Saturday, June 29, 2013

HOW TO BECOME A MASTER DOCENT


For those docents wondering what it takes to become a Master Docent, the following guidelines have recently been offered. If you have any questions or comments, if you are on the blog click on comments and add your thoughts/questions. If you are reading this on email, I don't believe you can do a comment there, you will need to go to the article in the actual blog.

HOW TO BECOME A GRAYCLIFF MASTER DOCENT
For those who have already been certified (or are in training) to become a Graycliff Docent, the next question is usually: How Do I Become a Master Docent?

First, what is a Graycliff Master Docent?
  A Graycliff Master Docent demonstrates an in-depth knowledge of the career of Frank Lloyd Wright, Graycliff as an example of Organic Architecture, the Martin Family and the Graycliff Conservancy's restoration endeavors. Graycliff Master Docents are expected to show a commitment to Graycliff, to focus on visitors interests and needs (including the ability to meet time constraints of tours,) encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors, and to take the initiative to learn more related to Wright's work and life, his relationship to the Martins, the Martins’ life and times and to Graycliff’s restoration endeavors.

   Docents are invited to become a Master Docent, based on the following minimum requirements:

1) Service for a minimum of two years as a Graycliff Docent

2) Giving a minimum of nine tours per year

3) Taking a refresher Master Architectural Tour
                  a.  Next year, a special lecture or tour relating to the historic landscape may also be required.

4) Joining the Graycliff Volunteer Blog

5) Having no complaints from visitors, to be able to meet tour time constraints, reliability, and willingness to encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors.



  Additionally, Graycliff expects that Master Docents will undertake on-going self-study, which includes such things as:

     1) Attending the annual Graycliff lecture series

     2) Attending lectures related to architecture and landscape architecture offered elsewhere

     3) Visits to other architectural sites, both local and national
                     a. Especially those by Wright
                     b. Or with landscapes by Ellen Biddle Shipman

     4) Attending Graycliff restoration updates
                      a. Usually given at Spring Clean Up, Annual Meeting and Volunteer Dinner and other times

      5) Attending other Graycliff talks and lectures
                    a. Additional talks and lectures are often given during the off season
                    b. Sometimes feature experts in the field, such as authors of reports, etc.

     6) Additional readings about Wright and related subjects

     7) Researching and giving talks and lectures themselves about a related topic, to Graycliff volunteers

Naturally, not everyone can do all of the self-study things listed above, based on their availability here in WNY, and their commitments to family, friends, work and the like. However, it’s expected that Master Docents will do at least some of these things each year.

ONCE YOU BECOME A GRAYCLIFF MASTER DOCENT

To maintain your status as a Graycliff Master Docent, you must do the following:

     1) Give a minimum of nine tours per year (unless excused due to illness or other acceptable extenuating circumstance)

     2) Give Basic as well as In-Depth tours

     3) Be current on Graycliff restoration and research, as reported in talks and printed materials for this purpose

     4) Read the Graycliff Volunteer Blog
             a. Contribute to the Graycliff Volunteer Blog, with info and photos on other Wright sites, interesting info you read about Wright, etc etc. and comments

     5) Have no complaints from visitors

     6) Be able to meet tour time constraints

    7) Be reliable for tours

    8) Encourage membership and volunteerism among visitors

    9) Continuing self-study as noted above.

Upcoming Lecture

If you note the poster below you will see you can hear Kim Bixler again here in Buffalo if you missed her when she was at the Pierce Arrow Museum in the Spring. Kim grew up in an FLW in Rochester and her speaking tour is basically to promote the book Plus you get a tour of the Guaranty Building and a talk on how it was saved and reconfigured, a double plus.



