IDAL News Article

For close to a quarter-century, the International Decorative Artisans League (IDAL), formerly the Stencil Artisans League, Inc. (SALI) has helped its members grow their skills and talent through innovative training. As the industry’s leading non-profit educational organization, IDAL makes training and member development its focus.

All artisans have a unique background of learned skills that enhances their portfolio and their ability to market themselves in a world of talented people. As the economic situation improves, competition for clients will be tight. Improving skills and updating your portfolio will be key to building a strong client base as people reinvest in their homes and places of business. The most valuable way to build new skills and update your offerings is through training.

Talk to any professional artisan about training and you’ll hear the same themes again and again. Formal training gives you an edge. A single class can teach you more than you would learn in years of self-training.  Classes teach you techniques that result in profit.  Learning how to handle your tools and materials maximizes your options. For many, gaining access to formulas, recipes and new products is worth its weight in proverbial gold.

Worried about cost? If you sell one or two jobs using the samples you make in classes, you’ve recouped your investment. If you have a business, training is often tax deductible. Plus, the networking opportunities, and friendships you make, are, as the saying goes, “priceless”.

Everyone these days is looking for value. One of the best training values to be had is right around the corner…the 24th Annual International Decorative Artisans League Convention and Exposition, from July 20 - 25, in Memphis, Tenn. The IDAL Convention and Exposition provides extraordinary educational opportunities in the growing artisan training market, this year offering more than 80 classes in a five-day period.

IDAL develops the Convention’s education program with several things in mind.  Teacher reputation and professionalism, curriculum quality and diversity, and the student experience all come into play in choosing the classes offered each year at Convention. With five days of concurrent classes, students “learn traditional and new techniques, improve existing skills and use a vast assortment of products all in one place” says Pamela Hernandez, IDAL Board Liaison for Education and Instructors.

IDAL’s international group of instructors are experienced professionals.  The industry’s top artisans have developed and taught classes at Convention for many years. How are classes selected? Classes are proposed online by instructors during an open submission season each autumn. Anyone can submit a class proposal. Sometimes, in response to IDAL demographics and member suggestions, specific topics are considered and potential teachers approached.  All submissions are reviewed by the Education Committee, and a balanced curriculum of classes is designed.

Classes appropriate to all skill levels are offered.  Hands-on classes include stenciling, murals, trompe l’oeil, concrete finishes, decorative painting, faux finishing, gilding, fine art, color matching, color trends and more. Business marketing lectures help you save money and time, and learning from other members’ experiences helps you get away from your desk for more creative time.

Classes, demonstrations and lectures range from a half-day to two full days. In class, students often take one or more finished samples home, as well as formulas and sometimes, tools.  Classes are sized so that students receive individual attention if needed. More experienced classmates often lend a hand or advice to those new to finishing or new to a particular technique, often enhancing the instructor’s advice.  Many times, discussion erupts among the entire class, where tips and advice are freely exchanged.

Additional training value is found in the Exposition, where the industry’s top manufacturers showcase their newest products and schools and studios offer additional training opportunities. Demonstrations both in exhibitors’ booths and on the Demo Stage expose attendees to a mind-boggling array of technique and product. “The Expo features long-time leaders in the industry as well as exciting new emerging companies with innovative products that promise to enhance portfolios and increase profitability” says Linda Banning, IDAL Board Liaison for Business and Sponsorships. In addition, industry related non-profit organizations attend to introduce their programs and products. Vendors recognize the benefits of sharing their products and services with the highly targeted market that IDAL provides.

IDAL Membership

IDAL members enjoy additional educational and business training through participation in IDAL’s regional or online chapters.  Chapters host frequent classes taught by other members, local artisans, IDAL’s “stable” of traveling instructors or manufacturers’ representatives.  In addition, Chapters are involved in extensive philanthropic work in their communities.

Several levels of membership are offered, with member benefits staggered to the chosen level.  Members at most levels are eligible to apply for professional third party liability insurance. Some member levels receive additional benefits such as publications and directory listings.  Professional and Business Partner level members may apply for an array of insurance benefits (including health insurance for individuals and groups and various business insurance options), discounted membership as an ASID Industry Partner, and listings in the IDAL Resource Guide and on the IDAL website. Additional benefits and information may be found at www.decorativeartisans.org.

All members receive the full-color quarterly magazine, ArtisphereTM.  The magazine includes how-to articles, an “Ask the Experts” column, product reviews and new product news.  Event news and member, chapter and organization information round out the magazine.

Join Us In Memphis!

The Memphis Cook Convention Center, in downtown Memphis, Tenn., is the location for the 24th Annual International Decorative Artisans League Convention and Exposition.  The official convention hotel is the attached Marriott Memphis Downtown.

The IDAL Convention and Exposition is open to the public.  Single-day registration is available. IDAL members enjoy discount registration, free Expo entry and numerous “official” social activities. Registered attendees can participate in the Happy Hour reception (Monday evening), a Welcome Reception (Tuesday evening), a private (members and guests only) Expo preview party (Wednesday evening) and the Awards Reception and Banquet (Saturday evening).  Expo admission for non-registered attendees is $10.

The members-only Annual General Meeting is held on Tuesday evening before the Welcome Reception. The keynote speaker is Helen Morris, owner of The Stencil Library.  Helen’s company, widely known for its highly creative stencils and for her unique approach to the artform, is located in the United Kingdom.  Helen has been a teacher and exhibitor at convention for many years and is one of the most entertaining artisans in our membership.

At the annual convention, members and the public are welcome to participate in our Philanthropic Project.  This year we are painting and donating a triptych (three-panel) mural, designed by member Pam Cobb, to the Wings Cancer Center.  The mural will be dedicated and presented to Wings at noon on Friday, July 24. 

Information about IDAL’s 24th Annual International Decorative Artisans League Convention and Exposition can be found, along with on-line registration, at www.decorativeartisans.org or by calling 740.452.4541.

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