Current Happenings at the Gygax Memorial

Greetings Seekers!

Last December, my family, friends and I had a chance to see a play at the Flea Theatre in Tribeca, called She Kills Monsters.  Written by Qui Nguyen and directed by Robert Ross Parker, this play received great reviews, including this one:

“Deceptively breezy & rather ingenious. The whole enterprise is kind of dopey and kind of invigorating and kind of remarkable. It will slash and shape shift its way into your heart.” -The New York Times

The play delivered.  With elements of D & D throughout, the play was both hilarious and thought provoking.  It gave me such a wonderful feeling to know that Gary had, through his creative genius, inspired those involved, from the writer and director, to the Flea Theatre cast members, The Bats.  Seeing the play reminded me once again of the impact that Gary had on the popular culture.  Prior the play, we viewed works of art from current artists whose inspiration could be seen from Gary’s characters as they were developed in Dungeons and Dragons.  I was able to meet some of the cast, and overall it was a wonderful experience.

History of the Gary Gygax Memorial Statue

Now it’s spring and we’re approaching the most beautiful time of year in Lake Geneva, when everything is blooming and the waters call for all sorts of leisure and relaxation.   Gary so loved Lake Geneva and, of course, especially enjoyed his trips to Library Park, a place to enjoy nature and truly be inspired. With the remembrance of all that Gary has inspired in his fans, I want to share with them the historical background of the planned memorial, and why I have worked so hard to make it a reality.  Those who knew Gary well I’m sure are aware that he did nothing by chance.  He was a true gamer, with a genius mind and a person known to keep daily lists of all his plans.  The plan for his memorial was no exception.  Despite being an almost daily visitor to rpg web forums such as EnWorld and Dragonsfoot, Gary only occasionally hinted to his failing health to his fans.   Gary knew his time was limited and made plans for how he wanted to be remembered.  Gary and I had many discussions regarding how he wanted to be remembered.  I suggested to Gary that he have a bronze bust in Library Park.  As we discussed his wishes for the memorial, Gary shared with me his idea to include a tower plinth. These ideas are incorporated in the memorial as you will learn in this post.

As Gary’s widow, entrusted with Gary’s vision of a memorial in his beloved Lake Geneva, I feel an enormous responsibility. Yet, I have received so much support over the past several months.   Whether it is through the donations of their time, talent or a monetary donation, devoted Gary Gygax fans continue to come forward to help get Gary’s memorial statue built.  There are so many people to thank and I hope that all of Gary’s fans know how much he appreciated them.  It is wonderful to experience everyone’s support towards making the Gary Gygax memorial statue project a reality.

Here is a summary of what is happening so far…

Initial Memorial Interpretation/Rendering Created by JP Robson/Landscape Architect

As I announced in an earlier post, a site for the memorial has been approved by both the Parks Commission and the City Council of Lake Geneva at a location in Donian Park.  Getting the site approval was no small task, as it required input and approval of the Parks Commission and Town Council of the details of the memorial on a number of levels.  Many thanks go to JP Robson, Landscape Architect and Owner of EMC2 Landscaping, for his initial design and rendering, which was faithful to Gary’s vision of a bust on a tower plinth.  The design of the memorial was no small task, as the rendering of the tower Gary envisioned needed to take into consideration the constraints of the site in Donian Park.

The Lake Geneva Parks Commission and City Council viewed the rendering by JP Robson favorably, suggesting some elements which they would like to see incorporated.  Specifically, the City Council wanted the memorial to include a Dungeons and Dragons element.  To that end, JP reworked the design to incorporate a dragon, along with a set polyhedral die into the design.  Planning is underway for additional elements, with themes old school gamers will recognize.

I am seeking approval of the memorial itself once all of the elements have been incorporated.  I have confidence that this design is going to be something Gary’s fans will want to visit.  More of JP Robson’s work may be viewed at http://www.emc2landscaping.com/.