Thursday, June 27, 2013

Graycliff and Jozef Slawinski Art

                                                     

It has now been gone from the estate for almost eight years and many people new to the organization since that time may not even know of the amazing world renowned piece of art that once graced the front of the school building on the estate which was built by the Piarist priests..  It was a huge installation of art by Jozef Slawinski of a type called Sgraffito----.  It involved a layering of different tiers of colored concrete and then scraping away the various layers of wet concrete to produce the colored image.  When plans were made to demolish the building the art was mounted on, the Polish Arts Club partnered with Graycliff to undertake the effort to remove and save the artwork.  It proved to be much more costly and difficult than originally planned and its planned placement at Assumption Church in the city (which houses other Slawinski works) proved not to be possible due to the size and weight of the work once removed.  Space was eventually found on the wall of the Library at Buffalo State College (Yeah, I know, not its actual name, but I have two degrees from there, so that allows me to use the shortcut name.)  The link below takes you to a WNY Heritage magazine photo article on the artwork and its removal process.  For those of you who have forgotten this significant story of Graycliff and those who may never have known, I hope you find it of interest. (Hang on the last photo for a few seconds as it is actually a slide show involving a number of different photos, but nothing indicates that until they start changing, with captions no less.)

 ://wnyheritagepress.org/photos_week_2010/slawinski_graycliff/slawinski_graycliff.htm

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

FLW Gas Station


                                                   

We are fortunate architecturally to have all the FLW designed buildings in our area that we do.  There is the Darwin Martin House Complex on Jewett Parkway, Graycliff, of course, the Heath House at 76 Soldiers Place, the Davidson House at 57 Tillinghast, and the former Larkin Building, now represented by a small section of wall, but also part of the connection for Larkinville on Seneca St..

 Beyond that, we have a number of FLW designs that were not originally built which were constructed in Buffalo in recent years.  There is the Blue Sky Mausoleum in Forest Lawn Cemetery, originally designed at the request of Darwin Martin but not built until 2004.  No Martins are interred there. Then there is the Fontana Boat House originally designed by FLW for the University of Wisconsin in 1905 as a rowing boat house, the only one he ever designed but again not built.  In 2000 local rowers started a campaign to purchase the plans and have it built on the river in Buffalo.  In 2007 it opened and is home to Buffalo's own prestigious West Side Rowing Club.

Then there is the Gas Station designed by Wright in 1927, at the same time he was working on Graycliff.  It was planned to be built in Buffalo on the corner Of Michigan and Cherry, but never was.  In 2002 the Pierce Arrow Museum on Seneca Street undertook an effort to build it totally inside the warehouse style housing of their museum.  Progress on it has been slow and it is not yet complete, but there is a great set of pictures of the building on their site which is reachable via the link below.  Please check them out.

http://www.pierce-arrow.com/frank-lloyd-wright-filling-station

Monday, June 24, 2013

Graycliff Landscape Update!

Dear All:

The Graycliff landscape has been changing every single day...as those of you who have been out twice or thrice a week can attest.

If you have not been out recently, you will see MAJOR changes!  This is very exciting for us all.  

Thank you to all docents who have led tours during this exciting time.  It has meant being very flexible in terms of where and how tours have been led....great job, everyone!

We expect the work will wrap up within the next week or so, depending on weather.  The pond will be filled as soon as the liner has cured properly.  It's amazingly large now, and has a special edge for water plants.

We expect the remainder of the driveway will be poured as soon as weather allows.  In the meantime, there is a great deal of planting going on.  Remember to stay off the hay...there are grass seedlings sprouting beneath!

Removing the bridge to the stair tower....

The Tower stands alone!


The Stair Tower.....

Boulders in front of pond...

Pond with liner...note dark color and shallow depth, which will  provide wonderful reflections.  Also note ring around the pond for water plants.





Thursday, June 20, 2013

Eric Lloyd Wright

                                                                      

Buffalo recently hosted a visit from FLW's grandson Eric who is probably the most recognizable of his progeny; he visited Graycliff  He is the son of FLW's oldest son, Lloyd Wright, who was also a well known landscape architect and architect.  Eric worked with both his grandfather for eight years up until his passing and then with his father.  At his father's passing in 1978 he started his own practice.  He worked with both on a number of projects and assisted his grandfather on the Guggenheim Museum.  If there is such an entity as the FLW torchbearer it would seem to be him.  As a Taliesen apprentice he has a thorough background beyond the extent that most have. 

