6pm: New Members Information Session about Showcase. See paragraph on next page.

6:30pm: OPA General Meeting. Contact Anne Stecker, 503-399-0590, annestecker@hotmail.com, to put items on the agenda. Bring items for the swap table, Empty Bowls donations, notices to hang on the room divider, etc. Also bring a potluck dish to share. Two other things will happen at the March 5^th Meeting. We will choose our booths while eating a potluck dinner, and we will have a program.

7pm: Booth Choosing & Potluck. For this, please bring a dish of food to share as well as your own plate and silverware.

7:45pm: Our program, "Canadian Clay- Schools of Thought" will be presented by 2003 Showcase Gallery 1^st Place Winner, Kathryn Finnerty. Kathryn will show slides of the 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. (Alert readers will remember that this was to be November's program, but due to an emergency was postponed. OPA was treated instead to a slide show by Babette Harvey, who was our second place winner last year. Thank you, Babette!) If you have any ideas for future Programs, please call Laurie Childers, 541-757-9025, or Shirl Lipkin, 503-366-5661. The January Program that was cancelled due to ice with David Waln and Jim Robinson will be repeated later in the year.

THANK YOU to Michael Fromme, our 2003 President, for doing such a great job! Welcome to Anne Stecker, our new President

NEXT OPA BOARD MEETING: April 5 at Janet Buskirk’s (4614 SE Salmon in Portland. Between SE Hawthorne and SE Belmont at the corner of SE 46^th). Other board meetings for 2004 will be: June 3 at Jim Sloss’s in Dayton; Aug 3 at Anne Stecker’s in Salem; Oct 4 at Beverly Curtis’s in Gresham; Dec 2 at Victoria Shaw’s in Portland.

NEXT NEWSLETTER DEADLINE: April 10. Send items to Janet Buskirk, 4614 SE Salmon, Portland OR 97215, janetbuskirk@yahoo.com.

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 Peter Meyer, Membership Chair, PO Box 7012, Bend OR 97708. Please send all changes of address, email, etc to the same address or email them to pmeyer@cocc.edu

December 31: Deadline for requests to be reimbursed by OPA or Showcase Treasurers

GROUP BUYS

Victoria Shaw is organizing a group buy of cones, as well as one for cobalt, tin and copper. Please fill out the forms and send them to her by March 10^th. The cones are about half of retail price, and the colorants are the 100 lb price plus 50¢ per pound shipping. The stuff will be delivered to the May OPA General Meeting (after Showcase). Please write separate checks for cones and chemicals. Make them out to the OPA and mail them to V. Shaw, Stark Street Studio, 2809 SE Stark, Portland OR 97214

CHEMICAL BUY

Chemical: Price per pound: Number of pounds: Total price:

Cobalt carbonate $14.50

Copper carbonate $3.50

Tin oxide $7.00

Grand total:

CONE BUY:

Type of Cone (Small Temperature Quantity: Price Total

Regular, Large Self (cone 04, 10, etc): per box: price:

Supporting, etc):

Type of cone (small regular, large self supporting, etc):

Temperature (cone 04, 10, etc):

Number of boxes:

Price per box:

Total price:

Grand total:

Use another piece of paper if you need more space

CERAMIC SHOWCASE 2004

FROM THE SHOWCASE CHAIR: "Thanks to all the people from the Long-Range Planning Committee--especially Cynthia Spencer-- for their vision in creating an exciting show! The Showcase Steering Committee also deserves huge thanks for working hard and piecing together the parts of all the new features at this year's expanded Showcase. And finally, thanks to all committees for their energy and commitment to creating a FABULOUS show!" -Natalie Warrens

SUMMARY OF SHOWCASE CHANGES: Various people sent information about all of the changes that are being made with Showcase. Many people have worked very hard on this year’s show, and it will be better than ever. This summary was compiled from information from our Chair, Natalie Warrens, as well as from the Steering Committee, the Long Range Planning Committee and the Showcase Retreat in January. Currently, there are about 107 full booths and 44 half booths in the show, as well as the Group Booth. That is about 20 more booths than last year.

New amenities for potters at the Show: This year, we will have flowers for sale at wholesale prices for the show artists. There will also be a quiet place for potters to sit and rest as well as a storage area.

Wine tasting: There will be wineries giving tastes (probably for a small fee). This has caused us to need some additional security that we are asking the wineries to pay for.

