6:30pm: Business Meeting. Contact our new President, Cynthia Spencer (541-753-4606) with items for the agenda.

will have 1999 board member elections. Bring written announcements for the wall, Empty Bowls donations, items for the swap table, etc.

7:30: Program. Eugene area clay artists Michael Fromme and Daniel Young will give slide presentations of their work. Lotte Streisinger will talk about her long history of arts advocacy in Lane County. Snacks and coffee will be served at break (have you brought any snacks lately? If not, please bring some to share!)

THANKS TO MARY WALYER, THE 1998 PRESIDENT FOR DOING A GREAT JOB! Once again, the OPA has had a wonderful year with a great leader! Thanks Mary! And thanks, too, to Cynthia Spencer for volunteering to be President in 1999!

NEXT BOARD MEETING: 6:30pm February 3rd at Victoria Shaw's house, 4806 NE 14th Pl (Place, not Street or Avenue!!!) in Portland, from I-5 heading north, take Killingsworth/Alberta exit, stay right, turn right onto Alberta at stop sign, go to 14th Place, turn right, house is on corner. From I-5 heading south take Alberta exit, go left at stop sign, go up Alberta, take right on 14th Place (corner of Wygant & 14th Pl). Call 331-0950 if you are lost

OFFICERS:

**President- (not on ballot- elected in 1998) 15 points. Presides over all OPA board and general meetings. Attends all Showcase Steering Committee meetings. Works directly with Showcase Chair. Communicates with all OPA committees. Advises and directs all board members on their assigned projects. Represents OPA at NCECA conference, brings back information to the membership. Often works on one large project, for instance updating by-laws.

2000 President/1999 President Elect

- 9 points. Should have a good knowledge of the OPA. Attends general and board meetings. Conducts meetings in the absence of President. Attends Showcase Steering Committee and Newcomer meetings if possible. Steps into ad hoc committee work as needed. Presents outgoing President with a thank you gift.

Secretary- 9 points. Responsible for attending and taking the minutes at 6 board and 6 general meetings. Types minutes in a timely fashion and sends to President and board. Keeps OPA records.

*Treasurer -(2 year position: 1999 & 2000) 15 points. Keeps all the books for OPA and Showcase. Attends many meetings of OPA, Showcase and with paid bookkeeper.

*Program Chair- 9 points. Arranges five 45-50 minute programs to follow business part of OPA meetings. Presentations should be of interest to OPA members: slides, demos, lectures related to clay art. July meeting program is traditionally the "Best of Show" winner. Informs newsletter editor of upcoming programs. Stores OPA slide projector and carousel.

**Past President (not on ballot, since current prez is automatically in this position next year)- 6 points. Supports President and continues working on OPA related projects.

Ceramic Showcase 1999 Chair-15 points. Clearing house for all questions, general organization, meeting schedules etc… Coordinates all of the chairs and committees for Ceramic Showcase 1999. For more info talk with Mark Heimann.

At Large Board Members (12 positions, 6 points each). At Large Members work with the board on special projects and committees. Must attend 6 board meetings discuss and vote on issues and share in the responsibility in running the OPA. Some of the projects worked on by members this year include the following:

putting together a list of OPA job descriptions; revising the OPA by-laws; printing & selling OPA and Showcase T-shirts; organizing the "outreach committee;" organizing and promoting newcomers meetings in Eugene and elsewhere; collecting bowls in throughout the state for Empty Bowls; working with the Oregon Folklife Program of the Oregon Historical Society for OPA to assist in the International Refugee Center for Arts for New Immigrants program; coordinating OPA members who need places to stay while out of town; assisting OPA members in writing articles for publication in ceramics periodicals.

One new At Large Board Member job next year could be for someone in the Portland area to be responsible for answering the OPA phone messages. Messages average 5-20 per week. Coordinating OPA group buys will also be a job for At-Large Board members.

COMMITTEE CHAIRS:

Membership- 9 points. Maintains and updates current and past membership files. Compiles and publishes the OPA membership list at the beginning of each year. Sends a welcome letter and back issues of the newsletter to each new member who joins mid year. Adds new members, membership renewals and address changes to each bimonthly newsletter.

Hospitality- 6 points. Sets up snacks & drinks area before each OPA general meeting. Set up requires: bringing the coffee and teapot, napkins etc, cleaning up after each meeting. Stores equipment. Works with picnic committee.

Empty Bowls Chair-12 points. Knowledge of the history of Empty Bowls Project is helpful. Arranges for the collection of bowls that are donated throughout the year. Must be available to take part in all aspects of set up and take down at Waterfront Park the week of July 4th. Coordinates volunteers to work in all aspects of set up, take down and manning the booth during the sale. Works with The Oregon Food Bank regarding booth and sales. Publicizes Empty Bowls to a variety of press organizations- writes press releases and provides photos. Provides newsletter editor with Empty Bowls information.

