6:30pm: Showcase Information Meeting: Bring your questions about Showcase expansion, find out what all of the new projects are all about.

7pm: OPA General Meeting: If you have items for the agenda, email them in advance to Michael Fromme, michaelfromme@msn.com. Bring items for the swap table and snacks to share. Pick up your OPA Studio Sale Guides.

7:30pm: Program: "Canadian Clay- Schools of Thought" presented by this year's Showcase winner, Kathryn Finnerty. Kathryn will show slides of work of teachers and students from different Canadian art schools and university clay programs, including the one she went through. This will be an excellent opportunity to see work by our northern neighbors, both potters and ceramic sculptors, and benefit from Kathryn's insight into the pedagogy and philosophies.

January 9th's program will feature Jim Robinson and David Waln sharing their copious knowledge and enthusiasm for glaze and clay science. We are wishing to videotape that event and have the video Available for member loans and educational purposes. Does anyone know of videographers who might want to take on such a project? Student and professional inquiries welcome. Please contact Laurie, childers@peak.org with leads.

"Because of being non-profit, there is a great deal of prep work that will have to occur.  Those committee chairs who interact with sponsors will be provided with materials detailing information and procedures needed to communicate with sponsors.  The materials are being developed over the next few weeks and will be available soon.

"I would like to thank the following individuals who assisted me in this process.  Ginger Steele for representing OPA as President in our meetings with our new CPA, Mary Merskin-Culshaw;   Artheen Horsley, our professional bookkeeper, for all the history that I learned about previous starts toward non-profit that occurred early in the life of OPA. I, also, thank Artheen for her continuing encouragement and support.  And to Mary Culshaw for her understanding of all the information I provided and putting it onto the forms in a manner acceptable to IRS.  I would like to extend OPA's great big thank you to Ed Sager, CPA for the work he performed for the organization for many, many years.  A final THANK YOU goes to our membership, the heart and soul of OPA, for the vast amount of hours many of us extend on behalf of our community.

Sincerely, Ramona Searle, Treasurer"

The quest for non-profit status was a huge undertaking, and we should all thank Ramona Searle for the hours she put into it.

A few other things about our new non-profit status: we are supposed to mention it in printed material. We also are now going to give receipts for any items that are donated to us, but the people donating them must remember to give us a statement that gives the value of the donation. A number of financial things will change for us, including the way we handle money for Empty Bowls. Probably some new committees will have to be formed…

OPA BOARD POSITIONS FOR 2004: It’s time to start thinking about the new board! Have you been wondering what to do with your spare time? Wanting to make new friends? Here’s your chance! The December newsletter will list all of the board and committee chair positions. If you have not been on the board before, you might want to come to the December board meeting to see what it is all about. Elections will be at the January general meeting.

FOLDING CHAIR & BAG LEFT AT PICNIC: If it is yours, contact Kristen Weigert-Yount (Picnic Chair)

CLAY IN EDUCATION: The OPA Clay in Education fund pays for up to 10 hours of teaching clay in a program that would otherwise have no access to clay arts (ie: community centers, after school programs, senior centers, etc). This does not generally include scholls during regular school hours (exceptions are sometimes made for districts that have no art whatsoever). Clay in Education has been fortunate this year to have received extra contributions. As a result we have some funds remaining that need to be used before the end of the year. To apply for a grant or for more info, contact Nancy Hart, or Chris Gum.4

CERAMICS MONTHLY wrote a nice article about Showcase. It had some very nice photos of work by various OPA members, as well as quotes from each person. It was in the October 2003 issue, and was written by Renee Fairchild, the editor who came to Showcase.

OPA STUDIO SALE GUIDES will be available at the Nov. 14 OPA meeting. If you need to pick some up but cannot get to the meeting, contact Cyra DuQuella.

LOCAL CLAY/ CLAYFEST

The Gallery voting resulted in Nancy Y. Adams receiving Best in Show, with Joe Davis and Pete Meyer garnering second and third respectively.

The Steering Committee put in many volunteer hours to make this show the best so far, and they already planning for ClayFest 2004. At this point there are some Trainee positions (Demos, Kids Clay, and Mailing/Distribution) which will be opening up due to the tenure of the current Chair. If you are interested in volunteering your time and talents to help manage the 2004 show you can write information@clayfest.org for more specifics.