New sponsorship projects: Grace Sanchez has put together a sponsorship program that will be implemented by Margie Adams. We will be soliciting sponsors for the show to help defray some of the expenses. This may involve having sponsors’ booths at future shows.

New floor plan: This year, the show will be twice as big. This allows us to have wider aisles, benches for seating, some new displays, a larger gallery (30% bigger), more sales tables (shorter lines for customers!) and about twenty more artists’ booths.

New cohesive "look" for the Show: We are trying to unify the look of the signage, logos and written materials. A new committee has been formed to oversee this.

New non-profit postal rates: Since we are a non-profit, we now get less expensive mailing rates for the Showcase poster. The Mailing List Chair is taking the money we saved and buying a 5000-person mailing list of "well healed" people. If you need a copy of the non-profit bulk mail permit, contact Anne Stecker.

Display Critique: We will be asking an art display specialist to walk through the show and critique booth displays. People can tag along and listen if they want to glean some information.

New customer seating: We are adding seating so that customers can rest their weary feet. There will be benches in the wide aisles, more seats by the demonstrations, as well as areas by the food and possibly by the wine.

New display areas: There will be an "Interior" display (Linda Klaus, Chair), a "Garden" display (Rhoda Fleismann, Chair), and a series of "Totems" with different themes (Deborah Shapiro, Chair). There will also be various Educational Kiosks throughout the show featuring photos and information about clay (Tim Havens, Chair)

College booths: We are allowing colleges and Contemporary Crafts Gallery to have booths to promote their clay-related programs to the public.

Expanded hands-on clay areas: We will enlarge the kids clay area, as well as adding an adult clay area with potters wheels for passers-by to try.

Problems with long sales lines: Various options are still being examined to solve the long lines at the sales tables and the problems with getting work from the holding area to the sales area. A few possibilities (these may or may not be implemented!) are to have cashiers at the holding area; to move the holding area to the middle of the sales area; and add more workshift people to assist.

Improved communication with potters: The Steering Committee is hoping to send out more information to participants, including helpful guidelines about how to make a booth look good. The Info Pack will be sent to everyone, including people on the waiting list.

Late applications: The Steering Committee decided that we would accept no late applications for any reason.

Future hopes and dreams: The Visions Committee and the people who attended the Showcase retreat hope that we will eventually lower the commission to 10%, have potters doing fewer workshifts, fill a few local hotels with customers from around the country and get great national recognition.

ENTERTAINMENT at Showcase will be Sweet Thunder, an all female jazz band.

SHOWCASE INFO PACK DEADLINE: March 1 is the deadline for getting information submitted for this year's Showcase Info Packet. There are many changes, and we want all our participants to be informed. All Chairs--Please check text in last year's packet to see if it needs editing, then email updated version to Cynthia Spencer at: cjspencer@cmug.com and/or send via USMail to: 1105 NW 30^th St, Corvallis, OR 97330. Let her know if you need a copy of last year's text.

PLEASE SEND YOUR MAILING LISTS to Beverly Curtis by March 1^st. Remember, this is our best form of advertising for the show. We are looking for all mailing lists for your customers, whether there are three names or three thousand names. She accepts them on disk, on paper or via email. Bj_curtis@excite.com, 935 NW 6^th St, Gresham OR 97030. If you do not collect a mailing list, now is the time to start. Put a notebook out at your next show!

BOXES FOR SHOWCASE: It’s that time of year again! Please begin collecting boxes for Showcase. Everyone needs to bring 25 clean, flattened and bundled boxes to Showcase. We need a variety of sizes including clay box size, liquor or wine box size and produce size boxes. Some larger boxes for bigger pieces are needed also. We’ll let you know more details about delivery as the date gets closer. Questions? Contact Chris Nielsen or Shirl Lipkin

CARDBOARD PEDESTALS: David Fitzpatrick reported that pedestals must be painted with fire retardant paint and any fabric must be treated with a fire retardant as well. There is an additive that can be mixed with your own paint available at Miller and Rodda Paint stores. He will write up booth guidelines for fire retardant issues with specifics on materials to treat your fabrics and paint additives for your pedestals. These will be added to the info packet and will be presented at the March 5th general meeting

DROPPING OUT OF SHOWCASE: You must notify the Registrar, Linda Bourne, by March 1st, 2004 to receive a full refund of fees and deposits. You do not need to notify anyone else. Refunds will be sent after Showcase. Dropping after March 1st will result in NO REFUND. Those people who did not qualify for a booth (because of too few points) and those who missed the deadline for the application but sent money in will be refunded fully.

