It was October 2004 and I was thinking of a Xmas sale opportunity in Bend. Why not ask other potters to join me in an association? I invited Peter Meyer, Annie Dyer, Susan Adams (who could not make it but backed us up) John Kinder, and Linda Heisserman for an informal meeting to discuss the possibility and see if they too had more friends who would like the same opportunity. Funny... we decided that a sale for 2004 was out of the question. Instead we invited others for a November meeting where we joined talents and efforts to form a Central Oregon Potters Association. There were 25 people present in our official first meeting, all of them ready to give birth to “Clay Guild of the Cascades”.
CGC was born just like a baby – no name, no established identity, but an awful lot of curiosity, energy, enthusiasm, talents yet to be developed and a very promising future ahead!

CGC, following the examples of babies, is growing fast. We have a name (COPA was rejected), a mission statement, a board, a website, a newsletter, a post office address, and plans are on the way for several shows, including our first big show to be held in Bend, probably in September 2005.

We would like to thank our “parents”, the people who inspired us to get started and who are watching our first steps closely, offering support, as we need it along the way. So here goes our special THANKS to all the members of OPA (Oregon Potters Association) and Local Clay who jumped at the opportunity to help out.
Every single time we went “crying” for information (many types and many times) you have been quick to answer and comply, offering guidance from your abundant experience and expertise, going way beyond the call of duty and beyond our expectations as well.
Thank you OPA members!
Thank you Local Clay members!

Let us extend our thanks to Cindercone as well for opening its doors to this new endeavor and hosting our meetings with such warmth.

Also a big thank you to all members who stepped up to the plate to take on responsibilities of running our “baby” Clay Guild of the Cascades.
Here is the list of all our Board Members so far:
• President -Linda Heisserman
• Vice President - Connie Thornberry
• Treasurer - Jolene Cap
• Secretary - Annie Dyer
• Events Chair -Bob Sant
• Newsletter – Vania Setti
• Advertising – Vania Setti and Diana Popp
• Clay in Education - John Kinder and Michele Gwinup

A Word from our President

Hello,

March 10th is our next general meeting of Clay Guild of the Cascades... We have come a long way; lots of organizing, planning, boring but necessary stuff... now on to some fun. I am remembering that one of the reasons we started out together was for community. Who are our fellow players with clay? What fun things do we like to make? Why do we make them? What makes our hearts sing??? I would like to suggest that everyone coming to this next meeting bring a pot...Let’s get to know each other and the clay we play with. Yes, part of the meeting will still be organizational. Let’s start to make the other part of the meeting fun...people getting to know each other... things we want to learn... of course food we like to eat. I also think we have done enough organizational stuff and with Summer coming and busy fair schedules, I think it is time to have general meetings just once every other month. So the next general meeting will be May 12th, and then July 14th and Sept. 8th. Board meetings will be in between months and formalized soon. Anyone is welcome to come to the board meetings.
Hope to see you on the 10th.
Linda Heisserman

Slop Bucket
Where you can place ads, and “throw” information.

. Jay Widmer has one space available for the April 8, 2005 firing in his Digger Mt. Anagama (30 miles east of Waldport, 40 miles west of Corvallis) in the coast range. The space is $400. There is more information about the kiln and firing on Jay's website www.jaywidmer.com

Jay gets amazing colors and iridescence on the pots - there isn't a "bad" spot in the kiln. The other great thing is that it is a two-day loading and a two-day firing for 4 days total. He's only just started letting out spaces - it has typically been pretty private in the past.


Wheels needed. If you have a wheel for sale, the demand is high. We could help you sell it. Just send us an e-mail, a note, of just call. We will publish it for you right here in the ”Slop Bucket“.

As The Wheel Turns

The place for your news, stories, comments, suggestions, experiences, tips, and successes.

. Our new post office address is:
Clay Guild of the Cascades
P.O. Box 1106
Bend, Or. 97709.

. Thanks to Deb Sether for a wonderful and fast job of setting up a web site for CGC. Check it out at www.cascadesclayguild.com

. The first four members who were accepted into our web Gallery are: Diana Popp, Deb Sether, Annie Dyer, and Linda Heisserman. Congratulations – you’re looking good there!