I uncovered a great video of him doing a presentation three years ago relating the work of his grandfather, father, and himself.  It is a long but great inside look into the work and thinking of FLW of the type that very few others could offer.  I offer it here for your pleasure.  (Make sure you view it when you have an uninterrupted hour.)
                                        
                                              Eric Lloyd Wright Presentation May 2010

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Get well soon, George!

You may have been wondering why the blog has been so quiet the last few days...

That's because our Blogger-in-Chief, George Struebel, has been under the weather.

Get well soon, George!


Thursday, June 13, 2013

POLOS if you are Lucky

A couple of our volunteers ended up with polo shirts that did not fit/wrong color/, just did not want them,  kind of issues.  So, if you missed out and the sizes and colors below are a good fit, call the volunteer listed and make a deal; they want to rehome them.

Women's Pique in Leaf with Cream embroidery in Ladies 3XL.
Women's Pique in Silver with Black embroidery in Ladies 3XL

The two above are $24. each, contact Amy Picinich at 649-1351.


Unisex jersey in Dark Heather with Cream  embroidery in XL  $16.  contact Joyce Torge at 947-4848 .

FLW Grandson at Graycliff--Video


                                                                       

The Grandson of FLW, Eric Lloyd Wright, was in the area this week and visited both the DDM House and Graycliff.  A picture of his visit to the DDM House ended up on the picture page of the Buffalo News Tuesday, but if I can figure out how to do it, I will post a short video of his visit to Graycliff here.  (Ok, don't know how I did it, but it is here.  Maybe a blogger with actual computer skills would be a good idea.)

                                                Eric lloyd Wright at Graycliff

Graycliff Landscape Restoration is Moving Very Swiftly...



The restoration of Graycliff's historic landscape is moving forward very quickly.  The bridge to the stair tower was removed safely, the concrete for the irregularly shaped pool, and its circulation system have been installed, and historic trees, shrubs and plants are being installed.  The circle around the pool is approximately half-way complete.  In the next few days (including this weekend) we expect to see the water proof liner for the pool underway, and more plantings.  Very, very exciting to see this all happening so fast. Tours are not only continuing during construction, but are at record levels.  If you're a docent and are available, please let us know...we can use your help.

See photos below:






Bridge to Stair Tower removed






Stair tower bridge being dismantled





Trucks moving Bridge to Caretakers Cottage









Installing drive around circle








New circle with some plantings






More of the new circle









Circle from the Porte Cochere toward the woods

Close up of pool.  Note double wall, which will allow for water plants


Boulders which will encircle pond--first load






Low junipers near sunken garden






Trees near Garden wall....



More circle and plantings, near Foster House wall

Tour by Roger Murphy yesterday....



Wednesday, June 12, 2013

The Traveling Little's

Fellow docents and volunteers Ben and Karen Little are out and about seeing the world and ticking off other FLW sites off their "to do" list.  To prove that here is a picture of Karen in front of the Stockman House in Mason City Iowa and another of her in  the FLW Park Inn Hotel in the same city.  We assume Ben is behind the camera, but you just never know!  I mean we have not seen any pictures of him, just Karen..  Thankfully, Karen is more photogenic, so it works.  Thanks for making us all jealous of your travels.  Wish we were there.. 


                 View photo.JPG in slide show              View photo.JPG in slide show

Monday, June 10, 2013

Estate Status Post

                                     

I spent my day at Graycliff today doing tours and thought it was time for an update on what is happening.  The bridge to the tower is still there, but it is hoped to have it removed this week if the weather is cooperative.  The pond has all the concrete work finished; there is an inner ring to the pond that will allow water, plants, and rocks to mix at the edge of the pond and this second wall keeps the main part of the water separate from this area so it is able to be kept clean and clear.

More of the forms for the circular driveway have been placed and it is hoped to pour this tinted concrete with the yellow aggregate topping by the end of the week, again, if weather allows it.  Plant material has arrived on site and has been placed along the connecting wall and against the garage in the circle area, including firs, birches and shrubs.

