CAS COLLECTORS CONVENTION 2011: A WORLD OF FUN!
“Around the world I’ve searched for you. . .”
It was the evening of August 27th, and the search
was finally over! Our intrepid band of CAS world travelers and their helpful tour
guides, (aka your CAS Collectors Board), were out in force! Inside the
brightly-decorated Cedar Room of Madison’s
Yes, the big event was finally here: the 2011 CAS Collectors
Convention, “Around The World With CAS!”
After a day spent trolling for treasures at the WPA Show
& Sale, the crowd of Convention attendees was ready for fun – and fun they
found! There was a “souvenir stand”, well-stocked with straw hats, leis, and
plush monkeys. . personalized “passports” for visits
to each internationally-themed banquet table. . .and high-flying balloons, vintage
“World’s Fair” posters, and a colorful international décor to set the mood. Our
CAS Raffle again did brisk business, thanks to a beautiful CAS-themed quilt,
created and donated by June Behnke. (The lucky winner: Kathy Plehn).
The annual Club Auction proceeded at a peppy pace, once again under the leadership of
professional auctioneer Shirley Baumann. And, as always, there were prizes
galore! Each member took home a 2011 Commemorative – a ceramic Coaster, emblazoned with the club logo, complete with accompanying stand
(ongoing appreciation to our resident keepsake creator, “Commemorative Queen”
Lisa Louis.) Among the dizzying array of door prizes were bountiful “
Then, there were
the “On Display” winners. This marked the eighth year for the
contest, which gives club members the opportunity to creatively display their
CAS pieces in themed categories. The themes change each year, and of course, so
do the winners. Here are the results from Convention 2011:
“E.T.--Phone Home” by Lisa Louis.
(A CAS-themed take on the classic movie, with “Running
Boy” starring as “Elliot”.)
“A Wee
Scotch?” by Pat Johnson. (The “Wee Scots” and an empty bottle of Chivas
Regal. Need we say more?)
“In Their
Native Element” by Don Johnson & Hank Kuhlmann. (Tour guide
“Pioneer Susie” comes upon the “Balinese” dancers in a Tiki-themed
setting.)
“Small World”
by Hank Kuhlmann and Don Johnson. (The CAS “Wee” figurines visit
Disney’s “Small World” exhibit at the 1964 World’s Fair.)
“A World of
Fairs” by Betty Carson. (Authentic souvenirs from World’s Fairs of
the past, arrayed around the admiring CAS figures “Jim & June”. The
souvenirs were later auctioned off as a benefit for the club.)
“Russian
Rhapsody” by Pat Johnson. (Colorful “nesting dolls” formed a
colorful background for the CAS “Russian” and “Polish” pairs.)
“A
“Out For
A Spin” by Lisa Louis. (The “Sitting Dutch” took a whirl in a vintage ceramic
auto. And guess who was in the driver’s seat?)
“A ‘Tail’ of
the Mouse & Cheese” by Mary Lamm-Feltman. (Over the past
year, the exploits of our globe-trotting “Mouse” have been celebrated in this
newsletter. The display presented computer visuals of his exciting
journeys.)
“Two
Originals” by Don Johnson and Hank Kuhlmann. (A
studio portrait of Betty, posed by her modern masterpiece “Dawn”.
Definitely two originals!
And, last but certainly not least, (drum roll,
please), our “BEST OF SHOW”:
“THE
HILLS ARE ALIVE”, by PAT
JOHNSON. (“The Sound of Music” reborn!
Members of the CAS “All Children’s Orchestra” were cast as the Von Trapp
children, with “Pioneer Susie” as “Maria”. Adding to the
Austrian flavor: a toy goat warbling “The Lonely Goatherd”!)
(Several “On Display” contest categories honored these
departed Ceramic Arts Studio friends: Betty Harrington, Reuben Sand, Mildred
“Millie” Ehle, Flossie Young Balch, Sid Foye, Martha Pendleton, Rose Segerson,
Margaret Purucker, and Karl Ahlen.)
All “On Display” winners received Certificates of Merit,
accompanied by their very own “Olympic Medals”! Pat Johnson’s prize for “Best
of Show” was a“1933-34 Chicago World’s Fair” poster,
which had been decorating our party room. (Other sought-after “World’s Fair” posters
went to Barb Patzer, in the display entry drawing (“San Francisco 1939”), and to
Lynn Kingmen, in the door prize drawing (“
Of course, the best part of any CAS Convention is the
opportunity to mingle with friends who share a common interest in Ceramic Arts
Studio and its legacy. And what a thrill to talk with those who actually were a
part of the Studio in its heyday – our honored guests this year, Ruth Paulson,
Itzy Sand, and Marlys Wilkinson, and members of their families. We were also
pleased to welcome Lenny Ahlen, son of our late friend Karl Ahlen, and his
fiancée, Lori. Yes, a wonderful time was had by all!
As promised, Convention 2011, “Around The World With CAS!” truly was “your passport to fun and excitement”! What could be better?
Why, Convention 2012, of course! Make plans now to attend!
THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES—
AND SEE YOU IN
“A
CAS SUMMER VACATION!”