|
| |
|
Past Conventions
Expanded Our Minds
and
We Made New Friends
Updated:
January 16, 2008
|
|
 19th Annual
Meeting-
May 4
- 6, 2007
Charleston, SC
|
|
|
Embassy Suites Hotel Airport,
Convention Center, North Charleston,
Program features included:
- Friday MajoliCake and Coffee meeting
with member presentation from
Pamela Every - What we Collect
and Why! and
Laurence Vauclair - Charles Avesseau and Palissy Ware.
-
Breakfast, Program Events, Transportation and tour
of historic Charleston, lots of antiques shopping.
- Banquet Dinner with keynote speaker
Melissa Bennie of Christie's Auction House, New York
presents - "From the Crystal Palace to Your Palace" ; a study of
majolica featured in the great exhibitions of the late 19th and early
20th centuries.
- Annual Business Meeting, with Breakfast
- Exhibition and Sale of majolica at
"Majolica Heaven 2007"
|
|
|
|
|
|
 18th Annual
Meeting-
May 4
- 7, 2006
Dallas, TX
|
|
Adolphus Hotel,
Program features included:
- Thursday MajoliCake and Coffee meeting
with member presentation from designers Susan Terral and Laurie
Wirth.
- Internet presentation by member Duane
Matthes on using the Internet to enjoy and enhance your majolica
collection and knowledge
- Friday mid-morning brunch at member home
with visits to 4 Dallas collector homes
- Saturday breakfast at the Adolphus Hotel
followed by bus tour of Dallas antique markets with Lunch
- Banquet Dinner at the Adolphus Hotel with
keynote speaker Nicholas M. Dawes
- Annual Business Meeting, with Breakfast
- Exhibition and Sale of majolica at
"Majolica Heaven 2006"
|
Keynote speaker
Nicholas Dawes was on our guest for our fabulous cocktail
hour and banquet at The Adolphus Hotel, Dallas, Texas. Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
 Friday night we found members
in the hotel lobby after their exquisite dinner in Dallas'
variety of restaurants. Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
 Past presidents Joan Stacke
and Phil English have fun addressing the convention. Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
 The banquet tables were fun
with member from all over the globe mixing and mingling.
Pennsylvanians Linda and Bill LaPointe are bookend by
Texan's Suzanne Sugg on the left, and Phyllis Kimmel on the
right. Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
Visit our our full 2006 Convention Photo Album
|
|
|
|
 17th Annual
Meeting-
April
28 - May 1, 2005
New
York,
NY
|
|
New York Hilton,
Program features included:
-
Thursday through Saturday attendees had the opportunity to
visit NYC member's collections and in some cases their
shops. It was absolutely awesome to visit some of
the finest collections of majolica in the world. Thanks
to all our New York member hosts that rolled out the red
carpets to wow and entertain the membership.
Additionally our schedules involved significant personal
schedule freedoms that allowed members to experience New
York, shopping, dinning, and Broadway night life on their
own or in small groups!
-
During Thursday's MajoliCake and Coffee a tribute to Marilyn
Karmason was given by Joan Stacke, followed by member presentations
from Jean Alonso-Defrocourt regarding majolica designer
Paul Comolera, and author Maryse Bottero regarding Techniques of Iridescence by
Clement Massier.
-
Friday morning's
brunch was a feast! David McFadden,
chief curator for the Museum of Arts and Design hosted a
round table discussion about the nature of being a
collector (the role of collectors was ably played by some
of our MIS members).
-
Friday afternoon members visited the the Cooper Hewitt
National Design Museum, a part of the Smithsonian to view
and learn about some of their majolica collection.
-
Saturday morning started with a short walk to Christie's
auction house.
They hosted a very nice breakfast with talks from two
conservationist restorers, Echo Evetts and Fritz Mang. We then had
the opportunity to browse their entire gallery.
-
Saturday evening our traditional cocktail
party was combined with a first ever preview of
Majolica Heaven. What a combination in the
Mercury Ballroom Rotunda of the New York Hilton!
Friends, fellowship, food and Majolica Heaven.
-
Sunday morning was Annual Business Meeting.
-
Finally a chance to see and buy at a breathtaking
Majolica Heaven 2005! (Majolica Exhibition
and Sale).