SHOWCASE COMMITTEES: All committees are up and running according to schedule. All participants in Showcase that will have a booth should have been notified by now as to what committee you are on. If you have not been notified, contact Audrey Graham, Committee Placement Chair.

MAYOR THROW-A-THON: A bit of mudslinging is being planned for Showcase 2004. Several candidates for the Mayor’s race are being invited to compete at throwing the largest pot. This will be on the Demonstration Stage, on Friday night at 5:15. Oregonian columnist Jonathon Nicholas, with his lovely assistant Mark Heimann, will apparently MC the event. Jeanne Henry and Adrianne Stacey will be in charge of this.

BOOTH SELECTION: Choosing booth location will occur Friday, March 5th in order of the points that OPA members have. Those not attending will need a friend to choose booth location for them or the Building Committee will assign one. A map of the show is in this newsletter.

NEW SHOWCASE CHAIR POSITIONS: With the expansion of Showcase, we have added a few new positions. These positions have been filled for by temporary Chairs to take us through Showcase 2004.

Graphics Coordinator: Carol Sutton, Chair. This person coordinates and unifies the look of the signage, logos and other graphics used by the show.

Adult Clay Area: Michael Grubar, Chair. This person coordinates and sets up the new Adult Clay Area (similar to the Kids Clay Area, but more sophisticated)

A CALL FOR ARTWORK, PHOTOS AND INFORMATION FOR THE NEW DISPLAYS: This is a great sales and promotion opportunity for us all. You do not need to have a booth in the show, people who are Gallery-Only can participate in these:

NEW EDUCATION DISPLAYS: Slides and photos are needed for the new Educational Kiosks. We need photos of people working as well as action photos of kilns and processes. Focus on how history affects your work. Send slides, photos or digital images with information about them to Tim Havens, 2944 SE Washington, Portland OR 97214

NEW INTERIOR DISPLAY: The Chair is compiling a list of both Booth and Gallery-Only people who are interested in showing their work in these displays (those who signed the list at the last General Meeting do not need to call again). They will be accepting work from Gallery-Only people during set up, and will be using work from booth participants during the show also, as space allows. Please contact Linda Klaus, 503-668-4336, bklaus@mindspring.com, tell her what type of work you do, how big it is and how it is displayed.

NEW GARDEN DISPLAY: The Garden Display is looking for Garden Art. All Showcase participants are eligible to place a piece or a series of pieces in the Garden Display. If you would like to take advantage of this great opportunity to display your work, send a photo (doesn’t have to be professional!) or slide along with dimensions to Rhoda Fleischman, 25672 Gap Rd, Brownsville OR 97327.

LOBBY DISPLAY: PLATTERS: This display is not new, but it is also a good display opportunity. This year, the Lobby Display will feature platters. Lyn Sedlak-Ford is looking for a few stunning, dramatic platters that can hang on the wall. Please call her if you are interested, sedlakford@mac.com.

NEXT SHOWCASE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: Monday, March 8^th at 6:30pm at Contemporary Crafts, 3934 SW Corbett, Portland, OR.

LOCAL CLAY & CLAYFEST

CLAYFEST planning is steaming along. The show will be Oct 8-10, with set up on Thursday Oct 7. This will be the first year the show is three days long. There are still some openings for Chair positions for this year. These can be seen online at http://www.clayfest.org/chairs.htm, where each position as a job description. As of early January, the Sales, Poster, and Sponsorship Chairs are also open. There is currently discussion about alternative floorplans, including the introduction of "group booth" space (these options can be seen online by visiting their webpage at http://www.efn.org/~clayfest/cf04.htm and following the links).

EMPTY BOWLS

EMPTY BOWLS IN PORTLAND really needs a lot of pots. Empty Bowls will be 4^th of July weekend at the Waterfront Park Blues Festival in Portland, and they are always looking for lots and lots of pots or other art work donations. You can bring donations to any OPA General Meeting, and bowls will be collected at the end of Showcase. You can also take them to the Oregon Food Bank or call the Empty Bowls Co-Chairs. They now have convenient forms that you fill out when you donate pots for your IRS/tax deduction records

Empty Bowls is also looking for photos of bowls, bowl making and the OPA Empty Bowls booth at the Blues Festival. They are also looking for quotes from people about why they do the Empty Bowls event. Send info to Kristin Yount, Kristin@cascadia.net or Jennie Hasson,  jenhasson@yahoo.com.

