Nomination letters for the American Kitefliers Association 2024 Lee Toy Kite Artist of the Year award.
Selection Committee:
Please consider Tanna and Glen Haynes as deserving of the Lee Toy Kite Artist of the year award. It was surprising to us that their names were absent from the legacy represented with this award. From Grand Championships, People’s
Choice, donation kites for auctions, their kites have been well respected for 30 years. They have demonstrated an artist’s eye with every creation that comes off their respective sewing tables. Their work has always been an inspiration for me and Mike. “Lady of the Clouds”, “Maori Cody”, “Lady of the Maori Sea”, “Call of the Buffalo Moon”, and too many others to name them all here, set a standard of artistic excellence that kitemakers try to reach. The Kite Art Gallery exhibition at the convention in Gettysburg showcased the beauty and depth of their creations. Glen has a special skill set with thread wrapped spars that are done with an artistic eye and attention to structural detail. His work is amazing. Besides all that, they are really nice people who readily share their art with members of the American Kitefliers Association on a regular basis. They run retreats and judge competitions. They are instrumental in the return of the Kite Art Gallery during convention. Glen and Tanna Haynes fit the mission and purpose of the Lee Toy Kite Artist of the Year award.
Thank you.
Deb Lenzen and Mike Shaw
Steve Ferrel seconded this nomination:
I wholeheartedly second Deb & Mike’s nomination of Glen & Tanna Haynes for the 2024 Lee Toy Kite Artist Award. This special AKA award is given to kite fliers who demonstrate a willingness to teach, explore, and innovate to promote kites within the AKA membership. Glen & Tanna fit this description to a tee.
I’ve known this husband-and-wife team since the early 1990s, and they have always been strong supporters of AKA and education. They both possess skills that complement each other, demonstrate exceptional attention to detail in their kite building, and freely share their knowledge with anyone who asks. In addition, they have been teaching their skills in workshops all over the country for over three decades.
Their collection of kites is impressive—each one unique, highly artistic, expertly crafted, and featuring innovative structural designs. Glen & Tanna are tremendous assets to AKA and easily deserving of this year’s award.
-Steve Ferrel
