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The Review: Conference 2002
by Saarin Schwartz, from Vol. 5, No. 1, Fall 2002 issue of The Dish
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New Orleans in July?? What kind of crazy people would voluntarily
submit
themselves to the heat and humidity that drove Blanche DuBois to
distraction?
The kind who want to spend four days in Fiesta heaven and have the time
of
their lives in a city renowned for its charm and affability-that's who!
From
July 25-28, 2002, an intrepid and enthusiastic "krewe" of Homer
Laughlin
China collectors gathered in New Orleans' famous French Quarter, coming
from
as far away as Canada and as close as around the corner, to talk,
listen,
see, touch-inhale these dishes that are our shared passion. Conference
Chairperson Nancy May pulled out all the stops for this fourth annual
HLCCA
event, making it, by all accounts, the best ever.
Some who arrived early, on Thursday, took advantage of one of this
year's
many optional events-a tour of Mardi Gras World, where they went behind
the
scenes for a glimpse at how those fantastic floats come together, and
even
had a chance to don some glitzy Mardi Gras costumes. While a sudden
rainstorm
may have caused some to fear that they were destined to float away
themselves, the event was still deemed a crowd-pleaser.
Taking a cue from last year's successful opening night Fiesta Circus,
Conference attendees were treated this year to a Thursday night Mardi
Gras
party, complete with Dixieland jazz band combo, Fiesta fortune tellers,
and
get-acquainted activities that included a scavenger hunt, mask-making,
and a
murder mystery game. The event was held poolside, and in a refreshingly
cool,
adjacent conference room, at the lovely Maison DuPuy hotel, one of the
French
Quarter's finest architectural gems. Traditional muffaletta sandwiches
and
pralines were consumed, libations flowed, and numerous Cinnabar spoon
rests
were given out as prizes to those who drew a lucky card at their
readings
with Mme. La Verte, Medium. The tarot cards used by The Green Medium
for her
readings were artfully designed by Dish Editor and tireless Conference
volunteer David Schaefer, who customized the deck with Fiesta
enhancements.
The Great Ringola, Wizard Extraordinaire, gazed deeply into his crystal
ball
and saw brightly colored futures for many. The torrential downpour
earlier in
the day could not dampen the spirits of this groupÑthe good times had
begun
to roll!
Bright and early on Friday morning, President Matthew Whalen led a
workshop
on volunteer opportunities in the HLCCA. This was a chance to find out
how to
help this all-volunteer organization continue to offer its many
excellent
educational and entertaining programs. A little later that morning,
Linda
Hedlund kicked off the seminars with her fascinating presentation on
the 1939
New York World's Fair, and its HLC connection. Slides and in-person
examples
from Linda's extensive collection of World's Fair-related objects
illustrated
her talk. Linda won a Silver Award at Conference 2001 for her exhibit
on this
subject. There was also a member in the audience who had attended the
World's
Fair, and remembered the working pottery studio that was operated by
HLC and
five other companies in the Fair exhibit called "The American Potter: a
Joint
Exhibit of Capital and Labor."
With ample time to get in some independent sight-seeing, some
conferees-on
the advice of streetcar afficionado Dave Conley - rode the St. Charles
streetcar (never call them trolleys!) to the end of the line and back
again,
through New Orleans' famous "Garden District" with its grand and
stately
mansions. Thanks for the tip, Dave! Friday afternoon also was left open
for
exploring the historic French Quarter on professionally-guided walking
tours,
and, as an option, enjoying an English High Tea at the Ritz Carlton.
Those
attending the High Tea reported that it was an event to remember. The
surroundings were elegant, the refreshments delectable, and everyone
came
home with a vintage HLC cup and saucer.
On Friday evening, many in the group participated in another of the
optional
activities, a delightful riverboat cruise on the paddlewheeler Natchez.
With
strains of a Dixieland band wafting through the air, this impressive
riverboat rolled up the great Mississippi River while a vibrant sunset
turned
the sky shades of lilac, persimmon, and Fiesta red.
Saturday was a disher's dream - seminars, exhibits, opportunities for
shopping . . . and even a surprise announcement from "the brass" at
HLC. The
day began with the opening of the Show & Sale room and the Exhibition
room.
Dealers of both vintage and post-86 wares from all over the country
presented
their colorful arrays, where everything from tiny Harlequin individual
creamers to pricey Fiesta covered onion soups could be purchased (or at
least
drooled over.) Jim and Jan Van Hoven's popular go-along, the Fiesta
potty
chair, was a big hit, and mosaic garden ornaments made from Fiesta
shards by
Martha Drebes and Carol Woodall taught us not to cry over our broken
dishes.
