6:15pm: Showcase Business Meeting. Members of the Steering Committee will present information about Showcase commissions and booth fees. They are in the process of re-examining the contentious issue of how much of Showcase’s income should be derived from booth fees versus how much should come from commissions. These decisions are difficult, and the Steering Committee does not want to make these decisions in a void. Please come to the meeting and join the discussion.

7:15pm: OPA Business Meeting. The usual announcements and business. Bring items for the swap table and snacks to share. To be on the agenda, call Sandy Brown, 503-552-8695

7:45pm: Program: "Night of the Living Slabs" Ellen Currans will demonstrate her slab-building techniques, and slides will be shown of OPA members’ slab work (January’s program will be a woodfire panel discussion featuring several local anagama kiln owners)

NEXT BOARD MEETING: 6:30pm, December 3 at Julie Asbury’s new home in, 1328 Aletha St, Woodburn. Take I-5 to exit #271 (Woodburn exit), go east on Hwy 214, turn left on Boones Ferry Rd, turn left on Henry’s Blvd, turn right on Aletha, 503-982-6946

I hope all is well this lovely fall evening. I am looking forward to the next general meeting, it should be a power packed event filled with many ideas to ponder: from Showcase and a pleasant program with slides from our members and a slab demonstration from Ellen Currans.

EUGENE COMMITTEE: The OPA Committee in Eugene (Local Clay) has decided to break away from OPA and become their own organization. They have been running their show, ClayFest, as a separate legal entity, and they now feel it is time for their entire organization to be separate. They will continue to keep in close communication with OPA, and they plan to share at least one board member with OPA. This break will occur as of January 1, 2002, and until then they will continue to be named on the OPA insurance policy (isn’t it strange how these decisions are made because we all need to run our organizations as easily as we can, but when we put these decisions into practice, it all comes down to who is "named insured" and when they are…)

DON, MADDY & COREY SPRAGUE wrote to say "Thank You" for the OPA’s contribution in memory of Evan Sprague. A memorial scholarship to Central Catholic High School will be created in his name.

CLAYFEST was last weekend at the Eugene Fairgrounds. The show looked great, ran smoothly and we all had a great time. The publicity was good, the poster and postcard looked great, and everyone did a great job. Despite the chaotic world events, we did sell some pots. The end-of-show, uncorrected sales totals were about $31,000 on Saturday and $17,000 on Sunday, for a total of about $48,000. This was down about $6000 from last year. Since all retail sales are down, this was not too bad!

The gallery looked good, and the Potters Choice/Best of Show was Tea Duong’s "Wessel," Best Beyond Functional was Mary Hindman’s "Sentinels," Best Functional was Tom Rohr’s "1,2,3,4 Pints."

NEWSLETTER EDITOR’S NEW COMPUTER: Thank you to everyone who voted to purchase the Newsletter Editor a new computer. I have typed a portion of this newsletter on it, and it has some great new layout options. Unfortunately, my knowledge of these options is rudimentary, so this newsletter looks kinda like the old newsletters! I will spend more time learning how to use my new software, but the Showcase application deadline is looming and I guess I need to get this in the mail. So far, I am under budget. The members voted a budget of $2500, and it looks like my total spending for the computer, software, and scanner will be more like $1800.

CERAMIC SHOWCASE: Our annual show will be May 3-5 at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. The application deadline is November 15. The information and application materials are included in a separate packet which is folded into this newsletter and mailed to all OPA members. The Showcase packet is not mailed to non-members who subscribe to the newsletter. If you need a Showcase packet and did not receive it, call your newsletter editor now! 503-231-2810

STUDIO SALE GUIDES: The Holiday Studio Sale Guides will be available at the November OPA meeting. If you cannot pick them up there, please make arrangements with Cyra DuQuella. Typically, any which are not picked up are divided between Cyra’s house, Janet Buskirk’s house and Stark Street Studio. People may contact those people if they have not otherwise dealt with their guides

RICHARD NOTKIN WORKSHOP: Known for his intricate teapots which are based on Yixing and explore political views, he should give an incredible workshop. Nov 3-4, $75, Lewis & Clark College. Mail a check to Ceramics Dept, Lewis & Clark College, 0615 SW Palatine Hill Rd, Portland OR 97219. There will be a FREE RICHARD NOTKIN SLIDE SHOW Nov 2, 7pm, at Miller 105 at Lewis & Clark. Questions? Call Ted Vogel, 503-768-7398