The front of the house, to include the circle, is off limit for tours.  I found the best way to do tours is to go to the area of new concrete by the garage doors, talk about the front of the house from there, walk the sidewalk behind the Foster House to the Servants' Courtyard, walk through that to the rear of the esplanade, present that area and then go into the house, walk through the living room to the foyer and proceed as normal for the rest of the tour except the outside has already been done.  When leaving the kitchen and talking about the courtyard, the sidewalk to the rear of the  Foster House must again be used as there currently is no way to leave the servants courtyard and exit to the front of the house other than this.  This route worked well for the three tours I lead today and I had only a bare minimum of interference in terms of running into other concurrent tours.  It also did not seem to add any extra time to a tour proceeding in this manner.

I strongly urge all docents to arrive early and check the condition of the tour route ahead of your scheduled tours so that you are comfortable with what you find and to determine your alternate tour route

Invite guests to come back in two to three weeks and see the finished project as that is when it is scheduled to be complete.  Let them know that Graycliff will not be in "torn earth" setting the whole season.  Let them know how exciting it is to have the chance of seeing actual historic renovation in progress.  Treat it as a positive, not a negative.  Encourage return trips this season to view the changes.  So, that is about it.

However, in the vein of knowing that we can always learn something from our guests, I would like to further share something that occurred today.  I was doing a tour and was in the dining room talking about the Devon cup and saucer on the dining room table and explaining that Mrs. Martin was fond of fresh colorful flowers and that this may be why she chose this pattern, because even with such poor eyesight possibly she could see bright colors a little better.  A woman on the tour who admitted to working with sight impaired people earlier in her life told me that is not the reason why Mrs. Martin chose this pattern.  I asked her what she meant and she asked me to pick the cup up and asked me what I felt.  Then it hit me what she meant; the pattern of the flowers is embossed in relief on the china.  Mrs. Martin might not have been able to see the pretty flowers on her china, but she could feel them with her fingertips.  My guest explained to me that sight impaired individuals often chose things that they use in this manner; by how they feel.  Is it true for Mrs. Martin, we don't know for sure, but it sure seems like a strong possibility.  Something to consider and possibly pass on.      That's it for today, George.

Thursday, June 6, 2013

Yet More: Frank Said

                                                          



More quotes from FLW to help celebrate his birthday this week.

"I believe in God, only I spell it Nature" Truth Against the World; Frank Lloyd Wright Speaks on Organic Architecture,

"There is nothing more uncommon than common sense."  uncited

"The thing  always happens that you really believe in;  and the belief in a thing makes it happen."  uncited

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Happy Birthday Frank


                                                 


Our esteemed architect will have a birthday this week, on June 8th.  He would have been 146 years old if he had lived until then as opposed to passing away in 1959 at the age of 91.  Think of the work that he could have done, of buildings he could have designed if he were still alive.  What more could he have taught and shown the world of architecture?  Of course, then he would still be around to argue with us over the size and shape of water features on the Estate and to be arguing with us over what trees and shrubbery should be replanted.  He would probably also be insisting we build the guest cottage and caretakers cottage.  He was definitely an original and one of a kind person and we celebrate his life and his work.

Happy Birthday Frank, wherever you may be!


                                                   

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Great FLW General Resource

                                                               


There is a terrific site for general info on FLW as well as links to just about everywhere including our own Conversancy website.  It is a great place to go and play and learn more about America's Greatest Architect.  I have provided a link below; it is called Wright On The Webb.

Wright On The Web

Preservation Buffalo Niagara Award Luncheon

                                                                                                  



On Friday 6/1/13 Preservation Buffalo Niagara held a luncheon and the following organizations and individuals were awarded honors for their preservation efforts.  Please join the Graycliff Consevancy in acknowledging and applauding their accomplishment.

Albright-Knox Art Gallery East Stair Project
Allentown Association
Buffalo's Young preservationists
The Calumet Building
Days Park Block Club
Evans Bank/former Mennonite Meeting House
Peter and Susie Flickinger
Friendship Fire Engine Silsby Restoration Project
The Lafayette Hotel
Kathleen Mecca
Niagara Falls City hall Main Stair Project
Oakwood Cemetery Association
Orchard Park Train Depot Crew
Remington Lofts on the Canal
Sheet Metal Workers Local 71
Larry Fuchs, Roger Korsh, Robert Stetzko, Andy Adams, and Henry Forman
Buffalo Spree Magazine
Twentieth Century Club of Buffalo.