Empty Bowls Co- Chair- 6 points. Work hand in hand with Empty Bowls Chair. See above description.

Web Page- 6 points (the points for this position are being re-evaluated and will probably be raised). Must be connected to the world wide web and be able to create and edit web pages on Microsoft Front Page or other web page editor or HTML. Updates OPA Web page information which includes: adding links to member pages and other web servers, adding new pages to the OPA site for members, updating Showcase page before Showcase each year, include an edited, updated copy of the newsletter, check e-mail, pass on the newsletter editor any information pertinent to members to be included in the newsletter. Pays web-hosting service and keeps all correspondence on file. Keeps board appraised of web page happenings and makes any changes or additions the board requests.

Workshops- 6 points. Organizes a few workshops per year with local and/or visiting artists.

Clay in Education- 6 points. Reviews projects submitted by members for educational clay activities in their communities. Determines number of hours for which the instructor may be paid. Assists and advises about procurement of materials, tools, firing space etc. Organizes the Clay in Education area at Art in the Pearl.

Justice Center Window Co-ordinator-6 points. Co-ordinates displays in the Justice Center Windows (downtown Portland). Sets up and breaks down many of the displays. Displays change every 4-6 weeks

Permanent Collection- 6 points. Arranges display opportunities for the OPA permanent collection. Packs and returns the collection to storage.

Mentor Program- 6 points. Matches established OPA members with new members to help welcome them to the organization.

If you are interested in running (or re-running) for any of the above positions, please notify Mary  by January 2nd to have your name appear on the ballot.

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT: "My vision as President was all about communication. With OPA membership of 400, this year has filled my life with a lot of communication.

"The OPA phone voice mail has had 390 messages to date and the web page gets 10-20 hits per day for Jim Sloss (please send him slides or prints and your work could be on the net).

"The newcomers' meetings in Vancouver and especially Eugene have been very successful. The Eugene group is meeting regularly and planning events for the future under the umbrella of OPA.

"I eagerly relinquish my crown to Cynthia Spencer and welcome her into the 1999 Presidency.

"I thank the Board and the Committee Chairs for all their energy and enthusiasm. It has been a lively year in which I have gained a great deal of personal growth and friendships." -Mary Walyer (thanks again, Mary for doing a great job!)

OPA MEETING DATES FOR 1999: We have reserved Multnomah Art Center for January 8th, March 12th, May 14th, July 9th and November 12th (September meeting is a picnic, no date yet).

HURRICANE RELIEF IN NICARAGUA: OPA member Tracy Wolf has been organizing a group of people from OPA and Saturday Market to donate and sell crafts to help fund Hurricane Relief efforts. With the help of Cindy Clark and various other craftspeople, she has been manning a booth at Saturday Market and has collected $700. They will have the booth on Sundays through Dec 19th, and you can drop off work at Stark Street Studio (SE 28th & Stark in Portland), Essence of Fire Gallery (7035 SW Macadam in Portland) or at Deborah Shapiro's booth at Saturday Market. Good job!

CLAY IN EDUCATION: "As chairperson of OPA Clay in Education program, I do the following:

1) Review projects submitted by members who propose educational activities in their communities

2) Set a number of hours OPA will pay for from Clay in Education budget for instructors

3) Assist and advise in matters concerning procurement of materials, tools, firing space, etc.

SHOWCASE EXPANSION: The expansion group is studying the funds, space requirements and committee needs for any future expansion of Showcase. It is not too late for them to hear your opinion! Please write or call any committee member. Currently, the cost to double the size of Showcase is estimated at about $20,000 more than our current costs. Last year, about ten people were unable to get into Showcase from the wait list. People have suggested wider aisles, larger booths, "environments" areas (dining room, living room, kitchen, garden, bathroom areas), more demos and teaching, etc. The possibility of moving to the Expo Center was explored, but people were concerned about the Friday traffic on I-5. The Expansion Committee will publish their findings and make a ballot which will be included in an early 1999 newsletter. Committee members are: Chris gum, Ann Selberg, Samm Dobash, Gil Harrison, Cynthia Spencer, Greg Tomlinson, Chris Nielson, Ann Fleming, Nancy Hart, Mark Heimann and Margie Adams. Their next meeting will be before the January 8th OPA meeting at 4pm at Jan Edward's house, 2650 SW Custer (a couple of short blocks from Multnomah Art Center). Bring a snack to share. If you need directions, call Margie Adams.   Everyone is welcome

NEWS AND COMMENTS FROM THE CHAIR: "We are still on track at the Convention Center for May 5-9, 1999 and have reserved May 3-7, 2000. If you have not sent in your application for the 1999 show, by the time you get this newsletter it will be too late!! Linda Bourne, Showcase Registrar, has been working hard to process all of the info. Thank you, Linda!! If your application got "lost" last year, make sure that your application was received this year (see list in this newsletter).