NCECA CONFERENCE will be March 13-16, 2002 in Kansas City, MO. The conference will be at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center (816-421-1234) and the Westin Crown Center (816-474-4400), room rate are about $120/night. Conference cost is $170. The 2003 conference will be March 12-15 in San Diego

NILS LOU wrote an interesting Comment article about the value of play in your studio, Oct 2001 Ceramics Monthly

THOMAS ROHR was featured in the Gallery section in Clay Times Sept/Oct 2001

CHRIS GUM had a nice photo of a platter in the Oct. 2001 Ceramics Monthly

TERRY MOEN, BOB LOGUE, RON MANN & LOREN (oops, I forgot his last name. He teaches at Multnomah Art Center) won the First Annual Georgie’s Customer Appreciation Golf Tournament on Sept 28. Congratulations!

JIM KOUDELKA has a show in October at Fifth Element Gallery, 404 NW 10th in Portland

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Ceramics 2002," deadline Nov 1, show Jan 28-March 1, for artists who have no gallery representation and have not exhibited widely, work cannot exceed 15x15x15", $10 jury fee for 3 slides, send SASE to Ceramics 2002, Laura A Sprague Gallery, Fine Art Dept, Joliet Junior College, Joliet IL 60431

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Woodfired ceramic exhibition, curated by Richard Rowland in Astoria. Jan-Feb 2002. Looking for clay artists who are firing in Anagama-style kilns. If you have a lot of anagama experience, please get in touch with Richard, or send 2 to 3 slides or photos to Clatsop Community College Art Department, attn Ceramics, 1653 Jerome Ave, Astoria OR 97103. Questions? Call Richard at CCC art department or at home, 503-325-0184

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "The Vase," deadline Dec 15, show March 1-April 13, functional or sculptural vases, $10 jury fee for 3 slides, send SASE to Pewabic Pottery, 10125 E Jefferson, Detroit MI 48214, 313-822-0954

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Utilitarian Ceramic National," deadline Nov 23, show Feb 4-28, juried by Ron Meyers, $25 entry fee, contact Dennis Sipiorski, Nicholls State University Dept of Art, PO Box 2025, Thibodaux LA 70310, 985-448-4597, art-cld@nicholls.edu

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Viewpoint: Ceramics 2002," deadline Nov 8, show Jan 28-Feb 14, $20 jury fee for 3 slides, contact Grossmont College Hyde Art Gallery, 8800 Grossmont College Dr, El Cajon CA 92020, 619-644-7299

RESOURCE LISTING: The Washington State Arts Commission sends their monthly eNEWS with up to date info on grants and other resources. Send email to MichelleZ@arts.wa.gov.

LA QUINTA ARTS FESTIVAL: Deadline Oct 30, show March 14-17, $30 jury fee, $180 booth fee + 20% of sales, La Quinta Arts Foundation, PO Box 777, La Quinta CA 92253, 760-564-1244

CHERRY CREEK ARTS FESTIVAL: Deadline Dec 10 (Booths are cheaper if postmarked before Nov 10), show July 5-7, $35 jury fee, booths $550-700, PO Box 6265, Denver CO 80206, 303-377-9035, www.cherryarts.org

SAN FRANCISCO INTERNATIONAL GIFT FAIR: Feb 2-6 and Aug 3-7, contact George Little Management, 10 Bank St, White Plains NY 10606-1954, 914-421-3370, www.sfigf.com

Sales Amount: # of Artists:

$0-500 8

$501-1000 13

-1500 23

-2000 20

-2500 23

-3000 11

-4000 20

-5000 16

-6000 12

-7000 6

-8000 3

-9000 1

-10,000 2

10,000+ 3

Their average sales per artist were $3029. An interesting thing they do is have is a cap on the commission. You pay a commission for your first $5000 in sales, above that you pay no additional commission. I do not know what their booth fee is. It must be higher than ours.

