Members of the International Decorative Artisans League (IDAL) will soon be traveling from across North America and from several countries around the globe to attend their annual national conference in San Diego, California. The conference will be held Sept. 25-29 at the Town and Country Resort & Convention Center in the heart of San Diego’s Mission Valley.
This year, IDAL is partnering with the Concrete Decor Show to present the educational offerings associated with the Paint Decor Annex, an exhibit area dedicated to promoting the decorative paint and faux finishing industry. The workshops and seminars will present the year’s best in education and training for decorative artists at all experience levels.
With numerous one- and two-day decorative art seminars and workshops in various categories, attendees will be able to sharpen their artistic techniques and hone their business skills.
“Currently, we have 26 classes being led by 22 of the finest decorative artisans in the country,” states Glenda Mosley, IDAL’s president. “This is gearing up to be the best IDAL conference ever.”
Attendees will also find many of their favorite instructors returning, however, greater emphasis has been made on bringing in new faces and a wider variety of classes. Many of the instructors this year are trending toward more modern, contemporary wall and ceiling finishes. Some have added metallic paints, glass beads and foils to their portfolio of finishes.
Several classes that are always favorites among the decorative artists are those focusing on cabinet and furniture finishes. In addition, master artisans are leading classes in fresco and elegant polished, Italian lime plaster. Other classes sure to be a hit are the four classes being taught for muralists and fine artists and the class geared to teaching the techniques for using the new mica products.
“We believe that we will draw a great deal of attention from the concrete contractors because they are already using some of the faux and decorative art techniques in their daily operations,” says Mosley. “The class on bas-relief and the two business classes should be especially popular.”
Sponsors for IDAL’s educational event will be onsite with their booths and demos. Platinum sponsor for the educational event is Kelly S. King, owner of Kelly S. King Academy. Many in the decorative arts industry use King’s popular line of decorative paints and textures, Perfetto Paints. He will be teaching a class using his Rescue and Resurface painted paper countertops.
Golden Paintworks, Novacolor, Polka Dot Socks and Citadel Insurance Services are a few other notable sponsors that will be at the event. In addition to the sponsors, a variety of vendors will have booths set up during expo hours.
IDAL will also be holding its annual general meeting during the show where Mosley will unveil IDAL’s “Vision for the Future.” The entire IDAL board of directors recently spent time with Mark Golden at his retreat in New York where Golden led the board through a series of training exercises that eventually led to a long-term strategic plan for IDAL’s future and growth. Crista Cloudier will be the convention guest speaker and will speak to the working artists.
During this fast-paced week, a philanthropic project is planned to provide IDAL members a chance to give back to the community. Several social events are planned during the week with fun activities for attendees. For more information concerning IDAL and its events, please visit www.decorativeartisans.org
