a little ashamed to admit that we chose waiting in line for the tasty delicacies of the
“Floribean Feast” over joining Laura on the crowded dance floor.
Hot Lectures
Some of the interesting lectures we managed to attend during the conference were
• Why I dyed my hair by Dick Marquis.
• How lightening makes glass by Prof. Vladimir Rakov.
• The dispersion of planets and the confounding of future archeologists by Josh Simpson.
We were sorry not to be able to hear more talks, but the duties of booth tending exerted their
siren call.
The GB3 Hall of Fame
In the past we have mentioned various artists we have run into who are still using their original
GB3 Controllers on a daily basis. These units have not been made since 1984, so they really
demonstrate Digitry’s planned non-obsolescence! In Tampa we encountered Shirley Elford of
Toronto, Ontario, whose GB3 is about 17 years old and still chugging away. At the International
Expo, a fascinating representation of glass from all over the world, we found Montreal based
sculptor Donald Robertson. Both he and his partner, Susan Edgerley, also have been using their
original GB3 for at least 17 years, and their pieces at the Exposition were made with its help.
Two of their pieces which particularly caught our eye were an intricate lost-wax kiln casting of a
nautilus type object, by Donald, and a very delicate pate de verre piece of opposing saucer-like
disks with copper and pine needles, by Susan.
Drew Smith, whose GB3 had previously been inducted into the Hall of Fame, has decided to
leave the wild and chilly climes of Ohio for the balmy airs of Tampa. We congratulate Drew on
his new home and gallery. The New Heights Gallery is just 3 blocks from Susan Gott’s Phoenix
Studio.
Digitry Company, Inc.
188 State Street, Suite 21
Portland, ME 04101
Internet: www.digitry.com
email: info@digitry.com
Phone: 207-774-0300
Fax: 617-484-5220
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Student Competition
Digitry is very pleased to congratulate Sheridan College student Kris Christensen on his winning
first place in the Student Competition. Indeed, Sheridan students have been collecting quite a few
accolades in the last few years. Some of the credit for this must go to Dan Crichton. Dan always
brings a large contingent of his students along to these conferences. It must be very rewarding
for them to have a teacher who puts so much energy and attention into their glass education.
So, yet another Digitry Controller will be crossing the northern border as Kris brings home
his prize — a GB1. This marks the 5th year that Digitry has provided a GB1 as a prize for the
Student Competition. Last year, the first prize GB1 went to Tracy Barbosa of Mass College of
Art.
My Dinner with Digitry
The annual Digitry–Marvin Lipofsky dinner took place at the Creole Cafe in Ybor City. Seated
at the table next to us were Eric and Lorna of Uroboros Glass. This brought back strong and
pungent memories of last year in Seto City, Japan, when we all went out together for Oonagi.
That restaurant in Seto was dark, exotic, and small: the seven of us practically filled it up. Nary
a word of English was spoken except among ourselves. I can still taste that deliciously smoked
Japanese eel delicacy in my mind’s mouth. The barbecued shrimp at the Creole Cafe were pretty
good too. After the conference Marvin was off to Chicago for an opening of his latest work.
What’s Henry Doing Now That He’s Retired?
When he is not loosing balls on the links, Henry Halem can frequently be found setting up
links on his new glass Web site, www.glassinfo.com. Henry is still publishing his famous Glass Notes. For more information, or to order the book, check his other Web site,
www.glassnotes.com. For the sake of golfers everywhere, let’s hope these glass projects
keep him well occupied.
Speaking of Books
Dudley Giberson, longtime experimenter and innovator of equipment for the small glass studio,
had a booth near Digitry at the conference. He has written a new book called A Glassblower’s
Companion. It has lots of advice, instructions, historical musings, philosophy, and great drawings. And while you’re ordering this book, ask for his Joppa Glassworks Catalog of Fact and
Knowledge.
Digitry is pleased to be mentioned in Giberson’s brief history of glass from 1500 BC to the
present. It is an honor for us to be included right there with the ancient Mesopotamians (see the
bottom of page M-5 in the Catalog). He can be reached at Joppa Glassworks, Inc., Warner, NH
03278.
Digitry Company, Inc.
188 State Street, Suite 21
Portland, ME 04101
Internet: www.digitry.com
email: info@digitry.com
Phone: 207-774-0300
Fax: 617-484-5220