by Mary Towner
A few weeks ago, the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh held its kickoff meeting for Fiberart International 2019. Setting the tone with her signature enthusiasm, FI Director Rae Gold presented with lots of information and more than an armload of volunteer sign-up clipboards.
Much of the FI2019 groundwork has been laid. We have three outstanding jurors; the prospectus and calls for entry have gone out; jurying has been structured; events are solidifying.
With five previous Fiberart Internationals under my belt, I was familiar with this meeting’s scenario, but each International begins fresh and new. As the meeting moved along and Rae explained the myriad of tasks and bodies needed, I was once again struck by two things: a) The sheer magnitude of this undertaking, and b) the unflagging commitment and enthusiasm of our Guild members. As often happens, I felt proud of our organization.
Then my mind went back to the beauty of those previous Internationals, and I felt gratitude and respect for past and future artists who share their work with us and our audience. A Christmas-morning type anticipation filled me over viewing the 2019 International artwork.
Then it hit me: Synergy.
Synergy is defined as, The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their separate effects. Or more simply, The creation of a whole that is greater than the simple sum of its parts. More than mere cooperation or combined effort, Fiberart International becomes something magical that couldn’t happen without both its artists and its producers.
I for one am looking forward with great anticipation to the synergistic undertaking of Fiberart International 2019!