Darrell Dick
Darrell Dick
As vice president of the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem & Silver Club, I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce myself and talk a little about this exciting and creative club.
My name is Darrell Dick, and I have lived within the Sun Lakes community for about three and a half years, and of that, for the past two years, I’ve been retired and enjoying all that is offered here. My background is in global advertising, and I was fortunate enough to travel frequently for my job. But I have to admit I’m enjoying staying put and traveling on my own schedule much better.
Being one who doesn’t like to sit still, you may see me at the Cottonwood Palo Verde Fitness Center (although not as much as I should be), around the pool, out walking my trusted companion Dewey (he’s my extrovert to meeting new people), or partaking in many of the open shops within the club.
Outside of the community, I am a member of the Chandler Mayor’s Art Commission and enjoy the Chandler Senior Center for Mah Jongg.
I first joined the Rock, Gem & Silver Club to try my hand at stained glass. Since then, I’ve also taken classes in lost wax, metal clay, and my latest adventure has been fused glass. So, what do I enjoy about these? I have a long list of reasons, but a few that impact everyone are convenient shops are close and open frequently, reasonably priced (a class within the club averages about $30, whereas places like Mesa Arts Center or private studios run several hundred dollars), talented and helpful instructors as well as fellow crafters/artist in the room, no huge outlay of expenses to try something new (all the tools you need are available for use within the studio rooms), and, finally, acceptance and encouragement. You don’t have to be an expert artist to partake. Believe me, I’m not! There is every skill level within each studio, and these studios provide a place to go to relax, try something new, socialize, and create items that mean something to you.
The club may be named Rock, Gem & Silver, but there is so much more to it. There are classes and open shops in gourd; beading; stained, fused, and dichroic glass; lapidary; silversmithing and silver bending; lost wax; and metal clay. Check us out at slrgs.com. We’d love to have you join in the fun!