--A cup for the Cup Exchange

--A chair

--A side dish that would be delicious next to salmon

--Your own mess kit (save a plastic fork!)

--Something to drink (OPA supplies coffee and beer)

--A pot or two to smash

--A new member of OPA

--Don’t forget to call Kristen and tell her how many of you eat salmon. You can also call her with your entertainment ideas.

If you live far away and need overnight accommodations, call Kristen and she will try to find you a host.

Would you like to help Kristen and George set up the picnic? They will set up the day before, on Sept 13. This is another great opportunity to get to know a few new people! There is a large covered area, so the picnic will go on rain or shine!

"The picnic is a lot of fun.  Good food.  George gives tractor rides to kids no matter how old.  There's free beer.  It's a fun, relaxing day to socialize with other members.  A great time for new members to get to know everyone." -Julie Asbury, OPA member

NEXT OPA BOARD MEETING: October 6 at 6:30pm at Julie Asbury’s house, take I-5 to the Woodburn exit (#271). Go east on Highway 214 (left turn off the freeway if your headed south, right turn if you headed north) a little more than a mile. Turn left on Boones Ferry Road. Go one long block and turn left on Henry's Blvd. Turn right on Aletha Street. It's the third house on the right.

If you would like to donate pots for 2004, please bring them to OPA general meetings and hand them to Jennie Hasson or Kristen Yount. We now have plenty of storage space and can take donations any time. You can also drive pots to Kristen’s house at 2337 SE Brooklyn in Portland or call her at 503-231-5752 and she might come to your place to get them.

If you donated work to Empty Bowls and need a tax ID #, Kristen can give you that information.

Thanks to all of the hardworking volunteers and people who made pots. Thanks also to Jennie and Kristen, our hardworking Chairpersons.

EMPTY BOWLS in FOREST GROVE: The Valley Art Association has had an Empty Bowls project for the last few years, and usually we give them a number of leftover boxes from the Portland Empty Bowls. Since we sold out of almost everything at the Blues Festival, Kristen thought that she would not do the Valley Art event. But since we have a place and it is such a good cause, she changed her mind. She needs some more bowl donations ASAP, or people can come and man the booth and sell their own work with 25% going to the Food Bank. This will be at the Forest Grove Chalk Art Festival on Sept. 20^th, 9am-3pm (set up at 8am). She will take the first eight people who contact her.

NON-PROFIT STATUS: The OPA’s non profit application has been forwarded from the IRS agent who originally reviewed it to the IRS supervisor with a recommendation that it be approved. If all goes well, it will be approved and we will be non-profit!

OPA FINANCIAL REPORTS: The OPA financial reports appear four times per year in your newsletters. They are occasionally confusing, especially since they include money that goes through our account but is not really "our money." Some examples of this are the percentage of commission from Showcase that is paid to the artists, CERF donations made by members, Holiday Studio Sale Guide money, etc. If you have questions about these, please contact our Treasurers, Ramona Searle and Deborah Bouchette.

JUSTICE CENTER WINDOW DISPLAY: The OPA is responsible for maintaining the large display windows on SW Madison St at the Justice Center in downtown Portland. These are large windows that are very visible to people who commute to and from downtown on the bus. OPA member James DeRosso changes the display in the windows regularly, and he is always looking for new work. Work can be for sale, you make a professional looking sign with contact information and the public contacts you directly. Call James,  james3d@serv.net

LOCAL CLAY & CLAYFEST

CLAYFEST is moving right along, with pieces falling into place. Workshifts have been assigned, committees have been formed and staffed, space assignments went out some time ago. The deadline has passed for anyone dropping out who hopes to get a 100% refund of their fees. Also, the deadlines for sending in graphics to be used in promotional materials have all passed. Several waiting list persons have moved up and received newly vacant spaces, but there are still about 20 names on the list -- we notify new booth recipients as fast as possible.

