Born To Ride News

PICKERINGTON, Ohio — The fastest amateur dirt-track racers on the planet will converge on the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, Ill., May 29-June 1 for the premier annual amateur championship event: the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) Dirt Track Grand Championships.

“The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships are one of the oldest and most prestigious amateur motorsports racing events in the country,” said AMA Director of Racing Joe Bromley. “We’re excited to bring the event back to Springfield, Ill., home to the world-famous Springfield Mile and the location of many storied dirt-track races. This will be an incredible week of racing that will showcase the fastest amateur racers in the country.”

Longtime dirt-track promoter Steve Nace of Steve Nace Racing will promote the event.

“I’m very excited to work with the AMA on the 2012 AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships,” Nace said. “The history and status of this event are second to none in the world of amateur dirt track, and we will work hard to surpass racers’ and fans’ expectations for another great year.”

The AMA Dirt Track Grand Championships crown amateur and youth champions in individual dirt-track disciplines, including half-mile, TT and short-track events. Amateur racers also compete in mile events. In addition, AMA Grand Championships are awarded to the riders in each class who have the highest point totals across all disciplines.

The fastest riders in premier classes also compete for the AMA Dirt Track Horizon Award, which honors the amateur racer poised for success on the pro level.

Racers field both traditional dirt-trackers and the latest DTX motorcycles, which begin as stock motocross bikes that are then fitted with dirt-track tires, suspension and other modifications.

For more information about dirt-track competition, see the Racing section of AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

About the American Motorcyclist Association

Since 1924, the AMA has protected the future of motorcycling and promoted the motorcycle lifestyle. AMA members come from all walks of life, and they navigate many different routes on their journey to the same destination: freedom on two wheels. As the world’s largest motorcycling rights organization, the AMA advocates for motorcyclists’ interests in the halls of local, state and federal government, the committees of international governing organizations, and the court of public opinion. Through member clubs, promoters and partners, the AMA sanctions more motorsports competition and motorcycle recreational events than any other organization in the world. AMA members receive money-saving discounts from dozens of well-known suppliers of motorcycle services, gear and apparel, bike rental, transport, hotel stays and more. Through the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum, the AMA preserves the heritage of motorcycling for future generations. For more information, please visit AmericanMotorcyclist.com.

Mary Schimpff Webb: Open It!

Exhibition dates: February 4 – 25, 2012

Opening Reception: Saturday, February 4, 4-7 pm

Artist’s Talk & Enameling Demo: Friday, February 17 at 11 am

The New Smyrna Beach gallery, Arts on Douglas will be presenting a celebration of fine jewelry making in an exhibition by Mary Schimpff Webb entitled Open It!

Mary’s distinctive use of materials and techniques developed over her extensive career sets her apart from other jewelry makers.  Her wearable artworks are fluid, sculptural and textured forms utilizing unusual combinations of precious and semi-precious stones with gold, platinum, silver and wood. All of her works are handcrafted, including the gems she often shapes herself.

In addition to making jewelry, Webb also creates sculptural boxes, fine silverware, belt buckles and other unique pieces. During her prolific career, Webb has continued to challenge herself with new styles and techniques to apply to her artwork. She has firmly established herself as a fine craftsman of modernist jewelry.

the current works, Webb states “Each new gem stone, whether is it one that I’ve cut, collected or acquired, brings fresh inspiration to my designs. For instance, the one-of-a-kind agate I used for the Locket showcased on the exhibition invitation was cut by the world famous German gem cutter Bernd Munsteiner.  I had the privilege of purchasing the stone in his Atelier in Germany while I was in the country studying gem-cutting and goldsmithing.” Mary’s keen sense of her materials infuses her jewelry with a unique contemporary quality.

Mary began studying jewelry making at a very early age. Her mother Frances was an accomplished artist and jewelry maker. Webb’s childhood was surrounded by art. In the 1970s, Webb opened a jewelry studio with her mother in Glen Arbor, Michigan.  Webb has taught and shown extensively through the US.  and has been featured in numerous books on fine jewelry and metalsmithing.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2012 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  Webb will give an Artists Talk and Enameling demonstration on Friday, February 17 at 11:00 am.  Both events are free and open to the public.  The exhibition “Open It!” will be on display until February 25, 2012.

Mary Schimpff Webb has been represented by Arts on Douglas since its onset in 1996. Her beautifully crafted designs have been featured in a solo exhibition each February for the past 12 years.

About Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles: A unique commercial art gallery located in the arts-rich community of New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Founded in 1996 by Doris Leeper, artist and Atlantic Center for the Arts founder and artist/benefactor Ed Harris, Arts on Douglas promotes the work and careers of prominent Florida artists. Formerly a used furniture warehouse, and originally a 1930′s era Ford showroom and service center, the space was magnificently transformed and has since become a community gathering spot for a discerning mix of art lovers, patrons, and artists.

Photo 1: Mary Schimpff Webb, Locket, Bernd Munsteiner-cut agate, black diamond, sterling silver, 2012