The new 1934 HLCCA exclusive pitchers were on display, as well as Jo
Cunningham's excellent HLC reference books. Renee Raether and Peggy
Beaudoin,
from The Betty Crocker division of General Mills, Inc., went all out
with
their booth, and gave away many samples all weekend.
Down the hall, a veritable museum of rare and beautiful objects were on
display in the Exhibition room. In the center of the room, Fred
Mutchler
reprised his 1999 Grand Award-winning exhibit, "The Fiesta Ensemble."
Fred's
stunning collection of original Fiesta advertisements were brought to
life
with table settings exactly duplicating the ads. Surrounding this
visual
feast were an eye-popping assortment of exhibits. Randy and Becky
Stephens
showed their superlative collection of "HLC Stuff in Funny Colors,"
which
included rare objects such as a maroon Fiesta sweets comport and a pale
blue
Fiesta mixing bowl. A silver lustre-coated demi pot, "Lava Red" sugar
bowl,
several test-color plates, a cobalt French casserole, and many other
oddi
ties, along with detailed information display cards, earned this
exhibit the
Grand Prize of Conference 2002. Andy and Jane Flachs showed a
seldom-seen
assortment of advertising mugs in their exhibit, "Mugs Galore". A set
of Sit
'n' Sip cups, complete with the original packaging and vintage
advertising,
made a charming vignette. "The Color of Money" was the name of Nancy
Kirkpatrick and Michaela Hart's beautiful arrangement of HLC wares in a
wide
variety of greens. New Orleans resident David Schaefer took advantage
of his
close proximity to the Conference site to bring over a sample of his
mind-boggling collection of HLC ware, elegantly displayed with
examples, both
vintage and contemporary, of Fiesta in print media. "Fiesta and the
Printed
Page" was a magnificent display of magazines, cookbooks, catalogues,
and the
real-life objects they depicted. David also showed his vast collection
of
test pieces in a second exhibit, "Testing, Color, and Marketing."
David's
screen name, David3403, is a sly reference to the number on the back of
his
deep maroon "rose ebony" test-color Fiesta plates.
All the exhibits were informative and beautiful, and offered a rare
opportunity to see, in person, objects many of us had only seen before
in
reference books, if at all.
Saturday morning seminars included one led by Matthew Whalen on
searching the
Inter-net and online bidding strategies. This was an opportunity for
"newbies" and veteran collectors alike to become better-acquainted with
the
educational and collecting possibilities of the World Wide Web. Next,
Fred
Mutchler presented a seminar on the topic "Exhibits and Displays: Your
Collection Looking Good." This multiple-award winner was the perfect
host for
a tour of the Conference exhibits, and a lesson on how to create a
successful
exhibit or home display. On Saturday afternoon, Steve Beals offered a
"Jambalaya" of topics in his information-filled seminar. Steve
explained some
of the illustration techniques used in the HLCCA collector's guide, of
which
he was a principal author and illustrator, updated the HLCCA book text,
and
debunked some of the myths that have pervaded collecting lore. Using
slides,
advertising brochures, and pieces from his personal collection, Steve
demonstrated his extensive knowledge of HLC history.
The final seminar of the day was Dave Conley's "Conversation with HLC."
After
a few prepared comments, Dave fielded questions from the audience, but
kept
us on tenterhooks waiting for him to reveal the newest Fiesta color. In
a
moment of high drama, Dave not only announced the name-Shamrock-but
also
displayed a sample plate in the vibrant green color, recipitating a
chorus of
"oohs" and "aahs," and a frenzy of camera-clicking. While similar to
vintage
medium green, Shamrock is a brighter, yellower green, and is easily
distinguished when held side by side with a vintage piece. After this
exciting seminar, everyone needed a break to rest up and prepare for
the gala
evening activities.
Saturday evening's events began with a gathering in the beautiful hotel
cour
tyard, with its impressive stone fountain and lush greenery. Quite a
few
people took to heart the invitation to dress up in vintage or Mardi
Gras
attire, and there were some wild, as well as glamorous, outfits to be
seen.
The lavish banquet that followed offered many examples of New Orleans'
famous
Cajun cuisine. The banquet table was decorated with a huge ice
sculpture
depicting a vintage Fiesta carafe---a truly amazing object. Keynote
speaker
Barbara Jacksier, editor of Country Collectibles magazine, gave a
lively talk
illuminating the do's and don't's of displaying collectibles. Many in
attendance were struck with a desire to go right home and rearrange
their
dishes.