An update about using cardboard box pedestals: They can be painted with fire-retardant paint, but although fire-retardant latex paint does exist, it is very expensive (anywhere from $45 to $80 per gallon). The colors are also boring. We're still doing some research on this, and will be speaking with the Eugene Fire Marshall about it, hoping for a more lenient guideline -- but at the moment, the outlook is costly. Stand by for bulletins.

CERAMIC SHOWCASE

FROM THE SHOWCASE CHAIR: "The Showcase Steering Committee, with suggestions from the Long Range Planning Committee and OPA members, is working toward manifesting many of the new features of our expanded Showcase. As the committee Chair positions are filled, plans for theme and educational displays will be set in motion. The process of making Showcase happen along with adding new concepts and improving some of the mechanics of the show (like the sales area) is a complicated, yet exciting and creative process. The ideas and energy of our members is what makes this all possible. Come to the Planning meetings with your ideas, the Steering committee meetings with your concerns, or give us a call or email. Thanks" –Natalie Warrens  nw2x@comcast.net

POTTERY NEWS

THE MODERN ZOO is an exhibition space sponsored by the Portland Center for the Advancement of Culture (PCAC). It is a temporary space that they hope will be the precursor of a permanent exhibition location. This summer, this 100,000 sq ft gallery has a massive exhibition featuring over 75 artists in various media. The Modern Zoo is located at Cathedral Park Place, 6635 N Baltimore, under the St.John's Bridge & next to Cathedral Park. Take I-5 North to the Lombard West exit. Drive west on Lombard into downtown St.John's and turn left on Baltimore. The PCAC was established in Sept 2002 as a nonprofit art organization dedicated to supporting local artists and sustaining the cultural economy. PCAC aims to provide regional artists with a permanent neutral space in which they can showcase their work. It will also provide artists with a much-needed resource center to help educate and facilitate the research and creation of art across all disciplines. PCAC founders Bryan Suereth and Gavin Shettler are both art curators. For more information, call the PCAC at 503.913.6884 or visit their website at www.portlandart.org.

WAX RESIST AVAILABLE: Reed Wax recently sent us information about their new wax resist emulsion #22065. They say it is freeze/thaw stable, coats smoothly, dries quickly, and is available in 1, 5 or 55 gallon quantities. Contact Peter Griffin, 781-944-4640. They also have 2 oz samples.

HIGH-TECH KILN SHELVES AT LOW TEMPERATURES: A recent article in Ceramic Industry magazine was about the products made by Saint-Gobain, the maker of Advancer and Crystar kiln shelves. These are the expensive, light weight, thin kiln shelves that many of us love to use in our gas kilns. The article stated that these kiln shelves do not work well at low temperatures, and extended use at low temperatures (below 2000 degrees F) will weaken the shelves and they will not last. The nitride bonded silicon carbide apparently oxidizes at these lower temperatures, and the oxidation damages the shelf structure. Firing to high temperatures does not cause this oxidation. The company is now working on similar high-tech furniture for low temperature applications.

CLAY CALENDARS: The Association of Clay & Glass Artists of California have made a calendar with attractive color pictures of their members’ work. Their 2004 calendars are done and available from them. Contact them at 510-208-2824 or drewhit@earthlink.net.

ART DEADLINE LIST: This is a monthly email newsletter and website with hundreds of announcements about competitions, scholarships, grants, jobs, exhibits, residencies, etc. www.artdeadlineslist.com.

EMAIL INFORMATION FROM OREGON ARTS COMMISSION: The OAC is trying to send more information via email to cut costs. You may also still receive information through normal mail if necessary. To receive their information about public art opportunities, contact Susan Hanf, Oregon Arts Commission, 775 Summer St NE, Salem OR 97301, susan.hanf@state.or.us or check their website, www.oregonartscommission.org.

CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS MUSEUM & GALLERY is the new name of the institution we used to call Contemporary Crafts Gallery. They are trying very hard to revitalize their gallery (and museum…), with more interesting new shows, their ever-changing collections on display, and more. They are also making an effort to get back into their old networking with other crafts organizations. Check out their shows. They are currently in the middle of their fall fundraising drive, and would love your help. 3934 SW Corbett Ave, Portland OR 97201, 503-223-2654, www.contemporarycrafts.org.

KILN EMISSION REGULATION: In May, the EPA has changed their regulations about kiln emissions for industry. The new law does not apply to small potteries or to schools, because they are not large enough to be major sources of pollution. However, local air quality regulations may use the EPA guidelines for reference. Also, the guidelines regulate emissions of chloride, fluorine, arsenic, lead, selenium, mercury, cadmium, cobalt, chromium and manganese. If any of these are present in your raw materials or glazes, they are emitted during your firings. How well is your kiln vented? For further information, read Monona Rossol’s article in ACTS FACTS, July 2003, www.caseweb.com/ACTS.

CLAY TAP & DIE SETS: Bluebird pottery & tool company used to make tap & die sets for potters to make threaded stoppers (you know, tops that can be screwed onto things). A potter in the San Francisco area has been in touch with one of the original owners of Bluebird, and he may make a limited number of these again if enough people want them. If you are interested, contact Gary Holt, garyholt@covad.net, 510-527-4183.

HIGH TEMPERATURE CRYSTALLINE GLAZES, both glossy and matte, are the subject of an article in CeramicsTechnical, #16. It discusses the ratios of different fluxes, the use of titanium, firing cycles, and the shapes of the pots on which crystal glaze is applied.

SELLING WORK ON EBAY: An article in the Sept 2003 Craft Report gave lots of great tips for selling your work on E-Bay. Is this something you have always been curious about? Learn about how to get your work noticed and how to play the game so that people will trust you and find your work.

BIENNIAL EXHIBITIONS OF NORTHWEST ART: Two biennial exhibits are worth seeing this month: the Craft Biennial at Oregon College of Art and Craft’s Hoffman Gallery and the Art Biennial at the Portland Art Museum. Both shows are up through early September.

OPPORTUNITIES

HOLIDAY SEASON STUDIO SALE GUIDES: Do you want to advertise your Holiday Studio Sale? There are two opportunities available. First, the OPA Studio Sale Guide (see the application in this newsletter) with a deadline of Sept 20 and a cost of $25-75 per listing. Second, Georgie’s will publish a guide, send them your names, studio names, dates & location of sale (pretty much the same info as the OPA guide needs), their listing is free, deadline Sept 15, send to Georgie’s (www.georgies.com) Studio Sale Guide, 756 NE Lombard, Portland OR 97211

EXHIBIT SPACE AVAILABLE: St Mary’s Academy would like to display ceramic art from local potters in their display case. Space is free and the work can be for sale (all proceeds go to the artist, apparently). Contact Steve Colley, Ceramics Teacher or Kathy Mitchell Fine Arts department head at St. Mary's Academy. 503-228-8306. or email stevec@stmaryspdx.org.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: Club Mud Juried Exhibit, functional & decorative ceramics, juried from slides, resume & artist statement, $10 jury fee, 30% commission, deadline Oct 3, show Feb/March 2004, contact Maude Kerns Art Center, 1910 E 15^th Ave, Eugene OR 94703, mkart@efn.org, www.mkartcenter.org.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Americana," multi media, Nov 7-28, deadline Oct 3, at Burbank Municipal Gallery, juried from 3 slides, contact Decorative Arts Guild, 2331 Holgate Square, Los Angeles CA 90031, www.daguild.com.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: The Portland Center for the Advancement of Culture (sponsors of the Modern Zoo exhibit) is looking for artists for an 8-week juried exhibition to be held early next year. Location to be announced. Artists must live in Oregon, Washington or Idaho. All visual art mediums welcome. Juried from digital images, photos or slides. $5 jury fee, deadline Aug 31. For application contact PCAC, PO box 6802, Portland OR 97228-6802, Gavin or Bryan, 503-481-7450, 503-335-6979

