[Membership -- Chapter News & Information] [Scholarships] [Hall of Fame information] [Organizations and Societies] [Newsgroups and Newsletters] [Latest Newsletter] [Links]
space holder

WORKSHOPS, LECTURES & DEMONSTRATIONS
Many of our members conduct classes ranging from beginning through advanced levels. These classes cover many techniques including casting, fabrication, hydraulic press, chain making, granulation, and others. For details, check the various chapters' pages. If you have news of such events that you'd like published on those pages, please have your chapter's events chairman submit articles to the webmaster.
West Coast FSG Members' Meeting at The Arts Center, 710 Central Ave, St Petersburg

7:00 PM -- 8:30 PM Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Jan Wunsch will demonstrate classical loops and chains.
West Coast Chapter
2008
Wildacres Summer Workshop
June 14 - 20

Chris Darway - PMC
John Cogswell - Hinged Boxes with Locking Closures
Robert Dancik - Faux Bone
Mary McBride and Jimmy Meaux - Beginning and Beyond
Jean Stark - Ancient Rings
Pauline Warg - Making Metal Beads

Details of classes will be explained in the applications. (Click the link to find the applications.)
The Arts Center, downtown St Petersburg
The Arts Center Studio Classes
The Arts Center Master Artist Series

LENDING LIBRARY AND TECHNICAL INFORMATION

West Coast Chapter

 View Our Library Video and Book Rental Selections (limited to members only). View and print out a video or book rental request form.

State Library

 Newly available books and DVDs available. Please view and print the book and DVD request forms. (limited to members only).
Helpful contacts: (Please do not abuse this privilege - a little basic research can answer most questions.)
The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) recently published Professional Guidelines, available as downloadable PDF files through its website. These Guidelines offer practical advice, checklists, and real-life guidance on recurring issues within the art and craft community in all media. Developed by an esteemed Committee representing all aspects of the crafts field and chaired by Harriete Estel Berman, the Guidelines promote understanding and practical standards. (more)

MEMBERSHIP -- CHAPTER NEWS & INFORMATION
FSG membership is open to practicing metalsmiths, hobbyists, retail or manufacturing jewelers, and those non-practitioners and collectors who are interested in the art and wish to be contributing members. A membership application form is available.

CHAPTERS
Click on any of the chapter links to see the latest news on upcoming events sponsored by that chapter.

WHO WE ARE
FSG.. a 501(c) 3 non profit organization created by metalsmiths to aid and support other metalsmiths through meetings, publicity, workshops, and exhibitions. Contributions are tax deductible to the limits the law will allow.
FSG.. members are primarily active metalsmiths. There are no geographic restrictions or limits to kinds of metals employed. Members' work runs the gamut from platinum and gold to iron and tin.
FSG.. has five chapters in the state of Florida and a large membership outside the state.
FSG.. Click here for a brief history.

OBJECTIVES
FSG.. desires to broaden public awareness and appreciation of fine quality handcrafted metal pieces.
FSG.. publishes a newsletter four times annually to inform the members about activities and pertinent metals information.
FSG.. was formed in 1984 to provide metalsmiths with opportunities for education and information exchange about materials sources and sales outlets.
FSG.. presents workshops under the guidance of qualified metalsmiths.
FSG.. makes available to its members:
  • Lectures,monthly meetings
  • Shows, exhibits, workshops
  • Video library, slides
  • Lending library, books periodicals
  • Technical information
  • World renowned metalsmiths
  • National and statewide affiliations
  • Memberships at large
FSG LogoThe design of the emblem was a collaborative effort on the part of our members,representing the alchemist's symbol for gold.

The Anita London Memorial Display
The Anita London Memorial Display cabinet in the gallery of the St. Petersburg Arts Center will accept your finest works for display. You must be a member of FSG to participate in the display. The pieces do not have to be for sale. If a piece is for sale, the Arts Center takes a 45% commission from the sale price, unless you are a member of the Arts Center, in which case it is a lower commission of 35%.

The dates are as follows:
Artwork needs to arrive by March 3rd for display March 7 - May 23
Artwork needs to arrive by May 16th for display May 23 - July 11
Artwork needs to arrive by July 4th for display July 11 - Sept. 5
Artwork needs to arrive by August 29th for display Sept. 5 Ð Oct. 10
Artwork needs to arrive by October 3rd for display Oct. 10 Ð Nov. 14
Artwork needs to arrive by November 21st for display during the holidays

Feel free to get a group together to mail in your pieces. I will need a single address to return the work submitted by a group. Individual contracts are needed however.

The Arts Center has recently asked that we limit the price of individual pieces to $500 or less per piece for insurance purposes. Please print and fill out this contract and send it with your artwork. Please be sure to indicate if a piece is for sale or display only! A countersigned copy will be returned to you.

Thank you and I look forward to seeing your art in person and adding it to the display.

Jean Marie DeSpiegler
Exec. Director Florida Society of Goldsmiths
719 Central Ave
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 822-7872 (x28)

fsgjm@earthlink.net

The National Metalsmiths Hall of Fame
We invite you to join the distinguished list of members and sponsors of the National Metalsmiths Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Award honors and celebrates the outstanding contributions and achievements of artists, educators and patrons that support the metal arts.

Nomination Form (html pdf
Sponsor Form (html pdf)

SCHOLARSHIPS
The Florida Society Of Goldsmiths, West Coast Chapter, in addition to it's many benefits, provides scholarships to it's members for attendance at the annual summer workshop at Wildacres, NC. For further information please contact any of the following:
E-MAIL:
(FSG Information)

METALSMITHING ORGANIZATIONS AND SOCIETIES
North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths:(Contact NCSG)
Promoting a dynamic exchange of technical information, creative ideas and valuable resources among North Carolina metalworkers of all disciplines.
PSG (Pennsylvania Society of Goldsmiths) Esta Jo Schifter
SMM (Society for Midwest Metalsmiths) metalsmiths@mail.com
A not for profit organization to promote, educate and encourage metalsmiths, silversmiths and goldsmiths.
SLAM (Society for Louisiana Artists in Metal) 75347.151@compuserve.com
WGG (Washington Guild of Goldsmiths) (DC) (Contact WGG)
SNAG (Society of North American Goldsmiths) Dana Singer
MSG (Michigan Silversmiths Guild) Annette Berenholz
MASSC (Metal Arts Society of Southern California) Corliss Rose
HMAG (Houston Metal Arts Guild) info@hmag.org
CMAG (Creative Metal Arts Guild) Liz Page
COMA (Colorado Metalsmithing Association) Todd Reed

NEWS GROUPS & NEWSLETTERS

MUSEUMS
The National Ornamental Metal Museum 374 Metal Museum Drive, Memphis, TN 38106 (901)774-6380

ARTIST OPPORTUNITIES
Call for Entries: The Phil London National Metals and Jewelry Exhibition

Download PDF of information and application form.
(Please contact webmaster to place your submissions in this space.)

SPONSORED LINKS
Please check out these other Links to interesting sites.
Website maintenance since 3-30-2001 by Loren Damewood.