FAIRS

SCOTTSDALE ARTS FESTIVAL: deadline Oct 20, show March 12-14, $20 jury fee, $415 booth fee, Scottsdale Center for the Arts, 7380 E 2nd St, Scottsdale AZ 85251, www.scottsdalearts.org.

BELLEVUE ART FESTIVAL: The Bellevue Art Museum is closing its doors. Many people who have participated in the Art Festival have received a letter about this. At this point, the show is in limbo, but it has been scheduled for July 23-25, 2004. 425-519-0742, www.bellevueart.org.

PORTLAND GIFT & ACCESSORIES SHOW: Jan 10-13 at the Convention Center. Booths $200-850, 5x10 to 10x10’, contact George Little Management, 2181 Greenwich St, San Francisco CA 94123, showinfo@weshows.com

BENEFIT FOR PORTLAND PUBLIC SCHOOLS SKYLINE FOUNDATION: Seeking more ceramic artists for 2nd annual show at McMenamin's Imbrie Hall Sat, Dec 6, 11am-6pm. No booth fee, 50% commission for Portland Schools' Skyline Foundation. You can man your sales area or let them do it. They provide all bookkeeping and cashiering. Contact: Becca Gattey 503 240 0707 or email Bzfam@comcast.net

POTTERY NEWS

OREGON CRAFTED: There is a new program called Oregon Crafted. This program is in Lane, Benton, Linn and Lincoln Counties, and its goal is to direct tourists to local art studios and galleries. The program will try to increase the economic impact from tourists who stay a few extra hours in the area and shop for art, eat in restaurants, etc.

The person to contact for more information is Joan Shea, 541-687-8353, ocbe@comcast.net.

CONTEMPORARY CRAFTS HONORS LEADERS IN THE CRAFTS WORLD: On Sept. 20, Contemporary Crafts had their first annual Excellence in Craft ceremony honoring creativity, determination, artistic achievement and support of the craft field. The award winners were:

Emerging Artist: Del Harrow

Artist of the Year: Judy Hill

Lifetime Achievement: Leroy Setziol

Traditional Artist: Eva Castellanoz

Educator of the Year: Sharon Marcus

Ruth Patterson Hart Award: Bullseye Glass

ART TOUR OF CHINA: Patrick Crabb will lead a tour of Marco Polo’s Northern Silk Route, June 15-July 5, 2004. Go to Beijing, Kashgar, Jingdezhen and Shanghai. Visit potteries, silk, temples, museums, etc. 714-564-5613, pscrabb@hotmail.com.

CLAY ART CENTER’S WEBSITE is currently down while they make some improvements. Until it is back, you can contact them the old fashioned way at 800-952-8030

FIRE DESTROYS HIROSHI OGAWA’S STUDIO: On Oct 9, Hiroshi’s studio and showroom were destroyed by fire. A group of potters were visiting him and were loading his Hikarigama kiln when the fire, believed to be caused by faulty electrical wiring, broke out. He lost his studio, gallery and all of his finished wares. The house and the wood kiln and its shed were not damaged. Hiroshi, his wife and two children support themselves entirely from the pottery income. Many other potters in this community have benefited from Hiroshi’s generosity with his kiln and his firing expertise. Now is a great time to give back. A bank account has been set up to accept donations for Hiroshi, and work parties have already begun clearing the debris and preparing to rebuild. If you would like to donate money, please send checks marked "For Hiroshi Ogawa" to US Bank, PO Box 5, Drain OR 97435 (the street address that was emailed to some members is not the mailing address for this bank!). You can also take your check to your local US Bank, ask them to put it in the account that was set up in Hiroshi’s name on October 14, 2003, or have them call the Drain branch, (541) 836-2121, for the account number. Your donation is, apparently, tax deductible. Local Clay member Don Clarke is passing along information about further work parties at Hiroshi’s- you can contact him at ddclarke@efn.org, . The White Lotus Gallery in Eugene is also planning some kind of benefit show for Hiroshi. Contact Don for more details about that.

