IEA Wax Chapters

Melissa Stephens

Creativity does not exist in a vacuum. With that being said, artists thrive as creators in their studios, but they also need interaction and engagement with other inspired people in the real world. International Encaustic Artists (IEA) is great at helping connect you with other artists in the broader sense so that local Wax Chapters can bridge the gap closer to home. Chapters create immediate safe spaces for an intimate community and act as a collective support system. While individual Chapters remain under the wing of the IEA, they have their own mission and values that are created and maintained by members. No matter where you go, these groups may have similar origins, but they will look and operate diferently. Some Chapters focus on education or artistic support, while others collaborate their eforts to produce local art exhibitions or host critiques. According to Chapter President, Shelly Jean, the Florida Wax Chapter “grew out of necessity.”

They started as a group of artists who were interested in learning more about encaustic painting. Since forming a Chapter in 2017, they continue to support one another, grow artistically, and share their encaustic painting passion with the public.

NorCAL Wax is a new IEA Chapter forming in Northern California. Inspired by the high energy and camaraderie felt at the 2022 IEA Convergence Retreat in Morro Bay, CA, Karen Buttwinick and I took the first steps in creating our own local Chapter. Our goal is to build connections while working collectively to create exhibition opportunities, educate ourselves through shared resources and field trips, and help each other grow artistically and professionally through speaking events, art critiques, and other experiences.

Lora Murphy and Bettina Egli Sennhauser are starting a European Encaustic Chapter. In addition to nurturing their new Chapter’s website, they are kicking-of their activities by cohosting the 2023 Encaustic Retreat, in collaboration with the IEA and the Mulranny Arts Center in Ireland. The Retreat is sure to be a success with artist talks, demonstrations, painting workshops, discussion groups, open studios, vendor rooms, and much more. Mark your calendars: the Retreat is scheduled for October 12 - 17, 2023.

While this may all seem like a lot, the best thing about starting a new Chapter is that you are not alone! As the Membership and Chapters Director, I am here to help you through the process and answer all of your questions. In addition, there are new pages on the IEA website to help you start your own local Chapter.

Imagine your encaustic or cold wax art experience with support on all sides. “Fullness” was the word that appeared when I looked up antonyms for the word “vacuum.” I think that a wax Chapter is the perfect way to fill a vacuum, don’t you?