Western Conference goes East - the Far East!

The Guild's 2001 Western Conference may be one of the most exciting yet. The site is the spectacular Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, California, on the tip of the Monterey Peninsula. The California State Parks Web site gives directions and other information.

Thanks to the efforts of Chris Madigan, Len Brackett, and others intent on making the most of craft traditions and architecture in our short time there, we're seeking some very interesting presenters. We see a strong emphasis on Japanese design, tools, and techniques, with workshops on Japanese hand planes and techniques (including a plane race sponsored by Hida Tools), sharpening, tool care and use, Japanese modular house frame system, temple layout, Minka buildings, bathhouses, Japanese compound roof layout and framing, and Japanese joinery. Experts on Japanese architecture will describe how it influenced architects such as Frank Lloyd Wright and Greene and Greene.

Greene and Greene will have special emphasis: several historic Arts and Crafts buildings are in the area (besides a dozen at Asilomar). We plan to tour Charles Greene's studio and the James house, as well as a Frank Lloyd Wright house and the Robinson Jeffers Tor house.

Doug and Martha Lingen will reprise the bamboo demonstration they gave at Salishan last year. We may have a demonstration of African carving by Mbah Salle of Cameroon. Jan Lewandoski will update us on his restoration and re-erection of two 18th century Chinese timber frames in Massachusetts with visiting Chinese carpenters.

Be aware that the Conference weekend is also Easter. We plan full day pre-Conference workshops on Thursday, April 12; the Conference starts Friday and ends at noon on Sunday. Since we've been trying for years to get into Asilomar (most groups come back every year) and this date became available, we grabbed it. -- Will Beemer

NOTE: You must use the official Asilomar Housing Registration Form. Print the form and mail it with a check for full payment or fax it with your credit card number. TELEPHONE RESERVATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Use one form per person.

Travel Arrangements: Airfare rates into Monterey, San Jose, or San Francisco are no higher at Easter if you make your reservations early. San Francisco is the farthest away (2 hours) but usually has better fares and rental car rates. While it's a shakeup to travel on a holiday, we can think of no better place for a sunrise service or an Easter egg hunt than a Pacific beach.

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