DO YOU WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF A SPECIAL OREGON TAX DEDUCTION and promote your business at the same time? If so, read this article written by our accountant, Mary Merskin-Culshaw:

Oregon tax law allows an additional subtraction from Oregon taxable income to artists who contribute their own works of art to a recognized charitable organization or governmental unit. This is a deduction that is not allowed for federal purposes, only on your Oregon State tax return.

For federal purposes, if you were to donate your work of art to a charitable organization, only the costs associated with making the art is deductible, not the actual amount you could sell the item for. However, Oregon allows the full fair market value (or value you could sell the piece for) as an added subtraction from your Oregon taxable income. This provides you with an opportunity to not only get an extra deduction, but also to help the community, and help promote your business. You may deduct your contribution even if the charitable organization sells the art.

What qualifies as a "work of art?" The art object must be a: painting; sculpture; photograph; graphic or craft art; industrial design; costume or fashion design; tape, sound recording or film.

How much is the Subtraction? The subtraction is equal to the difference between the fair market value and the amount actually allowable as an itemized deduction under federal tax law.

Can I take the deduction if I do not itemize my deductions? No, you must itemize your deductions on your Oregon return to claim this subtraction.

Are there any other limitations? Yes, there are limits relating to the amount of charitable contributions that may be taken in any one year. Any amount not allowed in one year, may be carried forward to future years. A qualified tax preparer can help you with these calculations.

For further information on this or any other tax topic, feel free to contact Mary L. Culshaw, CPA/PFS, CFP of Napier and Company CPA’s in Portland, Oregon. Mary is versed in the tax law for artists and small businesses and has helped Leonard DuBoff, a Portland attorney who is known as one of the world’s leading authorities on art law, with a number of his books relating to taxes for arts and crafts people.

NEW REFRACTORY SHEET AVAILABLE: Zircar Refractory Composites has a new refractory sheet, RSLE-57, a low expansion, reinforced silica matrix composite. Designed for use as a high-strength insulator, its very low thermal expansion coefficient and high hot strength combine to give it thermal shock resistance not found in other structural ceramic matrix composite materials (or so the company says). If you are materials buff, you can contact them at (845) 651-2200, or e-mail sales@zrci.com.

GAS KILN REGULATIONS in the City of Portland: OPA member Chris Nielson has had recent (mis)adventures with the City mechanical inspectors. Chris has had a gas kiln in the city of Portland for many years, and he did receive proper permits for it when it was built. He recently decided to make some changes that required official approval. When the gas company and city inspectors saw his kiln shed, they shut off his gas. Their objection was that his shed had wood framing and no fire-resistant material between the wood and the kiln. Currently, the city mechanical inspector is saying he can install a vented hood like those used over restaurant stoves, insulated with a "mineral wrap" (different from ceramic fiber). With that treatment, he may potentially get away with zero clearance from combustible surfaces. Both Chris and your newsletter editor have been on the phone with the city and the gas company, and we have learned many things.

Kiln sheds can be all-metal construction (no combustibles above the kiln), or they must have a vented hood between the kiln and the shed. Chris has learned about these hoods.

The city is changing some of their rules about non-UL listed appliances (this includes most gas kilns and some electric kilns). They are not suggesting that we will be unable to build kilns, but they may require safety shutoff systems for gas kilns (these have not been required for kilns in homes and industry up to now), and they are cracking down on kiln shed requirements including venting and distance from combustibles. Your newsletter editor has been on the phone with them, I do not yet have all of the information but my understanding is that the city of Portland’s codes for kilns are generally followed by other communities in the state. The gas company has agreed to fax me all of the available regulations, and I am trying to contact the guy at the city who is the big cheese on this. He is currently off of work due to an injury, so not all questions can be answered yet

NCECA CONFERENCE: The next National Council on Education in Ceramic Art Conference will be in Indianapolis March 17-20, 2004. The hotels are already pretty full. The conference is at the Indiana Convention Center and the Marriott downtown. Hotels are: Marriott, 877-640-7666; Hyatt, 800-233-1234; Courtyard by Marriott, 877-640-7666. Conference registration is due in February, info will be mailed to current members in December. NCECA contact number is 866-266-2322, www.nceca.net. NCECA 2005 will be in Baltimore.

