SCC NEWS
Paul Stankard’s “Inspiration” book now available
Caption: Paul Stankard demonstrates at Salem Community College’s International Flameworking Conference in March with fellow SCC graduate Patty Clune (background). Stankard’s fourth book, “Inspiration from the Art of Paul J. Stankard,” a gift book featuring brilliant photos of botanical paperweights created by the internationally renowned artist, is now available for purchase through Schiffer Publishing or on Amazon. Photo by Lauren Di Donato
“Inspiration from the Art of Paul J. Stankard,” a gift book featuring brilliant photos of botanical paperweights created by the internationally renowned artist, has been released.
The 17-chapter volume includes insightful and inspiring writings by Stankard, a 1963 graduate of Salem County Technical Institute (SCC’s predecessor institution). Through the lens of a magnificent career spanning more than 50 years, he addresses the value of independent study, the growth of artistic integrity and the pursuit of excellence.
A Mantua, N.J. resident, Stankard is SCC’s artist in residence and founder of the International Flameworking Conference (IFC). He was also instrumental in creating the associate degree program in Glass Art. The College named the 15,000-square-foot studio/lab in the Samuel and Jean Jones Glass Education Center in his honor. The New Jersey Council of County Colleges recognized Stankard with its first statewide Distinguished Alumnus Award in 2018.
“This is not a book focused on my glassworking process,” Stankard writes in the introduction. “Rather, it’s a guide for nurturing personal creativity and the formation of your own plan to reach your full potential, whether you are a creator yourself or someone who simply enjoys the inside story and the endless challenges of art making.”
In the “Know Thyself” chapter, Stankard writes, “I have always felt the need to be creative, but now, near the end of my career, I feel an urgent need to continue the journey through writing, with teaching as an important part of my legacy.”
In a chapter titled, “Become Obsessed,” Stankard, who grew up in Massachusetts, concludes, “I think my work represents an esoteric take on native flowers that speaks to my recollection of picking flowers for my mom. I believe my passion for sharing this childhood joy will become my legacy.”
“Inspiration from the Art” -- available from Schiffer Publishing or on Amazon – is Stankard’s fourth book. He dedicated his latest hardcover to wife Patricia.
The Stankards are longtime SCC benefactors, generously sponsoring a scholarship for a full-time Glass Art student. The couple donated Paul’s "International Flameworking Conference 20th Anniversary Bouquet to mark the IFC’s recent milestone and the College’s 50th anniversary. The raffle winner will be drawn at the SCC Foundation’s Gala (The Jubilee) on Friday, Sept. 30 in Davidow Hall. To enter the raffle and see a photo of the breathtaking orb, visit www.salemcc.edu/scc-foundation. The winner need not be present to win.