FOR IMMEDIATE RELAESE
JULY 29, 2007


Contact: Kitty Turgeon, Conference Coordinator
716-652-4477
Email: sstarks@adelphia.net
www.roycroftconference.com

Meeting of the Minds on the Historic Roycroft Campus
Roycroft Campus Arts & Crafts Conference
The Connection: 2007
October 26-28, 2007

4th Annual Conference Celebrating WNY's Historic Turn of the 20th Century Arts & Crafts Trail

East Aurora, NY - The great minds of the turn of the 20th century is the theme of this intimate gathering of Arts & Crafts enthusiasts.  It is the International Arts & Crafts Movement and the great men and women who espoused its philosophy that changed the world a little over one hundred years ago.  From the 1860's to the 1920's, this historic social and artistic eruption that turned against the Industrial Revolution and embraced a human connection to our material surroundings was meant to discover a better way to live.

The Arts & Crafts Revival, now approaching the same number of years as the original wave, has also become a phenomenal reaction to intellectual progress i.e. the electronic world.  This revival and the education it offers is another opportunity to balance life for the future with the hand and heart!

All of the Roycrofters celebrate our treasure of Arts & Crafts sites in Western New York and we recognize that, as it was then, we are all connected to the rich legacy of Arts & Crafts worldwide.

For more than 20 years, the Roycroft Campus has intermittently hosted long weekend conferences with a focus on brining together top-notch scholars to emphasize the wealth of knowledge and share it with colleagues and friends from near and far.

We continue to reach abroad this year. Our keynote speaker will be William Whitla, the well-known scholar of the William Morris Society Canada.  His time in England brings an upfront and personal view of William Morris, the Father of the Arts & Crafts Movement.

Marjory Sgroi will be the final speaker presenting dazzling slides of the Tours Across the Atlantic she has arranged and hosted.  As always, we have brought local experts from our Western New York area to enlighten our participants.

Annegret Richards will share her intimate, now almost vintage slides, from her year living in Frank Lloyd Wright designed Darwin D. Martin House while its restoration was a "glint in the eye".

Sally Cunningham, Western New York Celebrity Gardener, is revisiting a lecture given in Alaska at a National Conference on Environmental Concerns.  With her remarks, she will acknowledge the quest for Nature & Advocacy and how it is one of the original principals of the Arts & Crafts Movement and its philosophy on landscaping and farming.

The new Town of Aurora Historian, Robert Goller will combine his experience as the editor of the East Aurora Advertiser with hisaccess to Aurora's archival original photographs to narrate the "love/hate" relationship between the Roycroft and the community.

Finally, we will connect south to Asheville, North Carolina to bring Lynne Poirier-Wilson, curator of the Asheville Art Museum, to give and in-depth look at Roycroft's largest commission, the Grove Park Inn.

After the noon meal on Saturday or Sunday Brunch at The Roycroft Inn, each afternoon is open to tour the Elbert Hubbard Museum and the Roycroft Arts Museum.  These two museums have the best collections of Roycroft in the world.  Every Campus building will have ongoing demonstrations by Roycroft Renaissance Artisans and chats about recent Arts & Crafts happenings.  Printing press, metal work, block and silkscreen, leatherwork, woodcarving, hand illuminating, and fine art will be demonstrated and discussed by artisans and experts of this generation.   Western New York's ghost and paranormal expert, Mason Winfield, will discuss our sacred site secrets.

Friday evening features a special reception to preview and commence bidding on The Silent Auction.  The Roycroft Renaissance Artisans who are donating their hand-wrought creations will be in attendance as the guests of honor and will be available to discuss their craft with bidders and admirers alike.  The Silent Auction will be an ongoing event throughout the weekend and the winners will be announced on Sunday afternoon.  All proceeds will be donated directly to the restoration of the Roycroft wall and lampposts.

Our Saturday highlight will continue to be the Arts & Crafts Dining Experience with Sandy Starks and Sharon Osgood of Slow Food Buffalo and Roycroft Inn host Dan Garvey.  This seven-course extravaganza with wine and brew pairings will be an epicurean learning experience as well as a relaxing evening.

Boice Lydell, Roycroft expert and collector, will host the Sunday afternoon finale with the Appraisal Fair that allows guests the opportunity to receive a verbal appraisal of an object or photo for a modest fee.

Roycroft Campus Arts & Crafts Conference: The Connection 2007 will be held on the National Historic Landmark Roycroft Campus in East Aurora, NY.  A Conference Pass is available that includes entry all lectures and pass holders qualify for a discounted rate for the Artisan Auction reception and the Arts and Crafts Dining Experience.  An a la carte fee schedule is also available to accommodate those who are unable to attend for the entire weekend.  Limited overnight accommodations are available at The Roycroft Inn and The Hampton Inn and reservations can be made by calling either Inn directly.  The Roycroft Inn will be offering a special price for the all inclusive lunch buffet on Saturday and Brunch on Sunday to conference attendees.

To register contact The Roycroft Inn - 1-877-652-5552 or visit our website www.roycroftconference.com.

The 2007 Connection Post Conference Excursion

Continue the Arts & Crafts conference experience by joining a 3-day little journey to the wonderful Arts & Crafts sites in Western New York.

An all-inclusive price, with first class accommodations at The Roycroft Inn and meals featuring local cuisine and products, gives you the ultimate Arts & Crafts experience. Visit Frank Lloyd Wright's designed Graycliff and Darwin martin Complex and Buffalo's South Park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted that includes a look at the magnificent Botanical Gardens and Our Lady of Victory Basilica.

Professional guides lead VIP tours, on a deluxe motor coach, of historic sites such as Louis Sullivan's Guaranty Building, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Albright Knox Art Gallery and Richard Upjohn's St. Paul's Cathedral.

This excursion is limited to 24 guests, so early registration is advised.

To register contact Ashton Drye Associates, visit www.ashton-drye.com or call 716-667-3359.