CANADIAN CLAY SYMPOSIUM: Are you planning a trip north next spring? The Symposium is on March 20, it features Louise Card, Linda Christianson, Paul Greenhalgh, Anne Hirondelle, Tam Irving, Keith Rice-Jones, Walter Ostrom, Carol Mayer, Michael Osborne, and Ichizo Yamashita. You should be able to get more info from the Potters Guild of British Columbia, www.bcpotters.com, 604-669-5645

EQUIPMENT SALE at Clay Art Center in Tacoma: In November they offer 15% off Brent wheels, 10% off Shimpo and Thomas Stuart wheels. Wheels come with splash pan, pottery tool kit, 100# clay and 2 bats. On Nov 15-30 they have 20% off Skutt and Shimpo kilns. They also have pallets of hard brick available. Call them at 253-922-5342.

THE POTTERS COUNCIL is a non-profit organization that formed in 2001 to help potters grow their knowledge and enhance themselves professionally. There are now over 2500 members, and they have held their first regional workshop in LaCrosse, Wisconsin. They have a newsletter, members get discounts on magazines (Ceramics Monthly, Pottery Making Illustrated), discounts on hotel rooms, credit card processing, shipping, etc. Dues are $35/year. Contact them at 614-794-5890, customersrvc@acers.org.

CRAFTS THAT ARE "MADE IN THE USA" was the subject of an article in CraftsReport, Nov 2003. The article was about the problem with imported craft items or items that are made entirely of imported components that are sold as hand-made, made in this country, crafts. It especially addressed items that are sold at craft fairs or by craft retailers. To be labeled "made in the USA," all of virtually all of the components of a piece must be made in this country. If your pieces are made of Southern Ice Porcelain from Australia, glazed with a glaze that is made with ingredients not mined here, your piece is not "made in the USA." It is a federal crime to remove labels that state the country of origin of a piece, and if vendors do this they can be reported to the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission.

COLORS FOR 2004: An article in Fancy Food & Culinary Products described some of the products and colors that will sell the best in the remaining months of 2003. They mentioned tabletop and dinnerware, that it must be functional and well designed and in a broad choice of colors. They especially mentioned all shades of green.

CERAMIC MATERIALS: Tony Hansen, of Digitfire/Insight software fame, is working on a website that will be a library of information about ceramic materials. Are you curious about the properties of a material? Do you want to find something that is similar? Check this website, www.ceramicmaterials.info.

WORSHOPS & LECTURES

ON REITZ will give a lecture at the Jean Vollum Capital Center (Ecotrust building) at 7pm on Thurs, Oct 23 . $8 admission (students $4), sponsored by Contemporary Crafts Gallery, 503-223-2654

BABETTE HARVEY: Nov. 1, 9:30-2:30 at Lower Columbia College, 1600 Maple, Longview, WA. Call 360-442-2510

ELLEN CURRANS: Saturday, Feb. 7, 10am-4pm, at South Medford High School Ceramics lab, 815 S Oakdale, Medford. $35 for Clayfolk members, $45 for others. Contact Alan Lurz, 541-955-1495.

SUSAN THAYER: Beginning China Painting, at Oregon College of Art and Craft, Oct 18 & 20, Sat & Sun (contact them to clarify that date…), $130 + $39 studio fee. Introduction to china painting techniques developed by the instructor. Participants will experiment with china paint and the development of color and image through multiple firings. For info call 503.297.5544.

MOLDMAKING at Georgies in Portland, Sat, Sept 20 or Nov 1, $125, learn to make a 2-piece plaster mold from your original with a master moldmaker. Contact Georgies at 503-283-1353, www.georgies.com.

JIM KOUDELKA: "Making Complex Sculptural Work," Sat, Nov 22, 9am-5pm, $35 for OPA members & students, $45 for others. In conjunction with his show at Fifth Element Gallery, he will demonstrate and discuss his casting techniques and share his insight into his glazes & surface decoration. Lewis & Clark College Ceramics Studio. For info call Ted Vogel at 503-768-7398 or email him at vogel@lclark.edu

DON SPRAGUE & PAT HORSLEY: "Northwest Masters," June 18-20 2004, slides on Friday, workshop Sat/Sun

JIM GUSSELIN & JOE BRECHA: "Advanced Raku," includes throwing, construction, raku & terra sig techniques, June 25-26, 2004.

