Daily Mini Interview: IGMA Guild School Director Barbara Davis

International Guild of Miniature Artisans
Director of the Guild School: Barbara Davis 

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How did you first get started in miniatures? 

I was doing full-size furniture refinishing for my home; as well as being an antique collector. One of the antique stores in town had a dollhouse section. The owner also ran a local miniature show. I began making my own miniature furniture and eventually began selling at shows. I specialized in Early American country, painted, aged furniture.

Guild_School_2014_0100-X3How has your work evolved over the years?

I sold at many shows for a number of years and taught at the Guild School for 8 years. At the same time, I was moving forward in my career and became an elementary school principal, so I was not able to continue with minis.

How did you become involved with IGMA?

I heard about the International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) and applied to be an Artisan member. Then I sold at the Guild Show in NYC. Later I taught at the IGMA Guild School. I am now the Director of the Guild School.

Do you have any advice to prospective IGMA Scholarship applicants?

Just do it! It is a simple, but serious process. The Scholarship Committee is looking for artists who have potential to grow (beginners) or expand (experienced). We look for a commitment and passion for quality minis.Guild_School_2014_0084-X3

What advice would you give to a new miniaturist?

Go to the Guild School. If you are an artist, you can learn so much. You can meet like-minded miniaturists. If you are a collector, by taking classes, you learn so much about what goes in to a high quality item – you become a more astute collector.

What have been some of your favorite collaborations?

I have collaborated with Mary Grady O’Brien and Carol Hardy. As a director and collector, I love collaborations. The piece is usually very special and I see the excitement of the artists who collaborate: chatting, researching, planning, and more.

What inspires you?

I don’t “furnish” a dollhouse or a room. I collect pieces that are very fine and can stand alone as a work of art. So many artists inspire me by the beauty and skill they put into their work. That said, I tend to collect paintings.

Guild_School_2014_0128-X3What is the most memorable miniature you have ever seen?

Mark Murphy and Mary Grady O’Brien’s bird chair. I was outbid when they donated it to our auction.

Why miniatures? 

I just like beautiful and interesting things and miniatures—because they are small—are easier to collect than the real thing. However, it is important to me that they be authentically made.

Anything else you would like to add?

The Guild School is for anyone. You can be a beginner and find a class that is just right for you. Or you can be a very skilled and talented Fellow of the Guild and find new and better ways of creating miniatures. I always hope that miniaturists will come to IGMA Guild School to learn and have fun.

Barbara Davis lives in California. Every June, she heads to Castine, Maine for the annual IGMA Guild School. To learn more about IGMA, visit the International Guild of Miniature Artisans website. You can also follow along on Facebook and Instagram!

 

 

2015 Guild School by the International Guild of Miniature Artisans

The Ripple Effect. Spread the Knowledge. Share the Fun. 

The Guild School is an annual week of instruction by International Guild of Miniature Artisans (IGMA) Fellows and Artisans in scale miniatures. Set in Castine, Maine each June, the Guild School features classes and workshops by 33 instructors, all of which are current Artisans or Fellows of the Guild.

BW_Guild_School_2014_0331SQ-X3This year’s 34th annual IGMA Guild School will take place from June 13-19 in Castine. Over 200 miniaturists from around the world (42 states and 11 countries are represented this year) take part in more than 50 miniature-making classes. Guild students are taught techniques in woodworking, metalsmithing, figure sculpting, painting, needlework, room/building construction, plant making, food sculpting, wicker, weaving, mosaics, and pottery. With 6 full days of classes (each class spans from 6-8 hours a day), students work diligently to develop their skills and further hone their miniature craft.

Guild_School_2014_0478-X3In addition, the 2015 Guild School will feature evening seminars, a student and instructor exhibit, live and silent auctions, an exhibit of class projects, a graduation night banquet, lobster cookout, and a miniature sale night. Click to view past Guild School events.

All skill levels are welcome to attend the week-long IGMA Guild School set on a picture-perfect campus in a quaint, historical, coastal village in scenic Maine. The School is just one education component of the International Guild of Miniature Artisans. Guild_School_2014_0474-X3IGMA was founded in 1979 to promote fine miniatures as an art form; to increase awareness and appreciation of high-quality workmanship through public education; to recognize and honor qualified artisans and encourage work of highest quality; to encourage the development of new artisans; and to coordinate and serve the interests and needs of the artisan and non-artisan.

To learn more about the IGMA Guild School, visit the Guild School website. You can follow along on Facebook and Instagram. For information about the International Guild of Miniature Artisans, visit igma.org

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