-
The following
are photos
from the 2005 Annual Meeting:
|
 During
Saturday night's Majolica Heaven 2005 preview
MIS
Program Chairman, Ed Flower takes a break, atop an
English majolica garden seat. I'm sure he's
just trying to think through how his efforts for next year's
program can top what he just accomplished in 2005.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 The
big smiles indicate that members Ann Mock and Sally Davis
are enjoying the MajoliCake and Coffee event or are they
just looking forward to those wonderful deserts.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 The
Harrington's are smiling too! Jim is consulting his
member packet for NYC activities and telling Mary Ann how
much fun they'll have in the "big apple" after this final
session closes down.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 At
Saturday night's Cocktail party Joan Stacke is thanking
Melissa Bennie for every thing she did to organize and host
the Christie's event and browse. Our members
interested in conservation and restoration really enjoyed
the entire program.Click Photo to Enlarge |
Tom Gruber and Elaine Widmer are always having fun if the
when the subject relates to Victorian majolica.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Phil
English tries to make one last point at the 2005 annual
meeting podium before he steps down as MIS president, after
serving since 2002.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Marsh
Wohlford and her guest are enjoying the Majolicake and
Coffee program.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 One
of our visit opportunities was to attend and educational
session at the Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt National Design
Museum. A member of the staff helps us better
understand Palissy.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 We
were lucky enough to capture a photo of this Wedgwood garden
Seat. It was also part of the lecture at the
Smithsonian's Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Our
NYC convention event at event included breakfast at
Christie's followed by educational sessions on conservation
and repair and finally an afternoon
gallery browse. Members could enjoy each other and the
chance to view and shop some beautiful art.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 MIS
members are pretty creative. Hauling off our Majolica
Heaven purchases on luggage carts. You, go
baby!!!! Will the cart's clearance make it through the
tunnel out of Manhattan?Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Annual
Event Coordinator Gabrielle Ehrenthal shares a special
moment with other members at Saturday's Majolica Heaven 2005
- Preview cocktail party. To Gabrielle's right is
dealer Philippe Meunier, his assistant Muriel Moscardini and
member Wanda MatthesClick Photo to Enlarge |
 Members
from both sides of the Atlantic enjoyed conversation at a
table that included Corinne Agesilas, Denis Rouquette,
Gerard Bottero, Maryse Bottero, and Hubert Des Forges.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 One
of our great opportunities was a visit to the fabulous
Madison Avenue antique shop of member Linda Horn. The
shop contained a wide variety of antiques but a very ample
does of our favorite Victorian ceramic. We saw many
majolica items we had never since before.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Members
Helen Nielson, Delores Miller and her guest Marti Marx enjoy one of
our member collection visits.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Members
make a toast to a once in a lifetime wonderful home visit.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Yes
-- those are Victorian majolica garden seats on display in
the special shelves in a member's home. Creativity,
whimsy and flair; what else would you expect from a majolica
collector.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Members
in NY had a use it or loose it attitude with their
collection. So they boldly used it to serve candies,
nuts and snacks.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Here
we gathered at a members home for a wonderful afternoon tea.
Every serving piece on the table was majolica. The
color and presentation of the food and the tableware were so
complementary -- we all felt like Victorian royalty. A
very special event in a wonderful home.Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
 16th Annual
Meeting-
April
30 - May 2, 2004
Orlando, FL
|
|
|
Orlando Marriot Downtown & Expo
Center,
Program features included:
-
Friday evening events opened
with MajoliCake and Coffee.
-
Continuing with a presentation from Nicholas Dawes.
-
Saturday morning's
membership Barter 'n Buy
event was very successful in the silent auction format.
-
Then
our Live Auction with proceeds going to the MIS Literary
Prize Fund. Member donations for the auction
included a contemporary masterpiece Palissy platter from
member
Geoffrey Luff.
-
MIS
members Maryse Bottero, Michael Strawser and
Gabrielle Ehrenthal each gave presentations which illustrated their
collections and their passions.
-
Saturday evening cocktail reception and
gala banquet.
-
Keynote speaker Nic Boston, "Victorian Majolica".