"At the November general meeting there was a "discussion" about the newly-implemented $75 application deposit. The Showcase Steering Committee (SCSC) decided to try this to diminish the committee & workshift headaches caused by well-intentioned applicants who drop out after the refund deadline. Unfortunately, the application printing deadline arrived before we could discuss this subject with the general membership. For this we apologize. The deposit is not a "penalty" for anyone except the person who does not follow through on commitment to the show. Each refund situation will be evaluated by the SCSC.

"We are still an organization with heart, and even though our roster has grown significantly, the original "co-op" spirit is still alive. If you have an idea or opinion about how Showcase is (or could be) run, please share it, either by calling/writing/e-mailing/faxing me, or by attending a SCSC meeting and talking to us. That's much more productive than public diatribes or backroom grumbling.

"At October's general meeting I asked for input from any/all of you concerned about the direction Showcase is taking, in the form of a written "mission statement". Are we strictly commercial, educational, too big, too small, too limited, not limited enough or what?? Do we like the application procedures, the physical layout, the "image"? I have received nothing. I reckon that this means that everyone is quite happy with things as they are. That contentment is a good thing, especially timely for the holidays. Thank you!

"May the season bring you joy and the new year success in all your endeavors."

-Mark Heimann, Showcase Chair. fax 631-8683, email markmann@teleport.com

PUBLICITY COMMITTEE needs your photos! They can use black & white or color prints or color slides. Send to Audrey Graham, 32493 Juliette Dr, Wilsonville OR 97070. Thanks to Linda Haworth for volunteering to be co-chair of this committee!

LOBBY DISPLAY: Lyn Sedlak-Ford is looking for larger work for the lobby entry display. She is also looking for majolica (maiolica? maholica? The editor will give a prize to the person who really knows how to spell it- my spellcheck says majolica) work for the "educational" display (also in the lobby). Call Lyn 360-834-9366 if you have some lovely pieces for these displays.

SHOWCASE DEPOSIT CHECKS (again!): All booth deposit checks for Showcase will be held by Ramona Searle, Treasurer, rather than being deposited. If you withdraw from Showcase before March 1, your check will be returned to you. The rest of the checks will be held until Showcase sales checks go out in late May so that only one mailing will be necessary (OPA board member Jim Keith suggests saving your deposit check and re-using it year after year. It could become a collectors' item)

SHOWCASE MAILING LISTS: Our Showcase mailing list brings in about one third of our customers. Please collect your mailing list (and updates from last year), and bring it to the January meeting. You can submit them in a variety of ways: on 3x5 cards; computer printouts in 3-column format; clearly hand written lists; floppy disk (PC format only); or any other very clear method. The best method is by disk, this will save us money, and you will get your disk back. Whatever method you use, skip a few lines between entries to make it easier to read. If you do not bring it to a meeting, mail it by the end of February to Ken Pincus, 5130 SW 175th, Aloha OR 97007. 649-3448. Would you like a copy of your mailing list? Our data entry service has many of the 23,000+ names coded with the initials of the person who submitted the names. For a fee of $30-40, each member can have their names printed out (onto labels if you want). We pay extra for this coding service, and it is a great way to update your own mailing list! Since the uncoded names which will be collected in the future will be available for other events, make certain that any mailing list you do not want to share beyond Showcase is clearly labeled with your name so that it will be properly coded.

ARE YOU DROPPING OUT OF SHOWCASE? If so, you must contact several people:

Farshad Barman, Building Chair.

Carl Lebreton, Workshift Chair.

Nancy Hart, Committee Placement Chair.

Your Committee Chair

SELLING OVER THE WEB: A recent article in The Crafts Report (January 1999) confirmed this editor's suspicion that, while any publicity can help you sell your work, selling over the web is not a huge money-maker. The article covered various types of web-selling. It sounded like much of it was not too promising, but it is also not too expensive to advertise on the web. One interesting statistic is that 71% of online purchases are made by men. Hmmm, I sell almost everything to women.

FLETCHER CHALLENGE CERAMICS AWARD: According to several recent articles in ceramics magazines, the famous Fletcher Challenge exhibition in New Zealand has lost its corporate sponsorship. The Auckland Studio Potters, which managed the competition, may develop a different exhibit/award in a future year, but so far there is no plan. This is a sad loss, since this was one of the few international ceramics competitions (yep, a few OPA members have made it into the Fletcher Challenge over the years).

