Elmerina and her late husband, Dr. Paul Parkman, were part of a small group of collectors that founded the James Renwick Alliance for Craft. Elmerina served as an early president from 1984 to 1986, guiding the organization in its formative years.

Together, the Parkmans were influential collectors, deeply engaged in the craft world and in particular, the American studio glass movement. They traveled extensively, formed connections with artists, curators and museums. Their donations include significant portions of their collection to the Renwick Gallery and the Corning Museum of Glass.

Elmerina was also a founding member and organizer of the Art Alliance for Contemporary Glass (AACG), a dedicated supporter of the Corning Museum of Glass, and WheatonArts, Board Member of the Maryland Crafts Council, Director of Tour Development for the Textile Museum in Washington, DC, and served as a juror for multiple organizations and events.

In 2013, JRACraft honored the Parkmans with a One-of-a-Kind Award for their dedication to the organization, their support for the Renwick Gallery, and their contributions to the craft community. Elmerina passed away just six months after her husband, Paul.

With permission from board member J.G. Harrington, we are sharing an excerpt from a recent post, reflecting on his memories of Elmerina.

"...I always had a sense that Elmerina was someone who cared, who wanted things to be right, and was always on the lookout for people to connect to institutions and other people who mattered to her. She never seemed to raise her voice, even when she was unhappy with you or disappointed (and you felt bad disappointing her, so I tried to avoid it). And she was a cheerful presence at JRACraft events, including staffing the greeter table at JRACraft Day for many years.

And a random recollection that's always stuck out for me - she was very proud one year at the annual Spring Craft Weekend brunch that she was wearing a dress she'd worn on the day that she and Paul were married. It still fit beautifully, and it obviously brought her happy memories. And now I'm imagining her and Paul together again, and happy once more."

Elmerina will be remembered and greatly missed by her friends at the Alliance. 

Read more about the Parkmans' background, and how they help build the alliance into what it is today. 

An interview with the Parkmans was conducted on September 2014 by Tina Oldknow for the Archives of American Art at the Parkman's home in Kensington, Maryland. ​

Our hearts are with those impacted by Hurricane Helene, especially those in Western North Carolina, home to many of our partner organizations, artists, and makers. 

At our recent Annual Member meeting, we were joined by Stephanie Moore, the Executive Director for Center for Craft located in Asheville, NC, and Cameron Lewis, the Director of Grants, Programs, and Training at CERF+, who discussed ways you can support those who have been greatly impacted. 

Here you will find a compiled list of their resources and links for donation, as well as other resources from our community. 

Learn about craft exhibitions and events by receiving the James Renwick Alliance eNewsletter or by visiting our Community Craft Calendar. Due to
hurricanes Helene and Milton, some venues may be closed or their hours changed. The websites are not always updated to reflect current conditions.

8th Annual Sydney Craft Week Festival, October 11-20
Sponsored by Australian Design Centre
Sydney, Australia, https://www.sydneycraftweek.com 

Repair Days, October 17-20
Metal Museum, Memphis, TN,  https://www.metalmuseum.org 

Shifts & Strands Symposium, November 12-17, virtual on zoom
Sponsored by the Textile Society of America, https://www.textilesocietyofamerica.org 

Philadelphia Museum of Art Craft Show, November 15-17
Pennsylvania Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA, https://www.pmacraftshow.org ​