. NCECA (National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts) is meeting in Baltimore, Maryland, this year, and in Portland, Oregon, next year. For information go to www.nceca.net or telephone (866) 266-2322.

. Bend Living Magazine quoted Linda Heisserman, Bob Sant, Vania Setti, and mentioned the birth of CGC in an article about clay.

. Cascade Arts & Entertainment published a note and a “call to artist” about CGC and the upcoming big show.

. Chad Fox has recently been accepted into Kebanu Gallery. Check out his work downtown Bend, on Bond St.

. One of our CGC members, Alan Werkman is doing an independent
intensive for 3 mos. in Minnesota at NCC (Northern Clay Center). Alan says he is “learning to throw again...and again...and again.”

. Susan Adams is busy with the development of another new “baby” – High Desert Association of the Arts, which is also growing fast and steady. Congratulations, Susan!

. Linda Shafer shared her website with us. Check her work at qspeed.com/pottery

. These emails keep bouncing back (undeliverable):
Carla carlahall97124@hotmail.com
Wendy Stoocks yonenanoo@yahoo.com
Sandy & Alex Anderson anderson@empnet.com
If anyone has a current email for any of these, let us know.
Maybe they haven’t become members because they could not get our emails.

Peter Meyer Featured in Recent Publication
Hot off the press!

Ray at Rest

Ray at Rest, an earthenware sculpture by COCC Adjunct Instructor of Ceramics, Peter Meyer, is featured in 500 Figures in Clay.

Ray at Rest made his first public appearance in The Anatomy of a Work of Art exhibit in the Gallery at Pinckney Center for the Arts, Central Oregon Community College in November 2002.

This sculpture also won an award at Clay Fest in Eugene, Oregon and Jurors Choice “Skin” at Mirror Pond Gallery, Bend, Oregon 2003.

In May 2004 he was purchased while in the Gallery of the Oregon Potters Association Ceramic Showcase and is now in a private collection in Portland, Oregon.

You’ll find Ray at Rest on page 118 of
500 Figures in Clay published by Lark Books,
a division of Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., New York. 2004

Some quotes:
. From our President Linda Heisserman
“We have done a lot in the couple months of being together...
I feel like I have jumped on a galloping horse”

. By George Carlin - a cross and mouthy comedian of the 70's/80's
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.”

. From Pablo Picasso
“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”

Call To Artists

. Deb needs photos of your work to include in the gallery page of the website. The gallery is pretty bare right now – Here is free advertising for members!!
Please send only quality pictures. Deb will not be editing them.

. Kathy Deggendorfer contacted Jean Wells of the Stitching Post about putting some of CGC members’ pieces into the garden tour that happens every year during quilt show. For those making garden related work this is a great opportunity to show your work. Deb will be talking to Jean soon to find out commissions and that sort of stuff. Quilt show is always the second weekend in July and brings thousands of visitors to Sisters.

. Sarreguemines, France “5th International Ceramics Competition: A Set of Three Plates”. Grand prize US$4668.00. Deadline March 31st.
For information, e-mail sarreguemines-museum@wanadoo.fr or go to www.sarreguemines-museum.com

. Cheongju City, Korea “Fourth Cheongju International Craft Competition”. Grand prize US$20,000.00. Deadline July 1st. For information e-mail competition@cheongjubiennale.or.kr or go to www.okcj.org

. Potters council is compiling an archive of potter’s marks, like those complimenting feature articles in Ceramics Monthly. This collection is slated for a future publication on Potter’s Marks & Signatures. Submit to: Jennifer Poellot, 735 Ceramic Place, Suite 100, Westerville, OH 43081.

. CGC needs to know if you want to take part in our first big show next September. Depending on your responses, we can make a commitment and go ahead with the reservation of a space, setting a date, etc. Let us know if you intend to be part of it with a full booth space (10X10), half a booth, group booth, etc. If you want to place one of your pieces in the Gallery of the Show, Those just in the gallery should pay a 10/15-dollar fee plus a commission of 25% plus a work shift, and those having a booth are in it for free
I am including (at the end) Bob Sant’s notes* on the show so you can better acquaint yourself with what is going on so far. You may respond directly to Bob or get in touch with us through our website. www.cascadeclayguild.com
If you have GREAT ideas, share them.