WOODFIRED COFFIN KILN: The fall 98 issue of Contact had an interesting article about a woodfired coffin kiln. For those of you who are thinking about building a woodfired kiln, the article does have some basic plans.

CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS GALLERY in Portland has a new director. Pamela Siers has replaced Marlene Gabel. She hails from the Vermont State Craft Center, the Angels Gate Cultural Center (San Pedro, CA) in addition to several other crafts organizations.

FENG SHUI: Have you been wondering about Feng Shui? As a potter, have you wanted to capitalize on it? Read the November issue of the Crafts Report to learn about lighting, texture, which side of the room is useful for what, and more.

20TH CENTURY MASTER PAINTERS using ceramics as their media was the subject of an article in Ceramics: Art and Perception (#33 1998). This article was interesting, since when Braque, Miro, Chagall, Matisse, Picasso and others were working on clay, the field of ceramics was a narrow, functional-oriented field. These painters worked with clay and made more modern, sculptural work with it. This probably paved the way for more innovative work of today.

PICASSO'S CERAMICS at the Tacoma Art Museum. From the collection of Picasso's granddaughter, this is the only North American showing. Picasso was intensively involved in ceramics from 1945 to 1969, and this exhibit features 60 pieces. The pieces were thrown by potters in Vallauris, France, then Picasso slipped and glazed them. There will be a catalogue. Tues-Sat, 10am-6pm, Sept 25-Jan 10, 1999.

BUCKETS AVAILABLE: The man who does the recycling for McMenamins' bars has a large quantity of all types of buckets (small, large, plastic, non-plastic) which are available to potters. His name is Scott Lipscomb, and the buckets are stored in the Hawthorne neighborhood in Portland. 250-8981

TOXIC KILN EMISSIONS: The Dec. 98 issue of Pottery in Australia had an article about kiln emissions. Specifically, formaldehyde is produced by the decomposition of organic compounds (wax, gum, lusters, natural impurities) and can cause cancer as well as being a sensitizer (you become more allergic to it the more often you are exposed). Sulfur and chlorine compounds are usually present from impurities in clay, and they are corrosive lung irritants. Carbon monoxide is often produced when anything combustible is introduced to a kiln, or when firing fuel-fired kilns, and the early symptoms of poisoning include headaches and fatigue (as well as flushed face and scratchy throat -ed). Additionally, the article mentions metal fumes which are emitted at much lower temperatures than one might suspect. There are various ways to vent kilns. The hood-type vents allow a lot of fumes to escape into the room. The direct vents are better, and the article mentions some which do not draw as much cold air into your kiln as the ones with which we are familiar (there are also some new vent systems which actually filter the toxic stuff out, rather than just pumping outside. I do not know how well they have been working. -ed). In short, vent your kiln and live longer.

ART & CRAFT THEME PARK: Currently under construction on Australia's Gold Coast is the Village Square Art & Craft Theme Park with 300 shops and retail studios. It is in tourist area on Hope Island. Sounds interesting. Their development office phone is (07) 5530 1885, no phone # if you just want to go visit sometime.

BOOKS FROM AMERICAN CERAMIC SOCIETY: Great Ideas for Potters II is the second book which compiles the best of the "Suggestions" columns from Ceramics Monthly. They also have Great Ideas for Potters (the first book from the "Suggestions" column), and Answers to Potters' Questions (a best-of the "Questions" column). These are $9.95 each. The Potters Guide is listing of materials, equipment, services and supplies throughout the US and the world ($15). Out of the Earth, Into the Fire connects ceramic materials, their geological, chemical and manufacturing origins with empirical test results. It is an in-depth look at them for claybodies and glazes ($57). They also have been publishing Pottery Making Illustrated, their new how-to magazine (4 issues/year, $15). Prices include shipping. To order call 614-794-5890, www.acers.org or email accounting@acers.org

LEAD GLAZES: More info keeps coming in about the Oregon Health Division's lead alert. Mary Walyer has been talking to them about handmade domestic pottery versus the imports, and while the Health Division seems to be pretty aware that we do not use lead glazes, often the news organizations to whom they give this information get it wrong. Several recent news reports have mentioned lead in handmade pottery. If you see or hear anything on your local news, please call them and set them straight, or get exact info (what station, which announcer, date, time, etc) and call Mary at 654-5098. In the meantime, keep in mind that if you use commercial glazes, "food safe" does not mean "lead free". Usually "food safe" glazes have fritted lead, and you should get them tested. You can buy lead test kits at Georgie's, as well as at many other ceramic suppliers.

