Letter from the Editor

By Marian Bradley

Well, here it is--my first newsletter as Editor and what an experience this has been. Everything from a new software program, a computer crash, a move with my husband from Denver, Colorado to Billings, Montana and lots more has been a part of this first issue and it is something I won’t ever forget. Don’t get me wrong, it has been so much fun and in doing this newsletter I have met some of the nicest people who are members of ATA. My thanks to all who have helped me during the past month or so.

This issue is focusing on education--from the new ATA Mentoring Program, to teaching children, to being a teenage apprentice and so much more. I hope everyone enjoys the articles as much as I did. This topic is one I “inherited” and I must admit I had some doubts about it, but was very pleased with the articles I received.

Our next issue is related to this one in some ways. Education is sharing all that we are and all the passion we have about our art. So, I am asking ATA members to write a piece about themselves and their work (including some techniques they may use). Included in these articles I would like to see pictures of your work, your studio, your looms and anything else you might like to share. Please send your article and photos to me at MarianBradley@attbi.com by May 1. Keep your articles to a maximum of 800 words--I know this might be difficult, but please try so I can accommodate all the articles received. You may notice this issue of the Newsletter is not full of photos. Please remember to send several photos with the article you submit.

Also, as you may have noticed an article on Technology (email) was included in this issue. I would like to include similar types of articles in future issues, so if anyone has any ideas for future subjects, please let me know. One thought was the possibility of an article on designing tapestries with a computer. I am sure several ATA members do use a computer to design and I would love to work with one or more of these members to include a piece on design.

By the way, my personal plug--Karen Crislip and I are co-chairing the Small Format Frontiers (unjuried show) being sponsored by ATA during Convergence 2004 in Denver. For further information, please email us at Frontiers2004@msn.com and we will get your an entry form and prospectus.

Well, time for me to take a break before the next issue. If anyone has any questions or thoughts about future newsletter topics, please email me. I would love to hear from you. Also, of course, I am looking for volunteers to help me put out future issues.

Marian