PETER KING: "Architectural Ceramics," July 9-11

JOHN HARRIS & JOE BRECHA: "Get off Your Wheel," alternative forming methods including slab roller, extruder & hand forming. Date TBA.

A few other workshops that may be in the works: Will Ruggells & Doug Rankin at Mt Hood Community College in January. Tom Coleman, possibly summer of 2004, maybe later in next school year. Josh DeWeese, possibly Oct 2004. Suse Lindsay, sometime in 2005. Matt Metz & Linda Sakora possibly Oct 2005 (All of the previous workshops were sent in by Ted Vogel, OPA Workshop Chair. They will likely be at Lewis Clark College in Portland). Clay Art Center in Tacoma will probably have Randy Brodnax coming in May.

MEMBERS’ NEWS

RHUE BRUGGEMAN, STEPHEN MICKEY and Kirk Mangus are in "For the Love of Fire" at Fifth Element Gallery, 404 NW 10th in Portland, through Nov 1.

BABETTE HARVEY and Aki Sogabe are having an exhibition at the Art Gallery at Lower Columbia College, 1600 Maple, Longview, WA. Opens Tues, Oct 28, 4-7pm. Through Nov 20. Gallery hours: Mon-Tues, 10-4; Wed-Thurs, 10-8. 360-442-2510

Heidi Preuss Grew, Doug Dacar, Kristin Kuhns, Kay Worthington, Deb Stabley , Recycled Works, Emily Stuart, Mark Clarke, William Skrips, Martha Kimball, Layne Young, Patty Maly, Heather Pittenger, Gene Feux, Thomas Rude, Paula Portinga Booth, Corrie Loomis Dietz, Chris Giffin, Kim Murton,and Bonnie Hull will be in a mask show at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, 335 State Street, Salem, 503-581-3229. Show dates: Sept 30 –Nov 1.

JACK WALSH had an exhibit at the Fine Art Gallery at Linfield College in McMinnville through the month of September

JOANNA BLOOM will have a show of New Work at Contemporary Crafts Museum & Gallery, 3934 SW Corbett in Portland, Nov 15-Jan 11.

JIM KOUDELKA’s exhibit "Carnival: Playful Porcelain Pots" will be at Fifth Element Gallery, 404 NW 10th in Portland, Nov 6-29, opening Thurs, Nov 6, 6-9pm. Jim also had a photo of a piece in the most recent issue of Clay Times.

JANET BUSKIRK is having a show at Hoffman Gallery at Oregon College of Art & Craft, opening Nov 2.

SUSAN WHITHAM has a "Filigree Box" in the Clearly Black and White show at Tierra Salida Gallery in Santa Barbara, CA in October. She also has a piece called "Offerings" in the Works of Faith show at First Presbyterian Church through October, and a piece in the invitational Celebracion show at Texas Tech in Lubbock, TX. Susan also has a artist’s reception at Kell’s banquet facilities at 112 SW 2^nd (2^nd floor) in Portland on Nov 23^rd, noon-4pm, RSVP to Susan if you plan to attend, 503-289-0516

VICTORIA CHRISTEN had a one woman show at Fifth Element Gallery in September.

LAURIE CHILDERS will return to Cuba on Nov 15 for 3 weeks to attend "Todo Ceramica 2003" in Nueva Gerona. If you would like to send slides with her to this conference, see info in "Opportunities" section

AMY SWANSON is having a solo exhibit at Stark Street Studios & Gallery at 2809 SE Stark St. from Oct 30th - Nov 19th. She will be showing woodfired ceramic sculpture from the Jewel Creek anagama (visit the kiln's new website at www.jewelcreekanagama.com

CYNTHIA SPENCER will be in "South 90", a show of Corvallis artists at Waterstone Gallery in the Portland Pearl District, opening reception Nov. First Thursday. She will also be in a 5-Person Sculpture Show in November at Western Oregon University's Campbell Hall Art Gallery.