EMPTY BOWLS IN EUGENE: Empty Bowls in tentatively scheduled for Friday, April 2^nd at the Quakenbush Building. Benefiting Food For Lane County, this Empty Bowls raises over $10,000 each year. The often raise more money in one day than the Portland event raises in three days. Mary Briggs is currently chairing this.

POTTERY NEWS

HEALTH INSURANCE INFO: Don Clarke sent an informative email to Local Clay members regarding health insurance. There are some valuable new options coming in 2004.

"Hopefully you have heard of MSA and HSA accounts ... perhaps not. I'll be brief here and include a couple of links for you to follow if you're interested. Basically the government now allows individuals to put money into special bank accounts (MSA or HSA) and then use this money to pay for medical expenses. The beauty of this type of account is that the money placed in it is tax-deductible and any interest earned is tax-free (and when you get really old you can roll the money into your IRA).

"Those of you that are used to crunching numbers will realize that you are now able to pay for all your medical expenses (including premiums) with "pre" tax dollars - which means that you will be saving money equal to whatever tax rate you are paying. To some this will all sound confusing and difficult ... but the chance to save money on all your medical bills is worth a little head-scratching and web-browsing. So, here are some links (note that I have no affiliation whatsoever with any of these organizations) that will more fully explain the options of the new HSA accounts and provide additional links for more information: http://www.msawashington.com/, http://www.msabank.com/index.asp.

"If you decide to pursue these options and do not have the necessary "high deductible health insurance policy" but would like to learn more about them I can simply offer that I have one of these plans from American Republic Insurance (my rep is Dann Lowenthal at http://www.lowinsure.com/) and my wife has her policy through Fortis Insurance (her rep is Rob Olive at ROB.OLIVE.C2VD@STATEFARM.COM). I simply provide these as options and starting points (although we are happy with both of these people and the companies they represent)."

HEAT TRANSFER SOFTWARE: Thermal Ceramics is distributing a CD-ROM called "K-Source 2003/2004." It contains product data sheets, product videos, links to current MSD sheets, product installation instructions, sales and plant locations, and contact information. Also contained on the CD is the Thermal Ceramics Heat Flow 4.0 program, a completely updated tool for calculating heat transfer through different refractory and insulation materials, which can be used for designing furnace and kiln lining constructions. A copy of the CD can be obtained by sending an e-mail to tceramics@thermalceramics.com or visiting www.thermalceramics.com.

FIFTH ELEMENT GALLERY CLOSED: Sadly, the Fifth Element Gallery closed at the end of January. With the closure of Margo Jacobsen and Fifth Element, we have lost two of the more important higher-end clay galleries in Portland.

HAVE YOUR WORK PHOTOGRAPHED at Showcase by Courtney Frisse. She will be set up at the show once again, and will shoot quality slides for anyone who signs up. Prices for tabletop sized pieces are: 1st piece $45, additional pieces $35 each (highly reflective pieces may be more). Booth slides are available for $35. 6 MB slide scans onto CD available for $6 each. Call  now to reserve the most favorable time slot! Also, Courtney would like to trade photography for help in getting her equipment into and out of the Convention Center Wednesday morning and Sunday afternoon. Please call her if you are interested. Having a pickup or van is a plus!

OREGON CERAMIC ASSOCIATION SHOW: The "Ceramics & Doll Show Competition & Sale" will be at the Washington County Fair Complex, 873 N.E. 34th Ave in Hillsboro March 19^th-21^st. Free parking. They sell molds, decals, brushes, glazes, and many other things (you can go to a doll eye seminar!). Fri-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun noon-5pm

ARTISTS ASSETS: GUIDE TO ARTIST RESOURCES is the name of handbook published by Artist Trust. It lists resources in Washington state for artists like health insurance, studio spaces emergency and legal resources, job listings, and web sites for art related resources. To buy a copy, send $5 to Heather Joy Helbach-Olds, Information Services, Artist Trust, 1835 12^th Ave, Seattle WA 98122-2437, 206-467-8734 x10, heartherjoy@artisttrust.org, or download a free copy from their website at www.artisttrust.org/4artists/information/assets/.