ARTIST TRUST NEWSLETTER covers artist-driven programs, funding and opportunities in Washington State. Membership $25/yr. 1402 3rd Ave, suite 404, Seattle WA 98101. 206-467-8734, email arttrust@eskimo.com

ARTIST HEALTH INSURANCE RESOURCE CENTER: This group has been selected by the NEA to create a health insurance resource center for the arts community nationwide. Contact them at The Actors Fund of America, 1501 Broadway suite 518, New York NY 10036, email www.actorsfund.org

BUMPERSTICKERS: For $2 each you can have a bumpersticker that says "I MY KILN" or "my other kiln is an anagama" Send your money to Janet Buskirk, 3624 SE Yamhill, Portland OR 97214 and specify how many of which sticker you want.

CLASSES AT GEORGIES: Georgies has expanded their class offerings. They have lots of different classes at both of their stores. Many are taught by Deb Norby, who is well known for her fun and colorful low-fire sculpture.

PRECIOUS METAL CLAY: Catherine Wygant sent in an article she wrote for Studio PMC, the newsletter for Precious Metal Clay. PMC is the clay that has actual gold or other metals in the clay, and fires out as a piece of metal. PMC alone shrinks as much as 50%, but Catherine's article, as well as other articles in the same issue, discussed layering the PMC over another piece of clay or setting a flat piece of the PMC on a rough surface during firing so that the PMC would be "grabbed" as it shrank and not shrink as much. Want to know more? Studio PMC's address is PO box 257, Bennington VT 05201. www.pmclay.com. You can buy PMC through Rio Grande Jewelry Supplies, 7500 Bluewater Rd NW, Albuquerque NM 87121, email bluegem@riogrande.com, phone 505-839-3000, 800-545-6566

MERCHANT CREDIT CARD SERVICES: The Novus Network is still trying to get small businesses to sign up for merchant credit card services through them. Many OPA members, as well as LOCAL 14, use them and like them. They have offered to waive set up fees and other costs to OPA members. Their percentage on Novus/Discover and VISA/Mastercard are 2 to 2.5%, and the costs of purchasing or leasing electronic equipment from them are reasonable. To sign up, call 800-347-6673, identify yourself as an OPA member, and tell them that the OPA's franchise code is 1343.

CRAFT EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND (CERF): CERF helps craft persons who have been in disasters. They have no-interest loans up to $5000, as well as booth fee waivers and other forms of assistance. They have a general fund as well as some specific funds (Specific to media, geographic region, type of emergency). This has been a year full of emergencies. If you would like to donate to them, send a check to PO box 838, Montpelier VT 05601

MASSAGE: Katy McFadden highly recommends Mary Storrs, who relieved Katy's joint and muscle pain when all else failed. 244-0919

FELLOWSHIP/RESIDENCY: McNight Ceramic Artists Fellowships and Residency is open to mid-career ceramists working in pairs. $3800 award. Each artist is provided studio space, glaze & firing allowance. Northern Clay Center, 2424 Franklin Ave East, Minneapolis MN 55406, 612-339-8007

SLIDE BANK: The Oregon Arts Commission has a visual artists' slide bank. This is a non-juried resource bank used for public art programs, businesses, galleries and the public who are seeking artists. This is becoming a primary mechanism for selecting under $10,000 public art projects. Mail slides, resumes, artist statement to Visual Artist Slide Bank, OAC, 775 Summer St NE, Salem OR 97310. Request info from Leah Wiebe, 503-986-0084, email leah.wiebe@state.or.us. Also, the International Sculpture Center has a computerized visual registry and referral service, and they are accepting slides. For application contact Sculpture Source Inc, 1050 17th St NW, suite 250, Washington DC 20036, 202-785-1144

PUBLIC HANGING: The Salem Art Association is having a "Public Hanging" (a non-juried, first-come, first-hung exhibit, until the walls are full). You must live within 25 miles of Salem, one piece per person, work must be original, not larger than 30" any direction, not shown at Bush Barn previously. Deliver to Bush Barn Art Center, 600 Mission St SE in Salem, January 16 from 1 to 3pm. Show closes Feb 11. 40% commission if work is for sale. 581-2228

PERCENT FOR ART: The Oregon Arts Commission is looking for art to purchase or commission for the Forest Ecosystem Research Lab at Oregon State University in Corvallis. Deadline Jan 15, contact OAC for all the details, 775 Summer St NE, Salem OR 97310, Ellen Flacker, 503-986-0085, Ellen.Flacker@State.OR.US. Also the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library Foundation is looking for work with the themes 100 (yes, the number), literature, letters, books, poetry, community, past, present and future. This could be one or more pieces. Deadline Jan 8. Call Corby Stonebaker 541-754-1551

