BSMGP Exhibition Launch Friday 23 July
No such event would be complete without thanks. First, to the ext time the phone rings, remind me to be out! A BSMGP exhibitors for their creativity and forbearance in awaiting Exhibition. What a good idea. Of course I'd love to help! instructions. To Mel, I take my hat off for her boundless energy Thus spake the naïve but enthusiastic volunteer when first pressed and sheer dynamism. To Ginger for the hours, days and weeks into service. she spent on the catalogue and to Douglas for his sage advice, That was before the `team' first met, (Mel Howse, the boss, calming experience and for inventing a cunning device to drive Ginger Ferrell, Douglas Hogg and I) and the enormity of our in 240 screw eyes! To all members of Council for their wisdom, endeavour became apparent. I understand that we have Mel's encouragement and elastic purse strings, to Goddard and Gibbs dad to thank for teaching his daughter, `if a thing's worth doing for allowing us to invade their studio, and for storing and it's worth doing well', and by golly she took him literally. From transporting the exhibits, and to Caroline Swash and the the start it was not going to be a hit and miss affair. Every detail Cochrane Gallery for donating their superb exhibition space. was nailed down and standards set high. Work was carved up Finally to a certain Jacobus Boone, a kindly member who offered and the electronic super highway glowed red as the master plan help with hanging and sundry last minute jobs but who ended evolved; sorting out the venue, size of panels, fees, title (thereby up as hero of the hour, missing the entire launch event in Queen hangs a long and curly tale!), catalogues, hanging system, wall Square whilst waiting for the arrival of the catalogues, `lost in displays, publicity, Ordinaries selection, transport, insurance . . . traffic' and arriving 2 minutes before the Private View started. the list goes on. But we did have fun! Hurrah! In the end, and with only a hint of last minute nerves, it all With hindsight, our one major shortage was TIME. A two-year came together and we hope everyone who took part and/or who run in would not have been unreasonable and would have given came to the launch will agree, the result was spectacular. The everyone a bit more breathing space, exhibitors and organizers quality and variety of exhibits were wonderful, a happy and alike ­ so be warned you potential volunteers for the next one ­ healthy mêlée of traditional and contemporary work showing the start hiding your light under a bushel now!!! world that the Society is alive and kicking, a perfect illustration of my favourite (and almost only) Latin phrase, `Respice, Helen Robinson Prospice', Look back, Look forward. OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday 10 am­6 pm. Cochrane Theatre Gallery, Southampton Row, London WC1B 4AP; tel: 0207 269 1600.

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EXHIBITION CATALOGUE The colour Exhibition Catalogue is available from Mel Howse, The Glass Studio, Hambrook Business Centre, Cheesman's Lane, Hambrook, West Sussex PO18 8XP (tel: 01243 575930; email: studio@melhowse.co.uk). Price £6 inc P&P - cheques made payable to BSMGP please.

(Top) Visitors and exhibitors and the launch event. Members of the exhibition team, Douglas Hogg FMGP (above left), Mel Howse AMGP (above) and Ginger Ferrell AMGP (left), with their panels.

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