POTTERS FOR PEACE: This great group has been working in Nicaragua to help potters fire kilns using less fuel and working in Mexico on pollution-free brick kiln. They also have their on-going projects working on inexpensive water filters, made by potters and sold to local people in Thailand and Latin America, as well as the usual helping local potters get going on making pieces for the export economy. They have filter making projects or are consulting on them in countries all over the world. Their goal is to enable people in economically challenged countries to make and sell work that can either help their local communities or bring in needed money. They also have a video out, "The Road to Hope," for $25. www.potpaz.org, 2216 Race St, Denver CO 80205

GALLERY GUIDE TO CERAMICS EVENTS IN ENGLAND: Ceramic Review magazine publishes this annual guide to ceramics galleries, festivals and museum collections in the United Kingdom. Your editor has a copy, and anyone is welcome to check it out. Remember that the OPA pays for the Newsletter Editor to subscribe to a number of art and ceramic related magazines, and any member who wants to drop by and peruse them is welcome.

GUIDE TO CERAMIC MATERIALS: Ceramic Industry magazine has an annual Materials Handbook in their January issue. It lists every material you have ever heard of, as well as many that you’ve never dreamed about and it lists which companies supply them. If you want to subscribe to this magazine, they will send it free to anyone who qualifies as a professional in the industry, or you can pay. Contact them at PO Box 2145, Skokie IL 60076

PRINTING ON CLAY: An article in CeramicsTECHNICAL #17 about Printing on Clay. It mostly gives formulas for slips and glazes that the author, Haico Nitzsche, uses for these printing processes. There is also an article in the Jan/Feb Pottery Making Illustrated about "Inlaying and Silk-Screening Slip Applique," which is more or less a monoprinting process on clay using silk screens and brushed-on and transferred slip.

SPRING SALE AT SEATTLE POTTERY SUPPLY: March 18-20. This is their annual sale with good prices on equipment and supplies. Contact them at 206-587-0570, 800-522-1975 for details

MOLD MAKING for ceramics is one of the features in an article about Carol McNicoll in the Jan/Feb Ceramic Review magazine. The article is about her work, her inspirations and her mold making techniques for slip casting.

WORKSHOPS-LECTURES-CONFERENCES

SUSAN RODEN: "Paper Clay," Sunday, Feb 22, 10am-4pm. Susan will demonstrate Paper Clay: how to make it, how to use it to build in the wet, leatherhard and dry stages. She will also demonstrate using it for repairs. $25 Local Clay and Club Mud members, $30 general admission.

RICHEY BELLINGER: "A Richness of Form and Surface," Sunday, Feb 29, 10am-4:30pm. Demonstrations include throwing a variety of forms, and applying the slip for which he is known. He will also bring some leather hard pieces and finish trimming and adding handles. $30 Local Clay and Club Mud members, $35 general admission.

HANK MURROW: "Altered Forms and Soft Facets," Sat-Sun, March 13-14, 9am-4pm Sat, 10am-3pm Sun. Hank will demonstrate throwing, altering and trimming with his unique tools. Also a hands-on time to try his tools and a potluck on Hank's pots to show how they are designed for food. At Hank Murrow's Studio, 1215 Arthur Street, Eugene (1 block south of West 11th, 1 block west of Garfield; 541-342-8429), $45 Local Clay members, $55 general admission.

STEVE ENGLE: FIGURATIVE SCULPTURE, Apr 3 & 4; Sat/Sun 9-4pm, $150; Studio fee $40. Using pipe and wood dowels as the armature students will investigate the techniques to create finished pieces. Armature design and possible surface finishes will be discussed. While the sculptures can be fired, the emphasis will be placed on the versatility of non-fired clay, including a demonstration of soaking dried sculptures in boiled linseed oil.

THANHBINH DUONG: MOVING CLAY LIKE DANCING, March 13th, 10am-4pm, at Valley Art Association in Forest Grove. Thanhbinh (Tea) has "more fun than anything else" when he's throwing pots. Tea will demonstrate his trademark throwing techniques and his pottery will be on display in the Valley Art Gallery. $40 for VA members and OPA members and $50 for non-members. Call Vicki Tanner, 503-647-2392, timvic2@ipns.com.

DENNIS MEINERS & LESLIE LEE: A TANDEM DEMONSTRATION. June 26-27 (slide show evening of June 25), $125. Dennis will handbuild functional pottery and sculptural vessels, and Leslie will demonstrate figurative sculpture, especially faces, hands and feet. This will be followed by two optional "hands on days" June 28-29 ($50 one day, $85 both days).