CERAMIC CORRESPONDENCE INSTITUTE: The American Ceramic Society has Correspondence Courses in Glaze Technology, Refractory Technology, and a variety of more industry-oriented courses. They offer an Occupational Certificate. Contact them at 614-794-5817, www.ceramics.org/cci

CERAMIC FIBER: Refractory Ceramic Fiber (RCF) has, since the 1980s, been linked to various health problems. Among these are mesothelioma, a rare cancer typically caused by asbestos. RCF has been listed as a carcinogen by the EPA, the International Agency on Research in Cancer and the National Toxicology Program. In 2000, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) strengthened their air quality standard for RCF to 0.2 fiber/cubic centimeter (asbestos is 0.1 f/cc). Soon after this, the ACGIH was served with a temporary restraining order preventing them from publishing the new standard. This was the result of a lawsuit being filed against them by the Refractory Ceramic Fibers Coalition, an industry group who wanted a higher, less protective limit. The suit has now been settled, but ACGIH continues to defend itsself against other suits from industry. If you want more info on ACGIH (or to contribute to this valuable group's legal defense fund), check www.acgih.org. (summarized from ACTS FACTS, September 2001, www.caseweb.com/ACTS

CERAMIC INK JET PRINTING: An article in the Sept 2001 Ceramic Industry is about the new ink-jet printers which can take your scanned images and print them out onto tile. Yes, this machine can only print onto flat tile. No, you cannot just buy a ceramic ink cartridge for your $99 ink jet printer from Costco. But that day may not be so far away! This printer is made by Ferro and uses four ink color which combine to make "an unlimited number" of colors.

CODA SURVEY: CODA (Craft Organization Directors Association) did an economic impact survey last year. They discovered that crafts are an "invisible industry," bringing in more revenue than fuel oil & coal, fruit & tree nuts, taxicabs, potatoes, tobacco or peanuts! Our economic impact is estimated at $13.8 billion. The typical craftsperson is Caucasian, female, works alone in her studio on residential property, and is a member of a craft organization. 60% of gross annual sales are from the makers’ home state. Clay income averaged $60,704 in total annual sales ($29,008 income). Income is derived as follows:

52.87% direct retail

27.03% wholesale in US

11.27% consignment to galleries

8.36% other

0.47% wholesale, export/international

"Direct retail" sales break down as:

51.80% craft fairs

27.09% from the studio

14.80% commissions

6.31% other sources

For a copy of the 70-page CODA survey, send $25 to Linda Van Trump, Chair & Managing Director, CODA, PO Box 59, ONIA, AR 72663, lvt.coda@mvtel.net

TRANSFER PRINTING ONTO CLAY: An article in the Sept/Oct issue of Ceramic Review is about a water-based process to make ceramic decals and transfer the decals onto pots. This process, while quite common in commercial ceramic production, usually uses extremely toxic chemicals. The author, Kevin Petrie, has developed a system using water based chemicals which do not stink and can be easily cleaned up. Read the article or buy a how-to CD from him. His email is kevin.petrie@virgin.net

PRECIOUS METAL CLAYS are featured in an article in Pottery Production Practices Sept 2001. Precious Metal Clays are actual gold or silver particles which are combined with a binder to make a clay, a slip-like paste, a thinner paste (for use in a syringe), or a thin vinyl-like sheet. The PMC clay may be sculpted and fired to make a very pure metal piece. The pastes can be applied like a slip to the exterior of a piece, then fired. The sheets may be cut up an d applied to the clay, then fired on. PMC costs $1 to $2 per gram. The clay the author used shrinks 12%, although some types shrink more. For more info, check PMC Connection, 212-947-6879, www.pmcconnection.com, www.silverclay.com, Art Clay USA 310-381-0100, www.artclayworld.com

SLAB ROLLERS: Are you thinking of buying a slab roller? They are reviewed in the Special Potters Guide Issue of Pottery Making Illustrated 2001-2002. The review compares cost, features, size, and other information. It is very informative, but unfortunately it does not actually say which slab rollers were liked or disliked by the reviewers. The same magazine listed ceramic educational facilities and materials suppliers throughout the country.

