The IGMA Board has again funded and endorsed the Independent Study Program for the fiscal year 2024. This grant is a great opportunity to do something for yourself, the Guild, and miniatures in general. Applications are now available here and can be submitted for consideration.
The Guild’s Board of Trustees created the Independent Study Program solely for the benefit of Fellow Members. The purpose of the grant is to enable the recipient(s) to do research connected with a specific object, technique, material, historical setting, or to expand the Fellow member’s skills, consistent with the theme “miniatures as an art form.” A stipend in the form of a grant totaling $2000 is available, but it may be divided if more than one Fellow receives the grant. The grant may be used for transportation, lodging, admissions, food, workshop fees, and so forth. The project is expected to be completed in a reasonable time period of 12 to 18 months.
The Guild expects to receive some benefit as a result of the independent study grant. This could be in the form of articles in Guild publications, lectures at Guild events, a slide or video presentation for Guild use, or donation of a piece resulting from your research to a Guild or Guild School auction. Other avenues are also possible.
Now is a great time for you to take advantage of this opportunity. Applications are due to be received by February 15th, 2025 and should be sent by email (or USPS) to:
Bev Greenwell
Cristina Minischetti, Italy
"Thanks to the ISP I was able to learn Filato Mosaics, a technique developed in Italy in the 18th century to make micro mosaics, where the mosaics tiny tiles are made with a special glass that is fused, pulled in thin strands and cut in small pieces.
The class was taught by a master mosaicist from the Vatican City (Rome) where the technique was born and kept secret for centuries. "
Sylvia Mobley, USA
"I was able to travel from California to Florida to attend a Sculptural Felting class being taught by Deborah Pope at the NIADA conference . Deborah is an excellent teacher and I could not possibly live long enough to figure out on my own all that I learned with her.”
2002
Peter Kendall
Research on a counting house, Rhode Island
2004
Lee-Ann Chellis Wessel
Study of Italian Majolica Pottery
2007
Barbara Stanton
Development of etching techniques in miniature
2007-8
Noel and Pat Thomas
Research on the aging of French structures over the centuries
2008-9
Bonni Backe
Research in Norwegian double weave coverlets
2011
Brooke Rothshank
Study of egg tempera painting technique
2013
Ann High
Study French Medieval design and its influence on early English furniture
Carolyn Curran
Broaden her skills to use of metal clay
2013-14
Hiroyuki Kimura
Observe, sketch and photograph a wide range of animals, including many uncommon species, for future reproduction in miniature
2014
Sylvia Mobley
Learn sculptural felting techniques and adapt to a miniature scale; work with other sculptural mediums
Cristina Minischetti
Study “filati mosaic,” a different mini-mosaic technique