JIM ROBINSON: REFINING FORMS & STYLIZING ANIMALS. June 16-18, $130. The engaging "Glaze Doctor" will discuss the clay surface at various temperature ranges with appropriate clay bodies. Day three will include "hands-on" participation by the students.

VIRGINIA CARTWRIGHT: Aug 9-13, $270. Explore techniques of folding thin slabs of clay into functional forms. Students will learn how to make pots with colored clay patterns. On the last day participants will make loaves of colored clay to take home for further experimentation.  Virginia shares her travels to Japan & techniques learned from her many. 

JIM KOUDELKA: APPROACHES TO SODA FIRING, March 6-7, for MHCC students only. He will make and glaze pieces for soda firing

LINDA CHRISTIANSON: WOOD & SALT EXTRAVAGANZA, 8 days long, June 10-17, $250 for OPA members and MHCC students. More info in the next newsletter.

JANET BUSKIRK: TOOL MAKING FOR CERAMIC ARTISTS, Feb 28, $60 for Salem Art Assoc members, learn to make tools to add texture to your clay by making bisqued clay texture making tools, various textured wire cutting tools and brushes. Salem Art Association, www.salemart.org, 1220 12^th SE, Salem OR 97302, 503-581-7275

STEVEN HILL: May 21-22, $195. Hill has been inspired by the old architecture of Tuscany and uses primarily textured matte glazes with contrasting color on borders and handles.

MOLD MAKING: free, March 27. Polyurethane mold and mold making with a Synair factory representative. Come and see how to successfully use Synair products.

FISH MOLD WORKSHOP: Sat April 17 & 24, $75. Make a mold from a real fish and raku a clay impression of your fish. All materials provided. Learn to make molds of fish in a way that can be done on the beach with freshly caught fish. Snacks and smoked salmon will be provided.

PIEPENBERG: Oct 22-23, $175. Throwing and handbuilding demonstrations, slide presentation, glazing and Raku firing

TANGENTS: CERAMICS & BEYOND is a conference in conjunction with this year’s NCECA conference. March 14-16 at Indiana University in Bloomington, this conference is about ceramics and how it fits in the larger art world. $75, 1-800-933-9330, www.fa.indiana.edu:16080/nceca/. If you plan to go to NCECA and have not yet registered, it is March 17-20 in Indianapolis. 866-266-2322, www.nceca.net.

THE NAKED TRUTH: an international woodfire conference, Sept 15-18 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. $225, contact Gary Hootman, PO Box 301, Swisher IA 52338, woodfire2004@aol.com.

CLAY MODERN 2004: an Australian ceramics conference, May 2-8, $300, contact Ceramic Art, 120 Glenmore Rd, Paddington NSW 2021, www.ceramicart.com.au.

OPPORTUNITIES

CALL FOR ENTRIES: For ceramic artists who have actively pursued a career in clay for less than ten years, Ceramics Monthly magazine is publishing an article on emerging talent. Deadline Feb 27. They would like up to five original slides (not duplicates, not more than five), cover letter, full descriptions of work, artist statement, resume and SASE. Send to Emerging Artists, Ceramics Monthly, 735 Ceramic Pl, Westerville OH 43081.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "International Juried Woodfired Exhibition," deadline May 15, show Sept-Nov, work must be made within last two years, in conjunction with international woodfire conference "The Naked Truth" in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, juried by Ryoji Koie, Janet Mansfield & Don Reitz, $25 jury fee for 2 works. For prospectus contact Gary Hootman, PO box 301, Swisher IA 52338, woodfire2004@aol.com.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "2005 Clay Lovers Calendar Exhibition," deadline May 30, show October, juried from up to four images on CD, for prospectus send SASE to Lisa Skeen, Living Tree Pottery, 8406 Hudson James Rd, Summerfield NC 27358, lpskeen@living-tree.net.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "2004 Kiln God National," deadline March 15, show April 16-18 in conjunction with Ceramic Weekend at Chicken Farm Art Center, juried from actual work by Randy Brodnax, $15 jury fee, for prospectus send SASE to Kiln God National, 1517 S Van Buren, San Angelo TX 76901, http://kilngodnational.com.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "3^rd Annual Soda/Salt National," deadline April 3, show May, open to ceramics fired in soda or salt, juried by Josh DeWeese, jury fee $20 for 2 slides, $25 for 3 slides, for prospectus send SASE to Clay Studio of Missoula, 910 Dickens, Missoula MT 59802, jaylawfer@hotmail.com.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "Mugalomania," deadline April 7, show April 24-May 8, for mugs & cups made primarily from clay, juried by Lynn Lemyre & Isaac Witkin from actual works, jury fee $15 for 3 entries, $5 each for up to 3 more entries, for prospectus send SASE to Mill Race Village Arts & Preservation, 37 White St, Mount Holly NJ 08060, hihpottery@comcast.net.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: "3^rd World Ceramic Biennale 2005 Korea: International Competition," preliminary slide jury Aug 23-Oct 15, 2004. Final selection Dec 2004, show April-June 2005, in conjunction with the World Ceramic Biennale Conference. Two categories: Ceramics for Use" and "Ceramics as Expression." See the full page ad in many issues of Ceramics Monthly, or look at www.worldceramic.or.kr. Juried from slides, 3 views of each piece.