WANTED: CERAMIC ARTS TEACHER

The Scholarship@sea Program

Candace Resnick of Basalt Colorado is a world-class ceramic artist. Several years ago she approached the Princess Cruise lines with a unique idea about teaching ceramics at sea.
Today dozens of clay and ceramic artists have sailed around the world as guest artists on Princess ships.
Here s how it works. The artists teach very basic techniques to small groups of passengers in exchange for an all expenses paid trip aboard a cruise ship. Round trip airfare is also paid.
The position is not salaried but all meals {except alcoholic bevs} accommodations, shipboard
entertainment etc. are free.
Each voyage lasts about 30 days. So you would be tying up about a month. Ordinarily artists are given a lot of notice about future voyages.
Because the program has recently expanded to include more than the original 13 ships Center Fire desperately needs to find 2 potters for 2 cruises leaving approximately March 6th.
* Remember Princess pays your airfare to the ship and back home again too.The program is very organized. You will be well informed before you start.
I went out last year as a guest lecturer and visited Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti, Samoa and Fiji. It was spectacular!
Please e mail me or call with questions or for further details.

Sincerely,
Center Fire Ceramics
Jim Farrell
Tryon, North Carolina
828-859-9301
wntrbrd@yahoo.com
Princess Cruise Line Press Release:
http://www.princess.com/news/article.jsp?newsArticleId=na552
This email was sent by The American Ceramic Society P.O. Box 6136, Westerville, OH 43086-6136
If you are unable to see this e-mail, please visit: http://www.ceramics.org/emailmsg/pc-sea.html
To unsubscribe and to set your email preferences, please visit: http://wwwceramics.org/myacct/preferences.asp.

Salem Art Association's current employment opportunity:
Visual ARTS Center Ceramics Coordinator
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Amy at 503.581.7275.

Amy Schwartz
Visual ARTS Center Manager
Salem Art Association
1220 12th Street, Salem, OR 97302
amy@salemart.org
503.581.7275
(fax) 503.581.9801
www.salemart.org
Salem Art Association __________________________________________
C E R A M I C S ST U D I O C O O R D I N A T O R
Job Description - Updated: 02/11/05
Hours per week: 30 hours. Individual needs to be available 5 days a week.
Starting pay: Between $9.75 and $10.75 based on experience.
RESPONSIBLITIES:
STUDIO OPERATIONS
-responsible for firing all student work (excludes raku class firings):
bisque, low-fire glaze, cone 5 and cone 10
-electric kilns fired as needed
-gas kiln fired as needed (1-day firing, requires responsible individual close by to monitor
kiln.)
-keep track and organize special programs projects)
-monitor application of glazed pieces, reject inappropriate glazed work
-mix and maintain all glazes (raku, low-fire, cone 5, and cone 10)
20+ high fire glazes
12+ low fire glazes
-mix and maintain slips, stains and overglazes
-formulate and test new glazes, to change and diversify glaze palette
-monitor supplies
-clay
-raw materials
-tools
-order materials and supplies as needed
-oversee and direct duties of work study student (includes training)
-oversee open studio monitors
-maintain and repair studio equipment
-prepare kiln shelves for firing
-grind kiln shelves after firing)
-vacuum electric and gas kilns)
-set up studio for special workshops
-assist workshop artists
-maintain studio cleanliness
-empty trash
-control dust
-wipe surfaces
-clean sink traps
BUDGET
-responsible for creating yearly budget as it relates to ceramics studio expenses, maintenance,
equipment repairs and class lab fees.
-work closely with VAC Manager to determine budget goals and cost savings..
CLAY BALL FUNDRAISER DUTIES
-create clay balls/bisque fire (a lot of work)
-help organize event with co-chairs; attend meetings
-set-up/takedown
ART FAIR (possible changes for 2004)
-prepare and organize activities
-organize volunteers
-set-up/takedown
-organize equipment for Open Studio booths
-coordinate “Fun Run” plates and mugs
EMPTY BOWLS (Sept. – Nov.)
-organize volunteer potters for throw-a-thon
-trim, bisque fire and glaze bowls
-work with VAC Manager and Marion-Polk County Food Share Program
Event Coordinator
FACILITY DUTIES (daily)
-check and fill paper towel dispensers in ceramics studio
-change light bulbs, air filters for furnace, toilet paper, etc…
-obtain qualified help when maintenance/repairs are outside my ability and knowledge
(i.e. major plumbing, electrical, gas leaks, etc…)
ADMINISTRATIVE (daily)
-assist in answering phones
-assist in taking registrations
-give studio tours
-answer student questions
-communicate with VAC Manager on facility issues
-foster a creative and positive attitude for learning