Acclaimed D & D Fantasy Artist Larry Elmore Will Complete Artistic Rendering

This latest news is very exciting. I am thrilled that artist Larry Elmore has graciously accepted the task of creating an artistic rendering of the design for Gary’s statue  as it would be viewed once established in Donian Park.  This design will help fans to see how the memorial will actually look in its natural surroundings.  Larry has without a doubt the credentials to bring forth the artistic viewpoint Gary would have wanted.  Larry is no stranger to Gary and the creativity his works generated, having been one of the prolific artists of the TSR time period of Dungeon and Dragons.  As the main artist for TSR from 1981 to 1987, many of Larry’s paintings were Dragon Magazine covers, and the early Dragonlance and D&D work for TSR.  Some of Larry's best work appeared in the first printing of the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd Edition rulebooks. Many pages of these manuals contained full color Larry Elmore works of art. I am additionally excited because Larry has been a faithful friend and fan of Gary for so many years.  For more about Larry Elmore and his work as an artist, visit his website at http://larryelmore.com/.

Stefan Pokorny, Artist, Sculptor Joins Memorial Statue Project

The Gygax statue project has another talented artist working on the project.  Stefan Pokorny will create the bronze bust and other elements of the Gary Gygax memorial statue. We are honored to have Stefan, a classically trained artist and sculptor.  Having spent much time with relatives in Italy who enjoyed visiting the classical arts, Stefan has not only the natural talent for this project, but it’s in his blood!  Stefan’s professional career is also a good fit for the project.  He is the founder and chief sculptor of Dwarven Forge http://www.dwarvenforge.com/, a company specializing in quality miniature terrain products, which are a perfect companion for roleplaying campaigns such as Dungeons and Dragons.  A long time gamer and fan of late husband Gary Gygax, Stefan has not only the artistic and sculpting ability for the project, Stefan will bring the “gamer” aspect to the design.

Cheers, Gary

I have another announcement, involving the very popular Cheers, Gary book, available last year at GenCon 2011 as part of the fundraising effort for Gary’s memorial statue.  The first edition, edited by Paul Hughes (see his rpg blog at http://blogofholding.com) was an overwhelming success, selling out in an hour!!  Immediate reprinting was necessary to quench fan thirst for words of wisdom from the Great DM as written by Gary in response to fan questions on EnWorld forums. Thanks to the efforts of Paul to get this book in initial development.  I have had numerous inquiries about the availability of Cheers, Gary, which certainly reveals Gary as the gamer, writer, philosopher, and the man.  Gary’s fans have found this book to be a great memory aide of their time with Gary, while others find it a wonderful way to get more insights into who Gary was, while at the same time learning the finer points of character development, game development and game strategy.

The second edition of Cheers Gary is currently in development with writer and game designer George Strayton.  George recently won the Game Designer of the Year at the prestigious gaming convention, I Con 2012, for his game creation The Secret Fire Game.   In addition, other projects have included work on the television series Xena and Hercules, along with Transformers, the movie.  See George’s IMBd profile \ at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0833971/.  George has graciously donated his time towards this latest Cheers, Gary project.  We are lucky to have such an accomplished writer helping with this project.

Without a doubt I should also mention special thanks to Russell Morrissey of EnWorld for allowing access to the EnWorld forum, along with his generosity in allowing us to put into a tangible book form the words of Gary.  Enthusiastically engaging in almost daily exchanges on the EnWorld forums, Gary was as loyal to is fans as they were to him.  No question was left unanswered.

Artist Erol Otus Helps with the Memorial Fund Effort

For those lucky enough to have acquired a copy of Cheers, Gary at GenCon 2011, they certainly were not disappointed with the cover.  Erol Otus provided the artwork, similar to that found on the limited edition white box set first published by TSR in 1974.  Erol provided the artwork for some of the original TSR Dungeons and Dragons adventure modules, and his iconic style is easily recognized by old school gamers.  Erol Otus’ images have transcended time and even today, Erol has almost a cult following!  An example is found here, where a fan devotes an entire “shrine” in his blog to Erol Otus http://jrients.tripod.com/otus/otus.html. Erol has given us the great honor of providing the Cheers, Gary cover artwork, and I cannot say enough how pleased Gary would have been with this latest rendering of himself as a wizard!   Read more about Erol Otus on Wikipedia here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erol_Otus