-
Sunday morning Annual Business Meeting
-
Majolica Heaven
2004! - Majolica
Exhibition and Sale
-
Following
are photos
from the 2004 Annual Meeting:
|
 Author
and Antique Road Show appraiser Nicholas Dawes gave our
Friday night lecture and stopped to sign his treasured book
for lucky convention attendees.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Spare
time allowed us to explore the
sites and attractions of Orlando
and charming Winter Park.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Saturday
continued with an exciting informative presentation by
French member and author Maryse Bottero. We surely all
want to invest in her current
books and look forward to her
newest book on "Banks" to be
published later this year.
The society is looking into how
we could help members buy copies
of these wonderful French
references. Stay tuned.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Member
Michael Strawser of Majolica
Auctions shared with us his our
personal collection.Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Member
Gabrielle Ehrenthal shared a
charming and beautiful
presentation that included her
collection, her passions and her
collecting wisdoms.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Our
exciting Saturday night keynote
speaker was London majolica
dealer and authority, Nic
Boston. He shared
his thoughts of Victorian times
and the role Majolica played in
the spirit of the people.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Members
enjoying one of our excellent
presentations.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Majolica
Heaven was HEAVEN as usual and
we all had a huge SHOP!.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Heaven's
display cases and walls had
something for everyone.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Heaven's
photos do the talking.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Even
butter pats can find their way
to Heaven.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Heaven's
photos do the talking.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Heaven's
photos do the talking.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Heaven's
photos do the talking.Click Photo to Enlarge
|
 Smiles
and shopping bags tell us that
members attending Annual
Convention #16 in Orlando,
Florida had a great time.
If you don't believe it -- ask
any one of them and I'm sure
they'll tell you that you missed
the finest convention ever.
Thanks to all that helped
organize and present topics,
your work was outstanding and
you energized us all.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
15th Annual
Meeting-
May 2-4, 2003
St Louis, MO
|
|
|
Millennium
Hotel,
Program features included:
-
Friday evening events opened
with MajoliCake and Coffee.
-
Continuing with "The French Connection: Romanticism to
Naturalism" by Jody Wilkie of Christie's Auction House.
-
Saturday morning's
membership Barter 'n Buy
event was very successful in the silent auction format.
-
Then
the Live Auction with proceeds going to the MIS Literary
Prize Fund
-
MIS
members Linda LaPointe, Phil English, and Carla & Bob
Benhardt each gave presentations which illustrated their
collections and their passions.
-
Saturday afternoon
continues with guided bus tours of antiques and St. Louis highlights.
Tour included Missouri Botanical Garden,
St. Louis Cathedral and the Warson Woods Antique
Gallery.
-
Saturday evening cocktail reception and
gala banquet.
-
Guest speaker Richard Dennis, "English Decorative
Arts".
-
Sunday morning Annual Business Meeting
-
Majolica Heaven
'2003! - Majolica
Exhibition and Sale
-
Following
are photos
from the 2003 Annual Meeting:
|
 Thursday
night we found the MIS Executive Board with their spouses in the
hotel lobby.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Friday and Saturday had
enough informative meetings to help enlighten and entertain
us.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
 Englishman
Nic Boston could be found chatting, teaching, selling and
buying!
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
 Our
formal meetings had members from Australia, England, every
coast of the U.S. and of course our hosts from Missouri and
the rest of Mid-America.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
 Saturday's
bus trip of St. Louis highlights made it's first stop at the
St. Louis Cathedral and we had a tour of it's mosaic
art. I caught this group of members headed back to the
bus early to bribe the bus driver to get them to
the antique shopping early!
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
 Another
bus? Now we're at the Missouri Botanical Gardens
and it's off we go in a tram to tour their beautiful
grounds. It was an absolutely perfect day with several weddings in
progress in the gardens. But there are no reports of any
members renewing
their vows!
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Off the bus we found these
"MIS sprouts" in a sprawling bank of Azaleas. Maybe
it was the near Minton pink color that encouraged
them to spring up and flourish. The smiles and colors
reinforce what a gorgeous garden it was and what a wonderful
side trip the Missouri Botanical Gardens made.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Saturday evening began with
cocktails in the Palm Court with conversations about
majolica, collections and the days events.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Friends, new and old, sharing experiences,
collecting passions and stories of the day.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Richard Dennis our
featured speaker and the owner of this great majolica teapot
collection spoke to us on "English Decorative Arts".
