Hello David ,

HELP US find a forever home!

If ornamental turning is to thrive into the future, not just survive, it will only be through its practical application to other arts and crafts such as jewelry, horology, gem cutting, decorative metalworking, and cabinet making.   Teaching and supporting the application of this broad set of skills requires an extremely well-equipped shop with teachers that have a skill set to match the challenge, along with a lot of time and devotion on the part of the budding practitioners.   Plumier already has a collection of equipment beyond compare, along with staff and members that form a community which can transfer the necessary knowledge.  In the three years we’ve been in Port Chester we’ve managed to bring the average age of the ornamental turner down significantly, we’ve contributed significantly to the general knowledge ornamental turning through projects and the writing of instructional materials, and we’ve turned novices into teachers through our internship programs and mentoring.   Now, in order to meet our broader goals and remain sustainable, Plumier needs a new home that can offer suitable housing to the craftspeople who are learning the skills necessary to carry ornamental turning forward.

A major part of our mission is to provide long term stays for craftspeople to come to our shop and learn.  The experiences we offer at Plumier don’t simply enhance a craftsperson’s work or add a skill to their repertoire---these experiences transform the way the student thinks and therefore, their work.  The cost of doing this training at our present location has become prohibitive.   The high cost of rent on our current leased space coupled with the astronomical cost of local housing make long term residencies or internships financially impractical.   Even one and two week stays are out of reach for most young craftspeople who need guidance and training.  As a result, we must move.  

Our current quarters have served us well up to this point.  However, in the coming weeks, Plumier must find a new home that can become a Palace, Refuge, and Studio of ornamental turning.   We can move literally anywhere, as long as it meets these criteria:  

            ---It must be in a location that encourages the arts and crafts.

            ---It must be in or near a town where it can become part of a community.

            ---Approximately 7500-10,000 square feet of shop space is required.

            ---Economical housing for 1-3 people is required on premises or nearby.

            ---It must be reasonably close to an airport.

            ---It should offer a comfortable, art-friendly environment.

            ---It must be affordable and sustainable for a non-profit organization.

            ---It needs to be able to house Plumier far into the future.  

If you would like us to consider moving to your region or town, please email us your suggestions on buildings that meet these qualifications.  We’re not simply looking for suggestions on general areas; we are looking for specific buildings that are available and meet all the above criteria.  If you know of such a building, please share that information with us.

As the move comes closer to being a reality, we will need help, both financially and otherwise. However, for the time being stay tuned for the specifics as we have not yet found a place to land. We trust that will be soon.

Endeavors like this cost money, but they're so essential if we are going to continue to offer those transformational experiences and bring a new generation into ornamental turning. If you can help us we have a one time donation button on the “Join Us” page of the website where you can give a one-time donation. Donate Here Your support will help us serve the OT community better and is essential for our long term survival.

Support Ornamental Turning, Support Plumier.

Please note that my phone number has changed, (570) 352-7137. Please call or emails at david@plumier.org if you have any questions. I'm looking forward to sharing with you our mutual interest in ornamental turning at future Plumier events.

Sincerely,

David Lindow