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History originally published in the 25 year Anniverary
booklet for ODACA Day 2001, written and produced by Dodi Becker;
complied from a variety of sources. A special thanks is given to Joan M. Ross and Maralyn
Christoffersen.
In August 1976 Bess Fantl (see below) and five other doll artists met at the Fantl home
in San Diego, CA to establish the Original Doll Artists Council of America.
The idea behind ODACA was to promote original doll artists and to encourage
all doll artists everywhere in their doll making efforts.
Most importantly, ODACA would provide an arena in which everyone could share their knowledge and expertise in doll making and original doll collecting. Much has been accomplished
since that early time.
For Bess, ODACA had been one of her most rewarding experiences. She was especially
proud of being asociated with so many fine artists whose hard work and spirit
of sharing has made the organization what it is: because ODACA is its members.
Despite distance, all the artists have worked together, united by a common bond
- a love of dolls and a love of creating original dolls. Today they continue
to share their dolls and their knowledge with collectors so that many others
will find the joy and fulfillment that they have found in their art forms.
"It is with deep and sincere emotion and pride", said Bess in 1983, "that
I thank all who have worked by my side to make ODACA as great as it is today.
Bless you all."
Each year the original doll artists are featured in a day long celebration
that is known as ODACA Day. This special day is held annually on the first
Sunday of the annual United Federation
of Doll Clubs (UFDC) national convention at the same location as the convention.
ODACA wishes to thank the United Federation of Doll Clubs for the strong support
that has been given to ODACA.
The contemporary doll artist is vital to the collectors of the future. Without
the artist what would there be for the collector to collect - or for the historian
to study? The story of ODACA and the dolls of it's artists will endure - they
will survive and be the "finds" at auctions and dolls shows - proudly
displayed in the homes of the present and the treasures of the future.
Bess Fantl (Founder of ODACA)
Bess was both a doll collector and a creator of original dolls and made a
very special contribution to the doll world. Always striving to have today's
doll designers recognized by the public and collectors. Bess founded the Original
Doll Artists Council of America along with five charter members in1976.
Her dolls have porcelain heads, hands and feet. Bodies have wire armature
where needed, otherwise only the hands were wired. The cloth bodies are stuffed
with polyester fiberfil and the dolls have either sculpted hair or wigs. All
her dolls are made in short editions, limited to 25 to 50 dolls in an edition,
which makes them more collectible. They range in size from 10 to 21 inches. |
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