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Members like Jerry Leberfeld
shared and entertained us with their majolica stories and
songs.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
Sunday with our business meeting complete it was on to Heaven '03 opened with all
its treasures and wonders.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
 More
Heaven '03Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
More Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
|
 We
found authors Joan B. Stacke and Marilyn G. Karmason, M.D.
showing off their updated and enlarged book "Majolica: A
Complete History and Illustrated Survey", at Heaven '03.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
|
 Garden
seats like this is why we love majolica and marveled at Heaven '03
Click Photo to Enlarge |
|
|
|
|
14th
Annual
Meeting- May
3-5, 2002
Atlanta, GA
|
|
|
Renaissance
Waverly Hotel,
Program features included:
-
Friday evening events opened
with MajoliCake and Coffee.
-
Saturday morning's
membership Barter 'n Buy
event was very successful in the silent auction format. The
program continued with MIS members presentations which illustrated the decorative results of their collections.
-
Saturday afternoon
continues with guided bus tours of the antiques centers of Atlanta.
-
Saturday evening cocktail reception and
dinner.
-
Annual Business Meeting
-
Majolica Heaven
'2002! - Majolica
Exhibition and Sale
-
Following
are photos
from the 2002 Annual Meeting:
 Society
President, Phil English-
Kept
us informed, and on schedule throughout
the marvelous weekend that he and
LeRoy Davis constructed. Phil was especially
effective making sure we all got back
on the bus during our tours of
Atlanta's antique districts.
Click Photo to Enlarge |
 Friday
& Saturday were filled round-tables
- Care,
Cleaning, and Restoration of Majolica
- Insuring and Tracking
your Collection
- Setting a
"Direction" for your
"Collection"
- Using the Internet to
Source majolica
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
MajoliCake and
Coffee-
Joan
Stacke Graham opened our Friday
night MajoliCake and Coffee with
"A Retrospective" as only
Joan could do! Her slide show
was fantastic down to the last
carousel.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
MajoliCake and
Coffee-
Ed
Flower presented his collecting
passions, and literally defined what a
collection is and how you know when
your collection is complete! Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Barter 'n Buy
events-
Everyone needs one more piece in his collection. Especially if
they're
moving into a new home!
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Barter 'n Buy
events-
I can't wait for Majolica Heaven, I need
this piece right now!
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Barter 'n Buy
events-
Society
members examine Jim Trout's donated sunflower pitcher. Jim allowed the Barter
'n Buy proceeds from this item to
benefit Society activities.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Barter 'n Buy
events-
Paul Atterbury could even be
found sharing his knowledge of
ceramics with Chrissie, his bride to
be, while they shopped for Barter 'n
Buy bargains.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
MajoliCollege
Activities-
Frances Rothschild's gorgeous
slides presented
"Decorating with
Majolica". A tour of her
wonderful home and her many
collections.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Members
from different parts of the world enjoyed the albums that member brought to
share.
My vote for favorite albums of the
weekend were collector Roberta
McDonnell of Massachusetts and
dealer Laurence Vauclair, St. Ouen,
France.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
A
break in the program was an opportunity
to meet members and look though their
photos.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Gala
Majolica Society Banquet
Ceramic
historian Paul Atterbury as
author of many books on majolica, and
curator of a recent Victoria and
Albert exhibition was our
fantastic featured speaker for the Saturday
banquet.
He was a great choice
and many judged him our best speaker
ever! So, very entertaining and
knowledgeable.
Click
photo to enlarge |
|
Photos:
Courtesy of Jim Trout and Duane
Matthes |
|
|
|
 13th
Annual
Meeting- May
4-6, 2001
Dallas, TX
|
|
|
Marriott
Dallas Quorum,
Program features included:
-
Friday evening events opened
with MajoliCake and Coffee. The evening's presentation, "Authors and
Authorities," was organized by members of the society who have written
books and articles on their special interests in Victorian majolica.