The Gygax Memorial Fund

I thank all of Gary’s fans who have thus far contributed to the Gygax Memorial Fund.  Every contribution is truly appreciated, no matter the size. I would also like to provide clarification in response to some confusion with may have arisen over efforts to honor my late husband Gary Gygax, some of which may have involved fundraising.     The Gygax Memorial Fund is the only memorial fundraising entity whose goal is the creation and establishment of the Gary Gygax memorial statue.  Having been established by me, Gary’s widow, as a corporation in the state of Wisconsin, and further registered as a 501(c) (3) corporation with the IRS, the Gygax Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization with the purpose of raising funds to establish the Gary Gygax statue to be built in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.  As a 501 (c) (3), the Gygax Memorial Fund is held to strict accounting standards.  Contributions to the Gygax Memorial Fund are tax deductible

Official corporate contributors or events supporting the Gary Gygax memorial statue project are listed here on the Gygax Memorial Fund website and on our official Gygax Memorial Fund Facebook page. Furthermore, to ensure supporters that their efforts/contributions are being applied to the Gary Gygax memorial statue project, items and/or fundraising events are designated by the mark above.  This mark informs fans that the proceeds obtained as a result of such efforts are being used for the building of the Gygax memorial statue.

Any other organizations or corporations which purport to be engaged in activities for  “memorial fundraising,” “the Gygax statue,” or fundraising events “in memory of Gary Gygax,” whether promoted through a website or social media, are not associated with the official Gygax Memorial Fund efforts.

I hope this information will clarify any questions that Gary’s fans have had about which fundraising efforts are supporting the building of the Gary Gygax memorial statue. If you have any questions about whether the proceeds from a product or event is sanctioned by the Gygax Memorial Fund, please feel free to contact us here at the site, or on the official Gygax Memorial Fund Facebook page at www.facebook.com. I will ensure that you receive a response.

Wizards of the Coast and GenCon 2012 Auction Event to Support the Gygax Memorial Statue

My next announcement has to do with an officially sanctioned event such as described above.  Staff at Wizards of the Coast  are currently in the process of working with staff of the GenCon 2012 auction on a project, whereby WotC will donate 100 lots of vintage gaming product (with a focus on D&D) to be auctioned off at the 45^th Anniversary of  GenCon, in the memory of Gary Gygax. The proceeds for these 100 lots will go to the Gygax Memorial Fund for the Gary Gygax memorial statue!!!  I’m sure that hard core Gary fans will not want to miss out on this opportunity.  I plan to attend this auction at GenCon2012, along with my family, as Wizards and Gen Con have been such steadfast supporters of the efforts to keep alive the memory of Gary and his creative contributions to the world of gaming and beyond.

Here is a link to GenCon 2012, as presale tickets are going fast and if you want hotel reservations it is advisable to make reservations now!   To make a reservation for “The Best Four Days Gaming!” go to http://gencon.com/

Wizards of the Coast Re-release of Original Dungeon and Dragons Manuals to Benefit the Gygax Memorial Fund

The Gygax Memorial Fund has another reason to thank WotC.  I believe it is common knowledge by now that Wizards of the Coast is re-releasing the 1st Edition Monster Manual, Player's Handbook, and Dungeon Master's Guide.  What Gary Gygax fans may not know is that with the purchase of the limited first edition Dungeons and Dragons core rulebooks, a contribution is being made by WotC to the Gygax Memorial Fund. See the link to the WotC website here http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4news/gygaxmemorial

A Special Thank You

I cannot mention enough how a BIG thanks is owed to Jason Hurst, my web designer and site administrator.  Jason has given countless hours to the effort of developing The Gygax Memorial Fund website, along with personally attending GenCon 2011 and steadfastly assisting at our Gygax Memorial Fund booth, which we shared with the generosity of folks from The Old School Renaissance Group, who will be at GenCon this year as well http://theosrg.blogspot.com/

More…..

As I write this today, I have received word that one of my board members, the talented Jim Ward, writer/game designer, dear friend, former fellow TSR colleague, and devoted friend and fan of Gary, is nicely recovering from surgery.  In my next post I plan to feature all of the Gygax Memorial Fund board members, including Jim Ward, who have been generously giving of their talents and expertise in providing guidance to the Gygax statue memorial project.