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Porcelain 99", deadline Jan 15. Open to functional forms in porcelain. Juror Richard Zakin, $20 up to 5 entries, send SASE to Porcelain 99, Esmay Fine Art, 1855 Monroe Ave, Rochester NY 14618, 716-271-3886

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "7th Annual Strictly Functional Pottery National", deadline Jan 29, juror Warren McKenzie. $20 up to 3 entries, send SASE to Jean Lehman, PO Box 204, East Petersburg PA 17520

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Earth, Foundation for Exploration" at the Corvallis Art Center during DaVinci Days. Work should be inspired by the theme and show connection with science. Send resume, statement which clarifies connection with earth/technology/science, description of material to illustrate connection with earth theme for the public, max 20 slides, slide list (w/ media, size, date of completion, your name, title, dot in lower left corner), SASE. Deadline Feb 18. Send to Earth, Foundation for Exploration, 700 SW Madison, Corvallis OR 97333, 541-754-1551, Hester Coucke

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Looking for raku work for multi-media show for January/February 2000 at the Benton County Museum in Philomath. Work should compliment industrial photography. Deadline March 1, 1999. Send slides/proposals to Irene Zenev, Exhibits Curator, Benton Co Museum, PO Box 35, Philomath OR 97370, 541-929-6230

LOOKING FOR POTTER to make (cast?) scent rings to go on top of light bulbs, need 200 to start, donut shaped glazed ring with channel for scented oil. Call Shelly, Essential Oil Co in Sellwood (Portland), 872-8772

CALLS FOR ENTRIES: Contemporary Crafts is looking for work for several shows slated for 1999: Eating Right, Surpassing Function and Changing Rituals, common, functional, everyday utensils and kitchenware that just happen to be beautiful, March 23-May 2, deadline Jan 30, mixed media, juror Kate Bonasinga; Below 2000, an exhibition of ceramic work fired below 2000^F, May 4-June 13, deadline Feb 26, juror Mark Burns; Growing Up with Roy, work influenced by 1950s Saturday morning TV shows, June 22-Aug 1, deadline April 15, mixed media, juror Joe Bova; Handmade Oregon, open to all former and current Oregon residents, Aug 10-Sept 19, deadline June 1, various medias, juror Janet Koplos. For prospectus send SASE to CCG/Exhibitions, 3934 SW Corbett, Portland OR 97201, 223-2654, ccg3934@aol.com

VICTORIA CHRISTIANSON: She has recently moved here from Illinois where she taught full time at Knox College. She will assemble and decorate pieces of her low-temperature work. She makes her living as a potter and will share ideas with participants about doing the national craft fair circuit, as well as about maintaining integrity and freshness in work. Jan. 16, 9-4. Sponsored by Mount Hood Comm. College Ceramics Club and OPA, $20 OPA members, $25 others. Limited to 40 participants. Please bring dish to share for lunch. Beverages & utensils provided. Checks to MHCC Ceramics Club, MHCC, Stephen Mickey, Visual Arts, 26000 SE Stark, Gresham OR 97030, 491-7149

DAN ANDERSON: Dan teaches at Univ of Illinois at Edwardsville. He is known for work that relates to water tower forms in the midwest. He often sandblasts his vessels and is currently firing in anagama and soda. He will construct some vessels and help fire the new MHCC soda kiln. Bring a piece to be critiqued on Saturday if you like. Sponsored by OPA & MHCC. Feb 27-28, 9-4, $35 for OPA members & MHCC students, $45 to others. Send checks to MHCC Ceramics Club, Stephen Mickey, MHCC, 26000 SE Stark St, Gresham OR 97030. Bring lunch or eat out. Donuts & coffee provided, bring fruit or goodies to share!

TED VOGEL: Ted makes large, interesting sculptural work. Feb 13, 10-4, $25 (students $10), Lower Columbia Comm College (main bldg, room 104) in Longview. Call Dan Sheridan (360-578-2951) or Joe Batt (after Jan 4, 360-577-3415)

RUTHANNE TUDBALL: England's famous soda-firing potter and author of "Soda Firing" will give a 1-day workshop at the Salem Ceramic Center. Probably Feb 18 (date unconfirmed), call 503-581-7275

CRAIG MARTELL: Slip decorating, Jan 24 9-5, $59+$5, Marjorie Sherman Ceramic Center in Salem, 503-581-7275

DAN CHEN: Sumi brush painting, Jan 17, 12-4, $20 at the door. Also, from 4-8pm, Majolica Madness Party, a potluck and painting party sponsored by Mary Lou Zeek and Friends of the Ceramic Center. Glazed bisqueware is available for sale, or bring your own. A good time. Margarie Sherman Ceramic Center, 1220 12th St SE, Salem OR