CALL FOR ENTRIES: 2004 Orton Cone Box Show, juried by Janet Mansfield and Phil Rogers, deadline Feb 20, show will be at NCECA 2004 in March, $30 jury fee, pieces must fit in large Orton Cone box (3x3x6"), although they may be assembled outside of box and become larger. Pieces must be for sale and cannot exceed $150, must be at least 50% fired clay and be available to travel in shows for two years. Entry form will be published in the Noveember Ceramics Monthly or can be downloaded from the Baker University website (maybe www.bakeru.edu?)

CALL FOR ENTRY: Two shows: "Clay Mechanics," deadline Nov 15, show March 2004 at NCECA, show of ceramic work that references mechanical and industrial imagery. "Cup: The Intimate Object," deadline Sept 20, show Nov-Jan. Download prospectus at www.claylink.com.

POTTER SOUGHT to sell tableware at natural food store on Oregon Coast. They have sold pottery by a local potter for years, but he no longer makes pots. Earth tones and colorful tableware, contact Suzy at Mother Nature’s Natural Foods in Manzanita, 503-368-5316

ARTISTS SOUGHT for gallery in Rockaway Beach. Contact Venita Rebsamen, Art at Twin Rocks, 19485 Hwy 101 N, Rockaway Beach OR 97136, vmk@oregoncoast.com.

BOWLS WANTED: Potter needed to make two bowls for foot soaking at a Day Spa. Bowls need to be large, flat bottomed, with a hole in the bottom for a cork, deep enough to hold two feet and have water come to mid-calf. Design can be simple. Marla at marladrgn@aol.com.

GRANTS AVAILABLE: Professional development grants through the Regional Art & Culture Council (RACC) for artists and arts administrators to improve business skills or bring artists to new artistic level. Applications available at www.racc.org, or pick one up at RACC, 222 NW 5^th in Portland. Deadline Sept 15. RACC also now distributes public art information via email and website only. To receive notices, go to www.racc.org/subscribe/pa. If you have no access to a computer, call them at 503-823-4196.

GRANT AVAILABLE: from the Flintridge Foundation, five grants of $25,000 each for artists from OR or WA, deadline Sept 17, www.flintridgefoundation.org, 800-303-2139.

RESIDENCY AVAILABLE at Kohler Company, 2 to 6 month residencies, to develop work in vitreous china, iron, enamel & brass. Stipend, housing, studio & materials provided. Send SASE with 60¢ postage to Art/Industry Coordinator, John Michael Kohler Art Center, 608 New York Ave, box 489, Sheboygan WI 53082, www.jmkac.org.

RESIDENCIES AVAILABLE at Banff Centre. They have residencies that cost the resident a studio fee and work study programs that have a stipend. Dates vary for both. Deadline ongoing. www.banffcentre.ca, PO Box 1020, 107 Tunnel Mountain Dr, Banff, Alberta, Canada, T1L 1H5.

WORKSHOPS LECTURES CONFERENCES CLASSES

RICHEY BELLINGER: Glaze Calculation & Clay Formulation, fall term at PCC Rock Creek, Fridays, 9am-noon. Begins Sept 26. Clay body formulation, engobe development, glaze calculation theory, color in ceramics, glaze flaws, etc. Check the PCC catalogue or contact Richey

BRUCE FINCH: Kiln Building, Sept 12-14 at Applegate House in Yoncalla, OR. Build a woodfire kiln from the ground up. Participants will fire the kiln on a later weekend (date TBA). Camping available, main meals provided. $50. 541-849-3500

MEL JACOBSEN: Potpourri-30 Years of Techniques, learn all kinds of throwing styles, Sept 13-14, $130.

ELLEN SHANKIN: Thrown & Altered Vessels, push, pull, paddle, scrape and alter forms. Oct 18-19, $150.

