The Gathering for Gardner Foundation (G4G) is a non-profit corporation that works to honor the achievements of Martin Gardner by promoting the lucid exposition of new and accessible ideas in recreational mathematics, magic, puzzles, and philosophy.

Through its support of biannual conferences held in honor Martin Gardner, the foundation encourages the work of amateurs and young people by bringing them in contact with professional scholars, world-class expositors and innovative performers in venues that promote the cross-discipline fertilization of ideas.

Purpose: The Gathering for Gardner is a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the lucid exposition and discussion of new ideas in recreational mathematics, magic, puzzles, and philosophy.

Background: Martin Gardner had no formal education in mathematics but has had an enormous influence on the subject. His writings exhibit an extraordinary ability to convey the essence of many mathematically sophisticated topics to a very wide audience. In the words first uttered by mathematician Richard K. Guy, Gardner has brought "more mathematics, to more millions, than anyone else."

Gardner's interests extend well beyond the traditional realm of mathematics. His writings have featured mechanical puzzles as well as mathematical ones, and extend to Lewis Carroll and Sherlock Holmes. He has had a life-long interest in magic, including tricks based on mathematics, on sleight of hand, and on ingenious props. He has played an important role in exposing charlatans who have tried to use their skills not for entertainment but to assert supernatural claims. Although he nominally retired as a regular columnist at Scientific American in 1982, Gardner's prolific output has continued.

Activities: Martin Gardner's influence has been so broad that a large percentage of his fans have only infrequent contact with each other. Tom Rodgers conceived the idea of hosting a weekend gathering in honor of Gardner to bring some of these people together. The first "Gathering for Gardner" ( G4G1 ) was held in January 1993. Elwyn Berlekamp helped publicize the idea to mathematicians. Mark Setteducati took the lead inreaching the magicians. Tom Rodgers contacted the puzzle community. Since that time, six more biannual conferences have been held: the most recent was G4G8 , in 2006. There has been significant media attention given to the conferences, including several articles in The New York Times, Science News, Seed Magazine, and other publications.

Policies: The Gathering for Gardner Foundation provides its services on a competitive basis without regard for race, creed, color, national origin, or sex.

Support: The Foundation is financially supported by the community at large. The G4G Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation, based in Atlanta, GA. Financial contributions are tax-deductible.

To donate to the G4G, mail check or money orders to the following address:

Gathering 4 Gardner, Inc
c/o Tom Rodgers
PO Box 725467
Atlanta, GA 31139
G4G Conferences

Gathering 4 Gardner conferences are held every two years, usually in the Spring. Conference activities include public lectures, performance art, puzzle and book displays, close-up and large-audience magic acts, and many more informal opportunities to mix with people who share a interest in Martin's life and work.

The Gift Exchange is a conference tradition in which participants swap puzzles, magic tricks, artwork, mathematics papers, and novelty items. Many conference participants expend considerable creativity, time and/or money on their gift exchanges.

The Gift Exchange Book bundles together the print-only Gift Exchange items into one conference publication. For the 2006 (G4G7) conference, the Gift Exchange book was a four-color, two volume, 700+ page limited circulation publication sent to all G4G7 participants.

Attending G4G conferences

In recent years, site size and budget limitations have made the Gathering into an invitation-only event. Nevertheless, everyone who has a general interest in the activities of the G4G Foundation is encouraged to bring themselves to the attention of the foundation. The best way to do this is via writing or email to:

Gathering 4 Gardner, Inc
c/o Tom Rodgers
PO Box 725467
Atlanta, GA 31139
thomasmrodgers@yahoo.com

 
This photo was taken at G4G8.