NILS LOU: Kiln Building, Jan 30-31, 9-4, $165+$10. Focus on the electric kiln, how to repair elements, kiln sitter, etc. Also focuses on fuel fired kilns, construction, firing and refractory coatings. Oregon College of Art & Craft, 503-297-5544

CATHERINE MERRILL: Figure sculpture, April 17-18, 9-4, $155+$30, working form live model, focus on dynamic & expressive clay forms. Oregon College of Art & Craft, 503-297-5544

LINDA ARBUCKLE: February 1999 at Georgie's, 283-1353. Thrown and altered majolica work

CONFERENCE: The Alabama Clay Conference 99, "Clay At the Top" will be held at the University of North Alabama in Florence, February 17-20. Patrick Horsley, among other people will be a presenter. For info: 1809 NorthWood Ave, Florence AL 35630, email jjerkinscomputerconsulting@compuserve.com

INLAND CRAFT WARNINGS: Oct 8-10 at Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, deadline April 1, send SASE to G Freuen, 15205 Shady Slope Rd, Spokane WA 99208

MIGRATORY BIRD FESTIVAL: April 9-11 in Burns. $40-45 booth fee. Deadline March 26, first come first served. Schelly Daugherty 541-573-7934, 573-1170, email mdaugh@ptinet.net or Carla Burnside 541-493-2612, 493-2466, email carla_burnside@fws.gov

SALEM ART FAIR: July 16-19, deadline Feb 19, 20% commission, 503-581-2228, 600 Mission St SE, Salem OR 97302.

SPOKANE ART FEST June 4-6, $30-40 booth fee+20%, deadline March 12, Sue Ellen Heflin, 509-328-0900, Barbara Racker 509-456-3931 x125

ART IN THE PEARL in NW Park Blocks in Portland. 3rd annual (the last two were great!) Sept 4-6, deadline March 31, $350 booth fee, no commission, send SASE to PO box 5906, Portland OR 97228-5906.

WALLY READ is having a medical emergency and the OPA has mobilized its relief fund on his behalf. Please see the enclosed page for more information.

LYNN BERRY and her husband, Rick have been accepted as caretakers for the National Baha'i Centre in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. They are very excited and will be leaving in a few weeks. Good luck, Lynn & Rick! (see their house for sale ad later in newsletter)

LAURIE CHILDERS wrote from Chile to mention that she, in addition to Richey Bellinger, Dave & Boni Deal, Matthew Lyon, Ruri and Rhea Shea had photos in Lark Books' Wheel Thrown Ceramics. She hopes her letter gets to the OPA, since Chilean mail is "something of a joke" and she looks forward to being back involved in the OPA in 1999.

MEMBERSHIP IN OPA is open to any serious studio potter in Oregon or southwest Washington. Membership is $35 per calendar year (Jan-Dec), and people who live over 100 miles from Portland and do not plan to use other membership benefits may subscribe to the newsletter for $10. Mail name, address, telephone #, shoe size & check to PO Box 14614, Portland OR 97293

LOUIS MIDEKE: Whatcom County Museum of History & Art until Feb 7 in Bellingham.

FREE COMPUTER: Dinosaur! Leading Edge 286, has monitor, dot matrix printer, MS word included. Molasses-slow but reliable for mailing lists, inventory, etc, Deborah Shapiro 624-5780

FOR SALE: Cone 10 Crystal Kiln with multiple thermocouple probes (3) with selector switch, cam operated temperature control, built by Aeschylus Enterprises (Kenny Simpson) in 1976, Used very little, with shelves, $1000. Eugene Ryman, 2091 Bonniebrae Dr, Lake Oswego OR 97034 (no phone #)

FOR SALE: complete bottom ring for Skutt 1227 kiln, fired one time. Includes bricks, coils, control band, $100 obo, great for replacement parts! Marylyn 360-694-8881. Also 12 varieties of roses, healthy, trade for art work

FOR SALE: booth wall set up: a set of 3 six foot high and 3 eight foot high walls. 2x2" lumber with routed interlocking ends and nut/bolt assembly. Fireproofed. Includes new & used matte black corrugated fireproof paper covering. All you need is a staple gun, screw driver & socket wrench. Collapses to 12"x12"x8' (or 6') package. Don't be afraid! Matte black dramatically sets off 95% of colors. $150. Just the paper & hardware would cost that! Pamela Mattson McDonald, 360-642-4727, I can bring to the January meeting

FOR SALE: Olympic updraft gas kiln, top loading 28" widex31" deep (inside dimensions), 16 half shelves & pyrometer included, easy to move, all in good condition. $700, Leslie Green, 541-929-3804