GEORGE E. OHR MUSEUM: If you have a sense of humor and you have never seen the work of George Ohr, you have missed out. The Ohr-O’Keefe (the O’Keefe part is a benefactor, not the artist) Museum is scheduled to open in 2004 in Biloxi, Mississippi. This will probably be the first museum in the country dedicated to just one potter. This will, I assume, be separate from the current George Ohr museum in Biloxi, which actually contains very little of his work, but houses various traveling exhibits. Frank O. Gehry, the architect who designed the Guggenheim in Bilbao, Spain, is designing the new museum. (information from the Nov 2001 Crafts Report)

THE LOG BOOK is an international newsletter for woodfirers and those interested in woodfired ceramics. It is quarterly, $25 per year, includes air mail postage. Send check or VISA/Mastercard details with your name & address to The Log Book, PO Box 612, Scariff, Co. Clare, Republic of Ireland. http://homepage.eircom.net/~thelogbook/

GERSTLEY BORATE (the ongoing saga): Have you temporarily given up on replacing Gerstley Borate in your glaze? Were you almost done formulating your new glaze pallette when they gleaned the last bit from the mine? If you are still working on it, there is a great article in Oct 2001 Ceramics Monthly by Jeff Zamek. It is about replacing Gerstley Borate in a cone 6 Floating Blue glaze, and it discusses how each Gerstley substitute worked in glaze suspension, glaze application and fired color. There is also a chemical analysis of each possible substitute. Even if you just bought 500 pounds of Gerstley Borate and do not anticipate running out until 2012, you might want to keep a file copy of this article.

FOR SALE: Custom display table W shelf & storage on heavy duty casters, folds flat for easy transportation, $65, 503-331-8542 (Portland)

FOR SALE: Cement blocks, 8x8x16", 30 of them, cheap. Building a car kiln? I have welded frame for car, would hold 4 12x24" shelves, welded floor track & heavy duty V-wheels, cheap! Geoffrey Pagen, Reed College, 503-771-1112 x7279 (Portland)

FOR SALE: Duncan Kiln, 23x29" (same size as Skutt 1027), $500 obo. Display grids, 4x4’ and 4x6’, black, $5 for both (these hang from the poles on your booth and are good for displaying wall pieces or platters). Mason stains: 5 lbs turq blue 6364, $15; variety of small amounts of other stains, great for testing, FREE. Sturdy work table, 100"x14.5"x35" (height), ware shelves galore, made to screw into wall with removable shelves (call for dimensions). Marilyn, 503-234-5020 (Portland)

FOR SALE: Very used big Crusader Kiln, $100 obo. Large ball mill jar, $50, 541-466-5635 (Eugene area)

STUDIO TO SHARE: in North Portland, basement studio with electric kiln & wheel, $125/month, Beth Mills, 503-331-1676

POTTER SEEKS WORK: Recent College Grad (Grinnell Coll. In Iowa) moved to Portland, looking for work as apprentice, studio assistant, odd jobs in clay. Experience in throwing, handbuilding, wood firing. Interested in any & all processes. Will work for studio/materials trade or small fee. Live in NE Portland, will travel in greater PDX area, Lots of energy & passion for clay. Mattie Johnson 503-460-2601

POTTER SEEKS WORK: I am looking for an apprenticeship. I have worked in clay for 7 years and just moved to Eugene. Nicole, 541-520-8071, nikki_bessette42@hotmail.com

Anna Carpentieri & Kathe Mullen, 9235 N Edison St. Portland Or 97203 503-247-3187, clayworksnw@aol.com

Judy Alison 1210 W 5^th Ave Eugene,OR 97402 541-684-9748, judyalison@hotmail.com

Liz Weldon 3915 NE 16th St Portland OR 97212 503-281-7417, eweldon@ralstonarch.com

Phebe Miller 6366 NE Marina Ct. Hillsboro OR 97124 503-846-1358, finnist@yahoo.com

Victoria Tanner 36496 NW Uebel Rd North Plains, OR 97133 503-647-2392,

Carolyn Forbes 13473 SW Chelsea Loop Tigard, OR 97223 503-639-3560 fourforbes@aol.com

Brad Mildrexler 388 SE 44^th Portland, OR 97215 503-234-1853

JoAnn Patrick-Findley 213 SE Garfield St Camas,WA 98607

Marylyn Holland 3516 Alkali Dr Kihei, HI 96753

Ken Pincus 14754 NW Ash St Portland, OR 97231 503-285-4784

Kristin Weigert-Yount 2337 SE Brooklyn Portland, OR 97202 503-231-5752

November 9: OPA Meeting

November 13: Showcase Steering Committee Mtng

November 15: Showcase Application Deadline

December 3: OPA Board Meeting

December 10: Newsletter Deadline

This has led to the Steering Committee re-opening the discussion about show expansion. If we rented the exhibit hall next door, we would double our floor space (all of the exhibit halls are the same size. Currently we rent one. We can rent two, but there is no way to rent an "in between" sized space). The extra hall would be an extra $10,000-12,000. It has been suggested that maybe the time has come to start charging admission to help defray these costs. Charging admission for the show would incur a further $5000 in costs (we have to use the Convention Center’s ticket office, and this costs $$). The admission fee has been hotly debated at Steering Committee meetings, and if the Steering Committee becomes more interested in this, the membership will be consulted. A suggestion has been made that we take an exit poll of customers in 2002, and ask them how they feel. It has been pointed out that customers might stay longer if the show was less crowded.

