The
Syracuse Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show
By Helen
Serras-Herman
The 56th
Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show, sponsored by the Gem & Mineral
Society of Syracuse (GMSS), will be held on July 8 and 9, 2023, on the NYS
Fairgrounds at the Center of Progress Building in Syracuse, New York.
Syracuse, New York
Syracuse is
a city with over 148,000 residents, within an over-600,000 population metropolitan
area. It is the county seat of Onondaga County, and an economic and educational
center of Central New York State. Over the last two centuries, Syracuse has
functioned as a major commercial crossroad between the Erie Canal, area canals,
and later the railroad network. The downtown includes iconic historic buildings
and plazas, cathedrals, and universities.
The Erie Canal 1905 postcard. Photo via Wikipedia
The Gem & Mineral Society of Syracuse
The Gem
& Mineral Society of Syracuse is a non-profit organization. As per their
statement, they are, “a community for generating interest in mineralogy,
paleontology and the lapidary arts in Central New York State”. They offer
lapidary classes, monthly meetings, and field trips. They also have a Junior
Rockhounds club for kids.
Syracuse Gem show. Photo Judy Cook
The Syracuse Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show
The show is
similar to other club-sponsored gem and mineral shows, with 56 retail vendors
and educational exhibits, but this show also offers 5 wholesale vendors in a
separate section. The show will have the always youth-favorite geode-cracking
demonstrations, a youth area with sluice and activities, the famous 25 Cent
Straw Draw, artist demonstrations, and exhibits on geological places unique to
New York State, ancient marine life & living fossils, and astronomical uses
to earth life cycles. They will even have a totally unique Metaphysical Center,
where sages, psychic mediums, mystics and holistic therapies will offer their expertise.
While still living in Maryland, we were fortunate to be invited to participate as vendors to this show in 2003 and 2004. I remember it fondly as a great show, with many active club members helping with many tasks. I still treasure wonderful friendships that started at that very show. Among the many great vendors participating (and good friends of mine) are Fowler’s Family Wirewrapping, Gullo Jewelers, Henry’s Jewelers, Stones by Stalkers, and Linda Boronczyk Designs.
GMSS President, John Sweeny, demonstrating lapidary & talking to the public Photo Judy Cook (left)
Helen and Linda Boronczyk at Wildacres 2023 workshop. Photo courtesy Helen Serras-Herman (right)
I spent a
week in May at the 50th Anniversary of the EFMLS Wildacres Workshop,
on the mountains of North Carolina, where I was the invited
Speaker-in-Residence. There, Linda held a most creative workshop for Gem Tree
Art and Tree-of-Life wire-wrapping on agate slabs, frames and pendants, which I
attended as student. Her workshop reflected her unique personal multi-media art,
which she will exhibit at the Syracuse show at Booth 107D. Linda will also
demonstrate basic wire wrap.
Tree-of-Life artwork by Linda
Boronczyk. Photo Linda Boronczyk
The 56th
Syracuse Gem, Mineral, Fossil & Jewelry Show will be open 10am to 6pm on
Saturday July 8 and 10am to 4pm of Sunday July 9, 2023. Admission fee is $7 for adults ($1.00 off
with an original NY Rocks postcard or newspaper ad). Children under 12 and
Scouts in uniform with an adult get in free. For detailed information visit https://syracusegemsociety.com or
their Facebook page.
The Syracuse show postcard. Photo Syracuse Gem & Mineral Society
Helen Serras-Herman, a 2003 National Lapidary Hall of Fame inductee, is an acclaimed gem sculptor with 40 years of experience in unique gem sculpture and jewelry art. See her work at www.gemartcenter.com and her business Facebook page at Gem Art Center/Helen Serras-Herman