MENTOR PROGRAM AT ACC SHOWS: The American Craft Council, sponsor of many of the big wholesale/retail exhibitions of crafts in this country, offers a mentor program. This program teams up an experienced artist with someone who is entering the wholesale market for the first time. Both artists get a free booth in a show, plus some other financial perks. Applications for 2005 are available in Spring 2004, 410-583-5401, www.craftcouncil.org.

FELLOWSHIPS & RESIDENCIES for clay-related institutions in the U.S. and throughout the world are listed in the Jan. 2004 Ceramics Monthly.

FAIRS

SILVERTON FINE ARTS FESTIVAL: August 21-22, booths for fine art and craft, deadline March 30, call for prospectus 503-873-2480 or e-mail: silverton.finearts@verizon.net.

INLAND CRAFTS: 22^nd annual, fine contemporary crafts, Nov. 12-14th at the Spokane Convention Center, Spokane, WA. Postmark deadline April 2, 2004, no jury fee. Juried from 5 slides + resume, download application at www.inlandcrafts.org, or send SASE to G. Freuen, Inland Craft Warnings, l5205 N. Shady Slope Rd, Spokane, WA 99208

BELLEVUE ARTS AND CRAFT FAIR: This show is apparently being re-vamped, with a new name and new management. July 23-25, commission lowered to 18%, deadline Feb 28, 4 slides + booth slide. You now apply online with a strange and complicated procedure, www.bellevueart.org, or call 206-283-8368

DISCOVERED (& UNDISCOVERED) POTTERS SALES: Various shows in 2004: Happy Valley Grange in Redmond, March 4-6; Columbia Winery in Woodinville, April 28-May 1; Pickering Barn in Issaquah, Oct 6-9; Hollywood School House in Woodinville, Nov 17-20. Entry fees $50-85, 20% commission, www.undiscoveredpotters.com, 425-868-3989

ARTFEST: at Spokane Museum of Art & Culture, June 4-6, deadline March 5, juried from 5 slides + resume, $10 jury fee, contact Jochen Wierich at NW Museum of Arts, 2316 W 1^st Ave, Spokane WA 99204, 509-363-5325 or Ellen Heflin at Spokane Art School, 509-328-0900

BEND SUMMER FESTIVAL, July 10-11; as well as Bend Fall Festival, Oct 2-3; Bend Spring Festival, May 22; Red White & Blues Festival, July 4. Application fee $25 per event (plus $30 late fee if after Feb 27), booths $50-135, 10% commission, deadline Feb 27, contact C3 Events, 208 SE Vine Ln, Bend OR 97702, artists@c3events.com, 541-389-0995, www.c3events.com.

SUN VALLEY ARTS & CRAFTS FESTIVAL: Aug 13-15, deadline Feb 28, jury fee $20, booth fee $400, PO Box 656, Sun Valley ID 83353, 208-726-9491, www.sunvalleycenter.org

MEMBERS’ NEWS

LESLIE LEE: Recent paintings of Leslie’s will be on display at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, 335 State St in Salem, Mar 2-April 3. Opening March 3, 5-7pm

NATALIE WARRENS & NANCY WILKINS will show ceramics and prints at the Mary Lou Zeek Gallery, 335 State St in Salem. April 6-30, opening April 7, 5-8pm.

HANK MURROW has an exhibition called "Migrations of the Heart," Jan 30-March 2 at the White Lotus Gallery in Eugene

GINGER STEELE has a show at Valley Art, 2022 Main St in Forest Grove, Jan 15-Feb 28.