BUSINESS FOR SALE: Downtown Lake Oswego, 2800 sq ft retail location, lease terms, includes kilns, drying racks, paints, bisque, seats 80, 1997 gross $170,000, "Kilmanjaro" Broker Leann Bennett, 692-3050

FOR SALE: (this ad was sent in September-it got lost in the mail) Brent model A wheel w/ splash pan $300, Bluebird Pugmill model 650s non vacuum $1000, ware carts 24x24x72 w/ 14 half shelves $150, 36x24x72 w/ 14 half shelves $275, Crusader elec kiln w/ furniture (very used but ok) $100, Pure & Simple mold system $40, Lots of pottery books at half new price, misc tools at bargain prices, Jan Greenwell, 222 Thayer Dr, Richland WA 99352, 509-943-9065, egreenwell@prodigy.net

FOR SALE: Skutt automatic kiln 1027 includes Envirovent & furniture kit, fired 25 times $1500; Studio Star portable casting table, purchased new 10/97 $300; Yvonne Hanks, 360-253-4954

FOR SALE: Olympic Torchbearers gas kiln model 2827G, 270k BTU/hr. Cone 10, 6 burners, original shape w/ stacking rings 28" wide to 40" high, top draft, comes w/ 75 gal propane tank, hood etc. Asking $2950. Also, small electric kiln approx size of 5-gallon bucket, 115 volt, goes to cone 6, asking $300. Scott Hill, 503-842-7329 or 301-8884 (Tillamook)

FOR SALE: Lockerbie kick wheel, excellent condition, $250 obo. Front loading gas kiln, inside 18"hx16.5"wx17"d, insulating firebrick & angle iron construction, 8 burners (4 extra), pressure gauge etc, $250. Studio Potter magazines, complete set, volumes 1-20 (39 issues), fall 1972-June 1992, as new, $200 obo. George Cummings, 288-2361 (Portland)

FOR SALE: Minnesota Flat Top kiln, 40 cu ft, fired twice, w/ burners, $2800; Gare kiln, 8 cu ft w/ kiln sitter, $300; Cromartie Kiln, 11 cu ft, oval w/ computer $700; Ceramic Monthly magazines, 1950-1990, Studio Potter magazines, books, motorized clamp on mixer, $60; Brent Extruder $100; other misc stuff, Steve Task, 682-3220 (Wilsonville)

HOUSE FOR SALE: nice 3 bedroom, 1227 sq ft, large den, large garage with studio/shop room attached, large driveway with ample parking for cars/RV. Perfect for home/office. Asking $104,900 (below market value). In Clackamas Co near Portland city limits, near Tri-Met routes, easy access to I-205, North Clackamas School District. If interested call Lynn or Rick Berry, 503-775-9151

SPACE AVAILABLE: If you are interested in a 2 bedroom living space & fully equipped ceramic studio w/ kilns & lots of storage call Chris Kienle 503-324-8322

APPRENTICESHIP WANTED: 2 yr student at Clackamas Community Coll with Katy McFadden seeks part time position in ceramic studio, Corinna Faughn, 760-6289

JOB WANTED: Anything dealing with clay in Oregon, Washington or California, studio or gallery, just graduated from Luther College in Decorah IA. Heather Raveling buckythebeaver@hotmail.com

POTTER NEEDS WORK: Willing to relocate. 18+ years experience in production pottery, all aspects- production, quality control, glazing, firing, marketing & distribution. I have all necessary equipment. Any possibilities would be followed up on. William Zabel, 509-588-6090, PO box 69, Prosser WA 99350

PRODUCTION POTTER WANTED: with intermediate to advanced wheel skills, to live & work in rural setting halfway between Portland & Seattle. Studio space, living space & instruction in production techniques in return for production work & house-sitting duties. Contact Richard Roth, Grand Prarie Designs, 360-785-3682 in WA or 707-537-9583 in CA

Sadly, two OPA members, Henry Meade and Wally Read, have recently had medical emergencies.

Henry is currently in St Vincent's Hospital in Portland after suffering from an aneurysm. He has been ill and unable to work for several months, and is in a difficult financial situation.

Wally has recently had a medical emergency and has also been unable to work for the past several months.

It is unclear when either of them will be able to return to work. During these difficult situations, the OPA collects money from anyone who is willing to donate, and disburses it to members in trouble. Is it possible for you to donate to the fund for Henry or Wally?

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DATES TO REMEMBER:

Jan 2 Board nomination deadline

Jan 8 OPA meeting

Jan 17 OPA/Eugene potluck

Feb 3 OPA board meeting

Feb 10 Newsletter deadline