Why a “Grand Masters” program?

// November 30th, 2011 // News & Announcements

An Interview with D.J. Glaser

D.J. Glaser is president of Glendo Corporation, the maker of GRS Tools.

How did the Grand Masters Program get started?

D.J. Glaser: “First, I must say this unique program for accomplished hand engravers was not my idea; it was the vision of Glendo’s General Manager, Kim Pember. Sometime in late 2003 or early 2004, she approached me with the idea of providing a special event for the world’s finest hand engraving artists.

“In spite of their solitary working habits, she believed these world-class engravers would value the opportunity to learn from each other and enjoy the mutual camaraderie. Kim believed that unless someone brought them together, these remarkable artists may never actually meet each other or have the chance to pass on the legacy of engraving to those who could appropriately value this knowledge.

“My first reaction to her idea was that it was a wonderful thought, but would be virtually impossible to do. Thankfully, she ignored my initial reaction and pushed on.

“When she finally convinced Winston Churchill (who told her no at least three times) and Ron Smith to teach the first Grand Master’s Program in 2005, there was enough weight from these remarkable artists to get the engraving world’s attention.

“Thank you, Ron and Winston, for your leap of faith…it would have never happened without you breaking this new ground for all of us.”

What does “Grand Master” mean?

D.J. Glaser: “In the field of engraving the traditional title ‘Master’ is applied to accomplished artisans who work at the highest professional levels. Depending on the practices in their country, the process of becoming a Master varies.

“These Masters often teach as well as practice their art. While not every engraving artist will become a Master, there are quite a number of them world-wide. However, many top engravers agree there are a few who have achieved much more than Master level. These individuals become admired and recognized icons, not only with clients, but among knowledgeable engravers.

“In the beginning of this new program, we recognized the need for a new term to describe these extraordinary people. ‘Grand Master’ fit perfectly and others agreed that we should name both the program and the artists it honors using this term.”

Why is Glendo the host?

D.J. Glaser: “Glendo is a manufacturer of tools that are used in engraving. In early 2005, we completed our expanded GRS Training Center that has classroom space for teaching engraving and related subjects.

“From a business perspective, using this facility to host the Grand Masters Program is a long term investment in the world-wide field of fine hand engraving. I use the word ‘investment’ because Glendo doesn’t make money from the Grand Masters; our goal is to break even, but this hasn’t happened.

“At Glendo, we believe that recognizing and hosting special courses or workshops taught by these ‘Grand Masters’ will benefit all of us. Unlike the other courses at our training center, the Grand Masters Program is for exceptional engravers who travel from around the world to attend. It’s a wonderfully rewarding experience with extraordinary people…like nothing else I’ve ever attended. I guess the answer to this question is that Glendo hosts it because we saw the need, wanted to see it happen, and just gave it a try. ”

In closing, what else do you want engravers to know about the event?

D.J. Glaser: “There’s little left to say except the Grand Masters Program is rewarding and fun beyond words. How else can you see Winston Churchill engrave metal and play the guitar at the same event? How else can you learn how Philippe Grifnée and Alain Lovenberg sharpen their gravers and design their patterns? How else can you study under England’s Ken Hunt or America’s Ron Smith?

“The legacies left by these Grand Masters will live on for decades in the people who learned from them in this program. I urge all of you accomplished engravers to take the dream seriously. I hope to see you this year.”