VICTORIA CHRISTEN will be teaching a workshop at Anderson Ranch, Aug 23-Sept 3, www.andersonranch.org

MARK HEIMANN, DENNIS MEINERS, PATRICK HORSLEY, LYN SEDLAK FORD, KATY MCFADDEN, VICTORIA SHAW, JIM ROBINSON, & LESLIE LEE had photos of their work in the Jan/Feb issue of Clay Times in an article about a sculpture show at the Karin Clarke Gallery in Eugene that was curated by GIL HARRISON. There was also an article about this show in the "Up Front" section of Ceramics Monthly in January.

IN MEMORY OF TERRY SCHULZ: "Dear Loved Ones and Friends, our dear Terry Clare passed away Sunday February 8th at Providence Hospital due to complications from her seventh and most severe stroke. She was 79. Her service was held in the small chapel at the Unity Church of Portland on Saturday, February 21^st with her family and friends attending. Her husband Bill is a veteran of WWII, Army division, and her ashes will be interred at the Willamette National Cemetery, Portland, Oregon at a later date. Clare raised 3 children, Eric, Douglas, and Stephanie, as the family traveled the world in Mexico, Europe, the Middle East, and finally with Bill's job with the U.N. in the South Pacific. Clare was a published children's book author/illustrator, and artist.

"Terry's sweet and happy spirit will be greatly missed by all who knew her at Saturday Market and Oregon Potters Association. Clare was also a member of the international philanthropic sisterhood of PEO for over 50 years, as was her mother.

"Bill is retired from Saturday Market to do his clay sculpture. Daughter, Stephanie will continue to make and sell Terry's Schulz Porcelain's line of Mt St Helen's ash ware and blue and white Christmas ornaments.

"Terry is also survived by her brother, Jim, of Arizona, son Eric, in Culver, Oregon, grandchildren, Amber, and Serena, and great-daughter Nyssa, as well as a large extended family.

"In Love, The Schulz Family." (Submitted by Stephanie Schulz)

SHAMELESS ADVERTISING

WORK SOUGHT: I'm looking for extra work. Willing to do just about anything. Experience in all areas of clay, but willing to do other odd jobs-move, clean, yard work. Michael  (Portland area)

STUDIO ASSISTANT NEEDED: Alas: if I return from Baltimore with orders from galleries, I am in a world of hurt to get the work done. Hence, I need a studio assistant. Two or three days a week, 16 to 20 hours.  Need reliable transportation.  Must be neat and detail orientated (to do my anal tape and spray system. Sam 

HOUSE FOR RENT: Charming 2 bedroom, 1 bath, large rooms, fireplace, gas heat, washer-dryer, dishwasher. New carpet & paint. Detached oversized garage-shop-studio w/ ½ bath. No smoking. Small pet considered. Avail April 1, $995/mo. Tigard.

LISTED ON E-BAY: on the clayart this was mentioned: On E-bay right now there is a 160 ft. car kiln with a starting bid of $150 in Portland OR. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2594036664&category=45046

FOR SALE: Slip Casting Table, Lehman T-60, 40 gal tank w/ pump, 6 ft long, used 1 time only. $550, includes approx. 75 assorted hobby cast molds. Excellent for production casting. Jen Tonneson  (Portland)

GREAT WAX RESIST FOR SALE: Hively Pottery is now selling WAX THAT WORKS!  They stock a liquid wax resist made by Reed Wax that is superior to all of the other products on the market. It brushes on smoothly, does not "gum up", and is a very strong resist. Prices are $3.50/pint, $6.50/quart, $24/gallon. Free 2oz. samples are available upon request. Hively Pottery carries a variety of boxed clay, dry clay and glaze materials, pottery tools, and kiln supplies. Visit their studio on Hwy 99W between Monmouth and Corvallis or call  (Your newsletter editor has used that wax- it’s really good)

WANTED: Desperately looking for used potters wheel, Janice 503-663-2287

On The left is a map that shows how to get to Multnomah Art Center, where most OPA General Meetings are held.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

March 5: OPA General Meeting

March 8: Showcase Steering Committee Meeting

March 10: Group Buy Deadline

April 2: Eugene Empty Bowls

April 5: OPA Board Meeting

April 10: OPA Newsletter Deadline

April 23-25: Ceramic Showcase