It is hard to imagine but 10 years ago there was no HTA directory of tile and mosaic artists, no web site to upper Midwest tile artists, no maps of tile of MN and WI, no tile festival within 500 miles. Galleries and art centers did not considered having shows of tile artists and  articles in the media on handmade and mosaic tile were virtually non existent.  There was no newsletter devoted to tile issues and no meetings to discuss tile issues.  Very little was out there that could help a tile artist grow to their full potential.
Over the past 9 years the members of the HTA have set out to change those issues by collaborating together to make a directory, submitting to galleries to have shows of tile work, creating a website, linking their websites, creating a tile festival, developing a better understanding of historical tiles, hosting and attending meetings to learn more about how to be better businesses, meeting other artists and the list goes on.  It is easy to take these achievements and concepts for granted now that we have them but it is important as we start to contemplate the next 10 years and what is missing in our field now. We need to ask ourselves these questions and more:  What should we be trying to achieve as a group?  How are we engaging new members to feel welcome to the organization.  How are we helping more established artists reach their goals?  How do we afford to grow as a volunteer based organization? What are your questions?
The HTA board had its meeting in May and is developing a survey to help get a better understanding of what members would like to see happen over the next 5 to 10 years. We discussed issues of growth locally and nationally and what types of events do members want planned. How can we keep our members connecting to each other.  How can we foster members to continue to collaborate with each other to learn about marketing, design new products, create art, build friendships and become better business professionals?  We still have a lot to accomplish and your voice, time, and energy is needed to make sure opportunities continue to happen for tile and mosaic artists.  We will be hoping to have the survey done by the end of June to early July.  Please take the time to tell us your thoughts. 

We are looking for venues to have meetings for 2008 l If you would like to host a meeting please contact the HTA to set one up.  josh@handmadetileassociation.org