WOW!

This seems to be the word that comes to mind every time I'm asked about the week spent in Baltimore, MD, attending the Synergy2 conference. And it is a really good word to sum things up succinclty, not just the one word I can utter given my brain is still mush from all of the intense input.

If you want more than one word, please read on...

The overall theme of Synergy2 was exploring connections. All efforts (seminars, presentations, exhibit work) were focused on connections and collaboration. I understood this concept when I put together proposals for speaking at the event - it all hit home while attending as the Synergy2 team delievered the theme throughout, and then some.

The seminars were all wonderfully thought out and positioned so you could really focus and hone in on what you were there to do. And whether it was that you wanted to learn a technique like combining enamels on copper, presented by Gwen Bernecker; explore the ins and outs of combining color, with Lindly Huanani; or learn the some great tips for using the web (a major connection device if I do say so), presented by Cynthia Tinapple of Polymer Clay Daily, it was all there for you and cleverly positioned to be about connections!

The presenters whose seminars I attended were aces. In addition to the above, another great connective-relationship seminar was by my roommate, Wendy Outland. She spoke on getting your work into galleries and the ins and outs of working with gallery owners. Another was Seth Savarick's "Think Big/Work Big" seminar which I got to attend with my good friend Hazel Wheaton, the Editor of Art Jewelry magazine.

And speaking of Hazel - I had the pleasure of introducing her as one of the panelists in my publihing seminar. Hazel, Alison Lee from Craftcast and Susan Lomuto from Daily Art Muse all participated on the panel and offered the audience a wealth of information and inspiration to get out and get their work in print (or on the web)!

And speaking of panels - there were large panel discussions delivered on the concept of Synergy as a whole - propelling the artist to the next level, not to mention the medium of polymer. The highlight from the panel discussions for me was hearing Bruce Pepich from the Racine Art Museum share his passion for art and how he was excited to be integrating a wonderful collection of  polymer art, compiled by Elise Winters, into the museum.

In addition to the seminars and panel discussion there were lots of opportunities to spend money!

A very artfilled exhibit of collaborative work was on display throughout the conference and really pushed the boundaries of collaboration and connections by combining two artists' work, one being primarily polymer in nature, the other, not so much. For instance a steel bowl decorated by polymer cane slices.  All work on display was for sale and the pieces were all very, very tempting.

The gallery, run by friends Judy Belcher, Maureen Thomas and Mary Fassler, was filled with work by attending artists - also, all for sale. The work these great ladies and many, many volunteers watched over and cared for was a feast for the eyes. And no surprise given their professional abilities, the gallery itself was run like an honest-to-goodness gallery, although I was never afraid to linger and hover and fraternize.

The vendor area brought together a great assortment of my favorites like Polymer Clay Express, Whole Lotta Whimsy and Art Clay World as well as some that I hadn't shopped with before but will frequent going forward!

There was lots of time built into the conference for enjoying each other's company - breakfast and lunch served on site, coffee breaks, a great overall location for the event which allowed you to stay in one place and do it all if you wanted to. I'm inclined to explore as time permits and thanks to the great location it was very easy to get to the Inner Harbor, museums, galleries and the ACC Show at the Baltimore Convention Center - not to mention some fabulous restaurants.

Conference aside - for  me this was a time to visit, socialize, laugh and enjoy the company of good friends. And a time to reflect and look forward. Still in the process of assimilating all of that...

Meanwhile, the birds are out today and a blue bird amongst them - patio furniture is being restored to the patio from the garage - and for some reason I felt it necessary to wash the windows. All goods signs that spring is right around the corner.

There are many things on the to-do list so off I go to be sure I can cross something off the list today as well as fill my lungs with some fresh air!

Oh, before I go - the cake! Here is a shot of the cake created by Charm City Cakes of Ace of Cake's fame, brought in for the 20th anniversary celebration of the International Polymer Clay Association (formerly NPCG) - and yes, it did taste good.