Another comment about last year’s lines: The bank credit card processing center had a computer failure which lasted throughout Showcase weekend and made the machines move at a snail’s pace. We hope that a huge part of the line problem will be solved without us changing any floor plan.

In the meantime, a number of interesting ideas have been proposed. One is to move the demonstration area to near the sales or hold table, and to not have demonstrations during the "long line" times, but to add more sales tables for a few hours. This could also allow people to watch demonstrations while in line… If you have any great ideas, please call your Show Chair (Mark Heimann) or Building Committee Chairs (Sam Sloan & Farshad Barman), or come to a Steering Committee meeting. You can also request that meeting minutes be emailed to you. The floor plan will be discussed extensively at the next two Steering Committee meetings, so if you have a strong opinion, this is your chance to voice it!

The Steering Committee has also become concerned about our show meeting expenses. We try to always keep enough money in the bank to pay expenses for Showcase for one year. In 2001, our income climbed dramatically, but our expenses climbed even more dramatically. This leaves us without a comfort zone, it also leaves us with no capitol for growth.

BOOTH FEES AND COMMISSIONS: The Steering Committee continues to examine the controversial "commission vs. booth fee" debate. People who make a lot of money at Showcase have been known to complain that they pay too much of the show’s expenses. At times, we have considered raising the booth fee dramatically and lowering the commission. This has, of course, worried the people who do not make so much money at Showcase. Various suggestions are floating around… we could charge a higher booth fee, but charge no commission on the first $200 in sales and/or charge no commission (or a smaller one?) on sales after the first $6000 (thus taxing the middle class!). The Steering Committee is looking into forming two subcommittees. One would look into the 2002 fee structure, looking at all possible scenarios that would keep the show going financially and be most fair to members. This committee should consist of representatives from each income group at Showcase. The other committee would be more a goal-setting committee. They would look into our overall philosophy, vision, objectives, and actions that should occur. Ellen Currans, Cynthia Spencer and Chuck Liebert have volunteered to serve on this committee.

As we all know, making decisions that involve everyone’s finances can be very divisive. Please keep in mind that we must make the commission/booth fee decisions based on what is best for all 490 OPA members. Remember that we originally were the Potters’ Co-op. We need to keep the "cooperation" in our group, even when we discuss money.

Funny how rumors are, necessitating spin doctoring. All talk of expansion in 2002 is just that – talk. YES, the Steering Committee voted to make the 2002 commission rate for booth participants 17% and the rate for Gallery Only participants 27%. That’s still at a level lower than the 2000 rate.

NO, we have not raised the booth fee. Discussions are ongoing, exact dollar figures are not determined. What we are trying to achieve is a blend of realistic booth fees and commission rates that treats both low and high income potters fairly. It’s a tough assignment! ALL input is welcome – we do NOT make decisions affecting Showcase in a void or behind closed doors. On the contrary, we wish you would attend meetings and help us with the show!

All recent discussions of fee increases, exhibit hall expansions, admission charges and the like have generated from our bottom line. 2001 was perilously close to losing money. Showcase is a business, folks. We can’t operate in a vacuum. Our rent has increased, so have many other expenses (consider the near-doubling of electrical rates, as one example). Consequently our need for more income increases. If we want to play, we have to pay.

Our next OPA general meeting, November 9, will start at 6:15 with the Showcase segment – several of our dedicated Steering Committee members will be presenting facts and figures that reflect our current reality. Please come and listen with open minds and creative spirits. OPA President Sandy Brown has generously allotted us one hour - we hope to have some time to hear Your ideas for maintaining a quality show, new and innovative layouts and marketing strategies, and clear visions of possible Showcase futures.

Thanks for your positive attitude.

Mark Heimann, markmann@teleport.com

p.s. Additional thanks to those of you who take time to write us about your concerns.