How is it that sometimes several of us are on the same wave-length? I was just reading in the January 2013 issue of Maine Antique Digest (a huge monthly newspaper with international distribution), an article by The Young Collector couple trying to debunk the idea of antiques as being a risky business. Their columns address younger people with an interest in antiques. They attended a talk by the President of the American Alliance of Museums (mentioned by Arlene in her note to Arachne). The AAM's President's comments were that "around 850-million people visited American museums last year; that museums employ around 400,000 people; and that cultural tourism generates approximately $200-billion every year. Add this to the dollars generated annually in the antiques and art trade, which according to retired FBI art crimes detective is more money than is spent on professional baseball, football, basketball, and hockey combined, and you're talking serious interest in 'old stuff' on the part of the American populace." ------------------------------- Lace makers: This was big news to me, and welcome news, as well. Of course, quite a few museums are devoted to big sports, perhaps visited several times a year by the same people - but, even so.... We need to educate everyone about those things that are encompassed by womens' history. That includes lace, of course. If we can do this, it should generate interest by younger people in carrying forward the enormous amount of work done by our post-WWII teachers, authors, collectors, scholars. We are advancing in age, and this needs to be a priority. In the case of the AAM's May convention in Baltimore -- This region of the U.S. is served well by the Chesapeake Region Lace Guild. There are several lace guild members with very good museum connections that were used during the 2011 IOLI convention in Bethesda Maryland (on the border of the Washington DC). Since I am a long-distance member of this guild, maybe there are some brainstorming ideas I can contribute to an effort to work on this? It is important to respond to this call for action during the year when the AAM is meeting in the Chesapeake Region, where there are so many museums and a large lace guild. Jeri Ames in Maine USA Lace and Embroidery Resource Center ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Per Arlene in New Jersey: Some googling led me to a group called the American Alliance of Museums. They are having their annual meeting and museum expo in Baltimore in May. Their website says:
I am wondering if we have any lacemakers in the Baltimore area that would be brave souls willing to set up demonstrations in the likely convention attendees hotel lobbies. I picture a giant banner that reads - "Got lace in your collection? No idea what to do with it and how to share it with the public? Don't even know how it was created? Come talk to us! The theme of this convention is 'The Power of Story.' We've got stories for you!" - To unsubscribe send email to majord...@arachne.com containing the line: unsubscribe lace y...@address.here. For help, write to arachne.modera...@gmail.com. Photo site: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lacemaker/sets/