THE POTTERS OF HIROSHI OGAWA’S HIKARIGAMA kiln will have a show at Phoenix Rising Gallery the month of November. The show will feature woodfire pots from Hiroshi’s kiln. Opening reception Sunday November 2^nd, 2-4pm.  Oregon potters include Hiroshi Ogawa, Jack Walsh, Terry Inokuma, Natalie Warrens, Barb Campbell and Washington potters John Harris and Chris Knapp. Friends of Hiroshi’s should be aware of the fire that occurred in his studio. Please read the info under "Pottery News."  

DANIEL STEVENS was featured at the Western Legends Round-Up and Cowboy Poet Competition in Kanab Utah on August 22-23, 2003. He gave a workshop on pioneer pottery and turned jugs on the wagon wheel.

GIL HARRISON curated "Major Works in Clay: 12 Artists" at the Karin Clarke Gallery in Eugene, Sept 16-Oct 18. Featured were Gina Freuen, Dan & Laurie Henning, and Mark Heimann, Patrick Horsley, Jim Koudelka, Leslie Lee, Katy McFadden, Dennis Meiners, James Robinson, Lyn Sedlak Ford, Victoria Shaw, and Gil.

MEMBERSHIP IN THE OPA, a 501(c)(3) organization, is open to any serious studio potter living in Oregon or southwest Washington. There is no jurying for membership, which costs $40 per calendar year. Membership is not pro-rated, it is Jan-Dec, although you may join at any time. Membership includes 6 newsletters per year, 6 meetings per year, and the opportunity to apply for Ceramic Showcase. If you live over 100 miles from Portland and do not plan to use other membership benefits, you may subscribe to the newsletter only for $10/year. Please send a check, name, address, email and phone number(s) to Mary Orcutt, 131 Schilling Rd, Lyle WA 98635

OTHER EXHIBITS OF INTEREST

6^TH ANNUAL INVITATIONAL CUP SHOW at Fifth Element Gallery, opens Thurs Dec 3, 404 NW 10^th Ave, suite 1, Portland OR 97209, or view at www.fifthelement.org

SHAMELESS ADVERTISING

FOR SALE: Skutt electric kiln, 1227 with furniture, kiln sitter, and eniro-vent, unused. At St. Mary's Academy in Portland, contact Steve Colley at 503-228-8306

WANTED: Ceramics related magazines and books for the Clay program at Valley Art Association in Forest Grove. Clean out a few closets and donate those old magazines to this worthy non-profit! Call Vicki, 503-647-2392, timvic2@ipns.com

WANTED: Used motorized Randall kickwheel or 1/2 horse electric wheel in good condition for part-time Portland studio potter. Marcia Carlson, 503-872-7272

FOR SALE: L&L J236 Electric Kiln, rated cone 10, details & pictures available on the internet at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/claystudio/kiln/index.html.  Included: 4 sections, heavy duty elements, kiln sitter, kiln shelves (2 whole, 12 half), dolly.  Almost New condition, over $2500 new, asking $1395.  Contact Jim at studio_sale@comcast.net, 541-715-1749 (weekdays) or 541-231-7561 (evenings).

FOR SALE: Credit Card processing machine, "XL 300," in perfect condition, needs to plug into phone line, easy to use, $75 obo, Deb Shapiro, 503-624-5780 (Portland)

FREE: Electric Kiln, 21x21X20 ˝" high. 2 settings, low & high, may be good for slumped glass or pottery, front loading, kiln furniture. Also free: Electric Kiln, 14x15x16 ˝" high. Connie Spurlock-771-9796.

STUDIO SPACE FOR RENT: 100 sq ft (10X10' room) in larger ceramic studio. Rent includes all utilities, plus access to other parts of studio, and can display and sell work in front showroom. $175/month. Dorothy Steele at 503-309-1359 or E-mail at Steelepots@aol.com (SE Portland)

Oct. 27: Showcase Steering Committee Meeting

Nov. 14: OPA General Meeting

Nov. 15: Showcase Application Deadline

Dec. 4: OPA Board Meeting

Dec. 10: Newsletter Deadline

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