From the Editor’s Desk:
The Good of the Craft
Long-time readers of this publication may
remember two articles that I wrote quite a
number of years ago about the Kansas City
Renaissance Festival and how we put
together a team of people to put on demonstrations there building stained glass windows. It was a very popular demonstration,
and people were fascinated by the fabrication process. The Kansas City Renaissance
Festival used to be a benefit for the Kansas
City Art Institute. It has since been sold to
a for-profit management company.
the merit of this level of membership in the
Stained Glass Association of America.
Even more fundamentally important,
though, than recognizing Affiliates as
Affiliate Members is the reduction in the
price of Affiliate Membership in the
SGAA. The annual cost for this level of
membership was cut in half: it went from
$100 to $50 per year. This is exciting
because it demonstrates that the Stained
Glass Association of America is more
interested in the good of the art and craft
than in the money and that the SGAA recognizes that one of the best ways to benefit the art and craft of stained glass is to
encourage a greater participation in the
activities of the Association.
When it benefitted the Art Institute, my
wife and I were both heavily involved in
offering various demonstrations at the
Deacon Richard H. Gross, MTS
Renaissance Festival. Hardly a weekend
The dalmatic I am wearing in this picture was an
ordination gift from the SGAA Board.
went by when we were not out there with
our friends. As I write this, though, I realIt is now easier than ever to be a member
ize that yet another season has gone by and
of the Stained Glass Association of America. More voices and
I didn’t even bother going out there one time. Sure — things
more participation in the Association will help the SGAA to
change, and, when it was something that benefitted art, I was glad
accomplish its primary goals and objectives.
to be a part of it. However, when it became about making money,
I quickly lost interest in it. Now, I’m not saying there is anything
According to SGAA bylaws, objectives of the Association are: to
wrong with money... it’s just never been what motivates me. And
function as the recognized organization of distinction and to conthere is a very different feel when dealing with an organization
duct its affairs in a manner that will reflect credit upon its image
that is motivated primarily by money compared to an organization
and craft; to maintain the highest possible standards for excellence
motivated primarily by art.
in craftsmanship, integrity and business practices; to provide facilities offering active membership participation, extensive craft
I suppose that is one of the things that makes me very fond of the
training, organizational and craft-related information, and tradeStained Glass Association of America. It’s not perfect, but it’s
related consulting and documentary services; to research and
motivations are right. It puts what is good for the art and the craft
develop new products, processes and techniques for the advanceof stained, decorative, and architectural art glass first, and by
ment of innovative craft expression; to act as the authoritative hisdoing that, it benefits its membership universally. An organization
torian and archivist for its craft in America; and to defend and prolike the SGAA will always be a work-in-progress because the
tect its craft against unwarranted regulation restricting its freedom
needs of the art and of the membership are constantly evolving.
of use as an architectural art form.
Therefore, the Association has to work constantly to make sure
that it is meeting the needs of the art and of the membership to the
Meeting those objectives will be better accomplished by more
best of its ability.
participation than it could ever have been accomplished by money
alone. Bravo, SGAA, for boldly working to meet the long-standing
At the Annual Summer Conference held at the Elms in Excelsior
objectives of this venerable org