XV. STFZ 1991-2006

STFZ - longer history

The idea of foundation of new independent association of artists/artistic association (creative association) has been conceived in autumn 1990. The first person to speak about it was Marek Nowaczyk.
Polish goldsmithing has been developing, the Legnica town with it's gallery was presenting next exhibitions one by one, there were appearing new galleries with designer's jewellery. The base for normality has been developing in the politics as well as in economy. And we, being in our majority members of other associations, could not get through to monitor and maintain properly our goldsmithing problems. Marek knew what he wants, and he has inspired us with the idea and long discussion how to came from the idea into reality have begun.
The name was important. I do not remember who was the first to formulate our final, present name, but it has many parents. We were meeting with different persons, but the core were people who later have founded the association. It also took a lot of time to create regulations, which, after completing, went through process of legal elaboration by lawyers. The application for registration of association has been signed by 15 persons. On February 13th 1991 the Warsaw' District Court of Law has issued the sentence of registration the Stowarzyszenie Tworcow Form Złotniczych - STFZ - Polish Goldsmithing Artists' Association. When the sentence came into force on April 16th 1991 the STFZ has been registered under number RSt 943 as artists' (creative) association. Until the first General Meeting the first steering committee has been consisting of Andrzej Bielak, Jacek Skrzynski, Giedymin Jabłonski.
The first General Meeting on April 27th 1992 has been attended by 47 STFZ members. We have been often asked a question: why the association has been founded by group of 15 persons only, while the goldsmithing circle was much larger, and artists knew each other. We went this way because this was the minimal quantity required by the court of law, and we realized that we have to act fast. Efficiency was the name of the game, and it is so much easier to achieve in comparatively small group.
The idea of the STFZ graphic sign - logo - was conceived by Barbara Kanska-Bielak. On the beginning we need sign presenting full information on our Association, in order to let everybody seeing it to know, what it is about. The short version of the STFZ sign is of good use, too. So we use both signes. Since one of weakest points in our circle was lack of information and of exchange of information, our bulletin INFO has appeared. The number one issue is the single page typed on typewriter with header: „Podstawowe informacje o STFZ nr 1”- Basic information on STFZ nr.1. Then on July 20th 1992 "Informacje STFZ nr 2" - the STFZ Information’s nr 2, and next issues have been titled inf 3 up to inf 9. In April 1992 there were issued "info 10" and our bulletin keeps this title until today, for its next issues. We read all this after 11 years and without false modesty we can say that the idea by Marek Nowaczyk has opened new era in Polish post WW II artistic goldsmithing. All documents and papers are kept in archives. Maybe after years somebody will take a look at them and will see part of our life activities. In order to let dry facts sound more alive we present here this story.
Today the STFZ consists of 110 members, 14 supporting members, 5 honor members, has granted with the STFZ recommendation 15 jewellery galleries. We have established numerous contacts with goldsmithing circles all over the world, due to activity of the STFZ representative for foreign contacts. We have done and achieved a lot for benefit of Polish goldsmithing circles. The power and position of STFZ results from work and efforts of all the STFZ members.

Andrzej Bielak