After dinner, the Exhibit and Best Article awards were announced. Randy
and
Rebecca Stephens, Fred Mutchler, and David Schaefer took home Gold
Awards for
their exhibits, and Silver Awards went to Andy and Jane Flachs and
Michaela
Hart and Nancy Kirkpatrick. Randy and Becky's "Funny Colors" exhibit
received
the Grand Award, and the People's Choice Award went to Fred Mutchler
for his
"Fiesta Ensemble." The Best Article Award was won by Sandra Bond for
her
article, "My Love Affair with Vintage Fiesta" (Vol.4, No.3, Spring,
2002)
What a lot of excitement for just one day! But wait...the night was yet
young. After dinner, the group moved to another conference room for the
much-anticipated auction, where a giant-sized Betty Boop was spotted
roaming
the room. Maintaining a brisk pace throughout, and aided by helpful
volunteers holding objects aloft, the auctioneer made his way with
skill (as
well as a dash of amazement at some of the prices realized) through
more than
300 items, ranging from humble chili bowls to the coveted prototype
Harlequin
animals, tested in post-86 colors but never put into production. These
17
animals were the stars of the evening, fetching prices that ranged from
$225
for the yellow fish to $1,300 for the plum donkey. Other items of
interest
included a Fiesta #3 mixing bowl lid in red ($450), a rare, unglazed
Fiesta
10" vase ($200), a bisque Potter's Plate ($220), a pair of post-86
lilac
pyramid candleholders ($380), a rare experimental 1-piece HLC relish
tray
($600), and several of the utensil crocks with 6-color, Conference 2002
logos
($70-85 ea).
The other decaled Fiesta crocks (limited production of 36) were the
center of
attention as table decor during dinner, and were given as door prizes
to
lucky attendees. The crocks and tables were adorned with Mardi Gras
favors
and custom- made HLCCA Conference 2002 doubloons, attached to
glittering
purple, gold, and green beads. Another Conference 2002 exclusive was
the
medium Fiesta pie baker, fired with
the same 6-color logo, which everyone received as they walked into the
dinner
banquet room Saturday evening.
Sunday's activities began with a buffet breakfast, followed by the
HLCCA
Business Meeting, the presentation of several more awards, and the
tallying
of scores from the scavenger and autograph hunts. Results of balloting
for
the new HLCCA Board of Directors were announced, as well as the
selection of
new officers. The dates and place of Conference 2003 were revealed
(July
17-20, in Pittsburgh, PA) and the assembled members voted on two
proposals
for the 2004 Conference, choosing St. Louis, MO, over Phoenix, AZ.
David
Schaefer and Fred Mutchler had yet another wonderful exhibit on
display,
showcasing HLC wares decorated with decals related to Louisiana.
The Homer & Shakespeare Award, given for the first time last year by
HLCCA
President Matthew Whalen to Nancy May, and which will be presented each
year
to a recipient chosen by the previous winner, was given this year by
incoming
President Nancy to outgoing President Matthew. He was presented with an
extraordinary stained glass sign with the HLCCA logo worked into it,
made by
the multi-talented Nancy May herself. The President's Award this year
went to
Michael Rechel for his endless and cheerful contributions to the
Association.
Sadly, Michael's intended gift, a bowl designed by Charlotte
Rhead-Frederick's sister and a recognized artist in her own right-was
broken
in transit, but will be restored. David Schaefer presented whimsical
awards
of dish soap and cloths to the "Dishwashers"-the teams of volunteers
who
proofread every issue of The Dish.
Virtually no one left empty-handed. The winning team for the Great New
Orleans Scavenger Hunt got Conference logo utensil crocks, and then
Renee and
Peggy, from Betty Crocker, gave out boxfuls of prizes.
There were two more seminars on Sunday afternoon, one an open-ended
discussion with the officers of the HLCCA, and the other a talk by
"Moozaic"
creators Joe and Michele Boeckholt. They talked, among other things,
about
the immense task of creating their life-sized mosaic cow, made from
shards of
Fiesta and other colorware. Also discussed were contemporary mosaic
art, and
they demonstrated how to make a wind chime out of Fiesta pieces. The
final
optional event was a bus tour of some of the farther-reaching sights of
New
Orleans.
It is truly astounding to realize how much was packed into four days of
Fiesta fun and learning. Conference attendees went home laden with
heaps of
door prizes, treasures acquired at the Sale and Auction, and priceless
memories of a fantastic weekend in "The Big Easy."
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