ROBERT & GAIL PIEPENBURG: Oct 31-Nov 1, $150, throwing, handbuilding and raku, at Seattle Pottery Supply, 206-587-0570, 800-522-1975

SUSAN THAYER: China Painting, an introduction to china painting, Oct 18-20, $130+$39 studio fee, Oregon College of Art & Craft, 8245 SW Barnes Rd, Portland OR 97225, 503-297-5544, www.ocac.edu.

MOLLY PRIER: Magic Fire, several days of making pots and doing pit firing in the San Ildefonso style. At Point Reyes National Seashore in California, Sept 5-12, $435, contact Molly Prier, 415-669-7337, cmprier@hotmail.com.

FAIRS

CHRISTMAS JUBILEE: A new event in Portland, Dec 12-14 at the Oregon Convention Center, $375/booth includes parking & electricity (2^nd booth is cheaper), juried from photos or slides, deadline Aug 31, www.christmasjubilee.com, Paul Henry at 503-221-6376, 503-293-2802

MEMBER NEWS

SAM HOFFMAN, who recently finished his MFA at Kent State, was the author of a two-part article in the March/April and May/June issues of Pottery Making Illustrated. Also take a look at his website at www.samhoffman.com.

TED VOGEL curated a show featuring LISA CONWAY, HEIDI PREUSS GREW, JENNIFER KENWORTH, THOMAS ORR, Joe Batt, Del Harrow, Anne Perrigo and JD Perkin at the Modern Zoo in July

JUDD ALEXANDER, MARGARET GREGG, JIM KOUDELKA, BEN KRUPKA & EMILY SCHROEDER were in the "Teapots & Cups" show at Fifth Element Gallery in July.

MARK HEIMANN is having a show called "Fuel Matters" at the Spiral Gallery, 341 S Broadway in Estacada, through August, Wed-Sat noon-6pm, Sun noon-4pm.

SHAMELESS ADVERTISING

FOR SALE: Alpine Direct Drive electric wheel, older, good condition; $450. Skutt Electric kiln KM1227 with envirovent, practically new, excellent shape, $1600. Two West Coast gas kilns: 16 cu ft and 24 cu ft, both updraft, very good condition, shelves, posts, hoods, exhaust stacks included, ready to rock and roll, $2500 and $3500.  Hively Pottery, ask for Doug. Hively Pottery is now selling clay produced by Clay Art Center, Laguna, Georgies, and Aardvark; best prices in the valley! Chemicals, tools, and equipment also available. (Dallas, Oregon)

FOR SALE: Brent model A electric wheel, 1/3 horse, could be a tabletop wheel, some new parts, $335. Extruder, 4&3/4 inch square tube, similar to Brent system, long handled plunger, easy release die holder, $240. Venco 3" de-airing pugmill, on strong steel cart with casters, good quality, $1550. Charles Rothschild, 503-777-1590, chazro@xprt.net. (Portland)

WANTED: Used slab roller, 24" wide or larger, Mark Cavatorta

BUSINESS FOR SALE: A fast growing, turn-key ceramic giftware business. Has over 70 galleries/ store locations in North America. Will train in custom cast work, decorating, and marketing applications please only serious inquiries

STUDIO FOR RENT: In North Portland, 725 sq ft, converted 2-car garage w/ sink, separate kiln. Shelving & work tables could be left for tenant. Garden & well behaved dogs welcome. $275 + electricity, available Aug 15, Suzy 503-247-7297, snroo@hotmail.com.

HOUSE WITH STUDIO FOR RENT: Close in NE Portland, near Fremont & Vancouver, 2 bedroom, 1 bath, wood floors, full basement, fenced yard. Detached studio with skylight, water, French doors onto garden, pets negotiable. $950/mo

DATES TO REMEMBER:

Sept. 14: OPA Meeting & PICNIC!

Oct. 6: OPA Board Meeting

Oct. 10: Newsletter Deadline

Oct 11-12: ClayFest in Eugene