They included Marilyn G. Karmason, together with Joan B. Stacke, Majolica:
A Complete History and Illustrated Survey (Harry N. Abrams, 1989);
Marshall P. Katz and Robert Lehr, Palissy Ware: Nineteenth-Century French
Ceramists from Avisseau to Renoleau< (The Athlone Press, 1996); and
Helen Cunningham, Majolica Figures (Schiffer Publishing, 1997).
Marshall Katz also wrote Portuguese Palissy Ware (Hudson Hills,
Press, 1999).
-
Saturday morning's
membership Barter 'n Buy
event was very successful in the silent auction format. The
program continued with MIS members Jerry Leberfeld and Jim Trout
presenting "Collecting and Collectors," with each speaker
recounting the personal and complex adventures of collecting. Slides
illustrated the decorative results of their collections. Jerry's
presentation included the music "to dream the impossible dream"
with his own "majolica" lyrics.
-
Saturday afternoon
continues with guided bus tours of the antiques centers of Dallas, with a final
breath-taking stop at the private home of one of Texas' finest collectors.
-
Following
the Saturday evening cocktail reception and dinner, curator John Keefe
presented "Grotesqueries: Form, Fantasy and Function in 19th Century
European Ceramics." This title is inspired by the magnificent
collection that was presented to the New Orleans Museum of Art in 1997 by
Brooke Hayward Duchin. The Duchin collection includes superb examples
of French and Portuguese Palissy wares as well as English and American
majolica. An extensive slide presentation accompanied Keefe's lecture. We
were pleased to that Mrs. Duchin contributed her ideas about collecting and
the special relationship of a donor to a museum.
-
Annual Business Meeting
- with new officer elections.
-
Majolica Heaven '2001! - Majolica
Exhibition and Sale
-
Photos
from the 2001 Annual Meeting:
 |
Authors
Helen Cunningham and Marshall Katz along with Wallis Katz enjoy MajoliCake and
Coffee discussions.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Pictured
here is one of 6 tables of wonderful Barter 'n Buy majolica that members
traded in a silent auction format.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Society
members on the bus ride to Dallas antique markets and a final stop at the private home of one of Texas' finest collectors.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Aviva
Leberfeld inspires Phil English to hurry or he'll miss out on the
wonderful Dallas antique shopping. Phil replied back that he was
saving some money for majolica heaven.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
McKinney
Avenue Antiques greeted members with refreshments, giant Texas
magnolias, and Victorian majolica .
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
The
way to a majolica lovers heart is with a majolica cake. Snider
Plaza Antique Shops welcomed us with a Griffen, Smith, and Hill shell
and seaweed cake stand displaying a shell and seaweed
"majolica" cake.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Members
pause from shopping to socialize. Note the wonderful smile and
also note a piece of the cake is gone.
Click
photo to enlarge |
|
John Keefe
presented "Grotesqueries: Form, Fantasy and Function in 19th Century
European Ceramics." An extensive slide presentation accompanied Keefe's lecture.
After the presentation of her collection Mrs. Brooke Hayward Duchin contributed her ideas about collecting and
the special relationship of a donor to a museum. John and Brooke also
were kind enough to sign copies of the 1997 catalogue from the Orleans Museum of Art
exhibition "Grotesqueries: Form, Fantasy and Function in 19th Century
European Ceramics."
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
After
Mr. Keefe's presentation we found time to gather in groups to discuss
majolica and convention events.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Teri
and David Stone mixed with Carla and Bob Benhardt during Saturday
evening cocktails.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
LeRoy
Davis appears to be wheeling and dealing with Linda Ketterling and John
Webster.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Linda
and Bill La Pointe stopped just long enough for Jim Trout to get this
photo.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Marshall
and Wallis Katz share a humorous story with Connie and Richard
Aranosian.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Deborah
and Phil English share antiquing stories with other members.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Duane
Matthes was lucky enough to have the company for two majolica lovers
from Texas, Suzanne Sugg and Wanda Matthes.
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Phyllis
Hays is caught looking for a party or-- at least the directions to
Majolica Heaven!
Click
photo to enlarge |
 |
Michael
Strawser used the annual meeting as a way to get the family out of
Indiana and into the Marriott swimming pool.
Click
photo to enlarge |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
