Yet another way to get involved is in our juried shows and our IADR Art Doll Convention.  We are already in the beginning stages of planning our next convention for 2026.  Since we meet only once a month via Zoom, it doesn't hurt to get this started now for a successful event as they do take a lot of planning and work.  Why not join in and be a part of this event?  Help shape it and discover new friends along the way.

Click the link below to view the videos of our first planning meeting.  One has been translated in English and one in Italian.  Keep in mind, the AI is only so smart and so am I (laughing) but I think they are understandable.  Especially because my big plan for the Zoom account to translate for us didn't work out.  We won't give up though and will still find something that will work for us.  In the meantime, let me know what you think of the videos and you can always email me at [email protected].  IADR members only have access to the video - so when you click the link below, please login to the IADR website to be taken to the videos.  Our next meeting will be July 16th - Wednesday for the Planning Meeting.

Was the IADR Art Doll Convention a success?  Yes, it could have used more artists at it... especially those offering their expertise with workshops.  Could we have had better attendance at the workshops?  Hopefully that is something that can be taken care of with more exposure of the event and more advertising.

And Yes, the IADR Art Doll Convention was a success because from the start of mentioning having a convention for 2025, we received 15 new members both in Sculpting and Fiber Arts artists.  That is a big boost to our membership and it is exciting to meet the variety of talent.

Don't let the barrier of language hold you back from participating in the planning meetings.  I am amazed on how helpful the Google Translator app helps us in understanding each other.  Otherwise there is also the "type-chat" option in the Zoom meeting which can be translated too.  The main thing is to just let me know that you would like to be involved and the rest can be figured out.  

What are those changes?  It is hard to say as we are in the middle of experiencing those changes now.  Did you know that Naples existed at the time of the Mount Vesuvius eruption in 79 AD, though luckily they did not receive the devastation of Pompeii?  Naples helps today to shine the light on Pompeii's history.  It is at Pompeii that we can see the amazing art, walk the stone roads, and just get a glimpse into an age that no longer exists.  How we have changed but also how we have remain the same too?

​I was reminded of some of the "sameness" as I walked along an ancient Roman roadway in Naples called Christmas Alley (Via San Gregorio Armeno).  It was there that I discovered that the way I structure my porcelain dolls is the same way many of the specialty figures are still made in Naples.  What are these figures used for?  They are used in the building of presepe or in English- Nativity creche. 

I was simply blown away when I saw these many displays.  Plus anything (small or large) that was created for them.  From animated figurines - to small bowls of fruit like you can see in the video.  These displays are not just about Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus. They’re elaborate scenes that depict a whole village and are quite unique from your average manger.  You’ll also find modern politicians and celebrities right along side biblical characters.  Plus, they are worked on throughout the whole year.

So what was my Italian epiphany?  That there will always be a doll market.  Dolls (figurines) express our view of the world, our spiritually, and captures those day-to-day moments in time.  Just like the artwork in Pompeii showed us, dolls help with the healing.  They give us hope in our ever changing world.  We may need to adapt and evolve to reach a new market, but dolls are timeless.  I am reminded of a quote from "The StoryTeller" by Jim Henson... 'They are a luxury.  Therefore a necessity.'  Meaning - that once someone experiences a luxury, it can become so deeply ingrained in their life and habits that they begin to perceive it as essential, or a "necessity".  Such is a doll!

Don't miss out on the fun by taking a peek into the IADR Art Doll Convention video now on our IADR YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7lGLb-xPus​.