Salutations,
My name is Gabriel Craig, I am a metalsmith, writer, craft activist
and member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG). After
the most recent SNAG conference in Houston this past March I started
a facebook group and began garnering support for a name change for
the organization. Several weeks later I was approached by Harlan
Butt, current president of SNAG, to formalize my these sentiments as
a chair of the Name Change Research Committee. The committee has been
formed and is doing research directed at marketing and logistics
associated with a name change. Our most recent meeting minutes can be
found on our facebook page (above.)
I am hoping to start an objective discussion here as I know many
members of orchid/ganoksin are current or past members of SNAG, while
others are outspoken critics of the organization. I welcome all
viewpoints, and wonder aloud what do you think would make the
organization relevant to your business or studio? When I see over
8,500 members on orchid and only 3,000 or so SNAG members, I must
seriously question whether SNAG is the premier organization for
metalsmiths, jewelers, artists, and designers that it claims to be.
While I am personally for a name change please know that all
opinions expressed will be considered. I hope you will share your
considered opinion with us as we conduct our research.
Best,
Gabriel Craig
SNAG Name Change Research Committee chair