*A word from the Show Chair

CGC members (and potential members),

As most of you already know, CGC's board is designing the Central Oregon clay showcase (yet to be named) after the OPA model. Their model differs from other art festivals in that there is one central cashier, which frees the artists to help out in areas other than their booth (a few hours each day). This enables us to create a show that is cooperatively run by the entire organization. The energy and enthusiasm for the proposed show is great! Now it is time to move from the vision to the nuts and bolts (basically... getting involved :-) !).
First and foremost, we need to get (as realistic as possible) an idea of how many potters will commit to the show. All final decisions related to facility size, booth fees etc. hinge upon a solid estimate of expected participation. Please take a moment to look over the following information and simply click on your "reply" button once you are ready to commit. This is not the official prospectus for the show; only a survey to pin down a realistic number of participants and get in idea which booth size applies for them. The show will be in September. Please do not reply if you cannot commit.

There are 4 different ways to take part in the show.

full booth (1artist)
This option is for full production artists that can adequately fill a 10'x10' space.
Requires booth fee and participation (work shifts).
20% commission
half-booth (1 artist)
Artists with a line of work that will fit a 5'x10' booth space.
Requires half-booth fee and participation (work shifts)
20% commission
group booth (1 section of work)
Multiple artists sharing one group booth area. Each with a
separate section.
Requires group-booth fee and participation (work shifts)
25% commission
gallery (1 piece)
All artists with work in one of the options mentioned above are allowed one piece in the "gallery" area
(this one piece can be replaced each time it sells, with another piece. Other member artists can choose
to take part in the gallery (1 piece at a time).
Free benefit for booth artists.
For those opting to participate in the Gallery only, these are the requirements: at least one work shift, a 10-15-dollar fee, and a 25% commission.
.
:-$ A reminder: Participation requires that you be a paid member of the Clay Guild of the Cascades (CGC). If you have not already done so, please take a moment to print out the form on our website and send it with your dues to Peter Meyer.
clayguildofthecascades.com <www.cascadesclayguild.com>

The membership list on the website will be revised to include only those who have paid by March 1, 2005.

The following is a list of the members that have already signed up for committees.
(** = still open)
Showcase Chair (15pts) - Bob Sant
Showcase Co-Chair (12pts) - Diana Popp
Showcase Secretary (9pts) - Linda Heisserman
Publicity Chairs (15pts) - Vania Setti, Carlos Lovizarro & Diana Popp
**Publicity Co-Chair (12pts) (poster)
**Mailing List Chair (6pts) (combine artist's lists for mailing)
Bookkeeping Chairs (9 pts) Deb Sether
(9 pts) Jesse Wojdak
Building Chair - Bob, Diana & Linda Heisserman
**Registrar Chair (12pts) (check-in)
Info Pack/Map Chair (9pts) - Tricia Harding
**Sponsor Chair(12 pts)(publicity, rentals, clay etc)
Work Shift Chair (12pts) - Annie Dyer
**Gallery Chair (12pts) (set up & display)
Children's Area Chair (9pts) - John Kinder
Demonstrations Chair (9pts)- Brad Henry
**Equipment Rental Chair (6pts)
**Group Booth Chair (6pts)
Security/Holding Area Chair (9pts)- Connie Thornberry
Wrapping Station Chair (9pts) - Peter Meyer
Empty Bowls Chair (6pts) (ticket sales) Helen Bomarito

Please note that a "chair" position earns the artist additional points accumulated towards choice of booth placement in future shows. All who have a booth, half booth or group booth participation earn 2pts (those who only show in the gallery get 1 pt). We will not be implementing the booth placement based on accumulated points till the second showcase year.

Hopefully this will make the process clear to you. Should you have additional questions or great ideas for the name of the show, please email me. Thanks for your time and I look forward to working together to make this yet another great event for the Central Oregon Arts Community...

Bob Sant - bobsant@thebluesprucegallery.com