DECEMBER 2005-JANUARY 2006

NEXT OPA GENERAL MEETING: JANUARY 13 (Friday) at Multnomah Art Center, 7688 SW Capitol Hwy in Portland.

7:30pm: Program: The program will be a dry run of the talk that OPA Members Patrick Horsley, Deborah Shapiro, Mark Heimann and Janet Buskirk will give at NCECA about Showcase. Please come to the talk and ask tough questions. Heckling is discouraged.

Dates for OPA General Meetings in 2006 are (Mark your calendars!): January 13, March 17, May 12, July 14, September Picnic (date TBA), November 3. Please note: meetings are usually the 2^nd Friday of the month. March will be different this year, due to a conflict with NCECA and November conflicts with Veteran’s Day, so it is early.

NEXT OPA BOARD MEETING: Monday, Feb 6 at Janet Buskirk’s house, 4614 SE Salmon St in Portland (between SE Hawthorne and Belmont at the corner of 46^th). Potluck dinner at 6pm, meeting begins at 6:30.

NEXT SHOWCASE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING: Wednesday, January 10^th at 6:30pm at Contemporary Crafts, 3934 SW Corbett in Portland.

OPA BOARD ELECTIONS: Have you been wanting to get more involved in the clay community? Looking for a few new friends to chat with about spodumene or gerstley borate? Maybe you enjoy organizing a few clay related events. Here’s your chance! Run for a position on the OPA board for 2006! This is not only a great way to get involved with OPA, it also earns some points. The election will be at the January, 2006 General Meeting. The President has already been elected (That is last year’s President-Elect, Mark Heimann). The Treasurer serves a 2-year term and, although we do not elect a new one until 2007, we are looking for a Treasurer-in-Training. Please consider this job, as it is very important to the organization. It is also a great opportunity to get a lot of hands-on experience with OPA. All other positions are available. Positions marked with an asterisk (*) already have at least one nominee. Chairs must submit reports written or in person to the six board meetings, members at large must attend four of six board meetings and take on board assignments as needed. These assignments include overseeing the OPA Video Library, help with NCECA projects, organize group buys or other special projects.

President Elect (becomes President in 2007, 24 points over 2 years). This person will be the president in 2007.

Clay in Education, Coordinates teachers and programs needing teachers for the OPA funded clay classes and events (6 points)

Data Coordinator, This person helps solve electronic and computer compatibility issues, sends out emails to OPA membership and is the general electronic handyman. (9 points)

Empty Bowls, Coordinates the large July Empty Bowls fundraiser at the Blues Festival (12 points)

Finance Committee, Three positions, three year commitment. One position is open this year. This new committee works closely with the Treasurer, examines the OPA budget and makes recommendations to the OPA Board. (6 points)

Hospitality, Makes coffee and supplies snacks to OPA General Meetings (6 points)

Justice Center Windows, Coordinates displays in the downtown Portland Justice Center (6 points)

Membership, Keeps track of new, current, and renewing members (9 points)

Mentor, Helps emerging ceramicists who are trying to get started professionally (6 points)

Newsletter Editor, Writes six newsletters per year (15 points)*

Picnic, Coordinates annual OPA picnic (6 points, no nominees)

Programs, Coordinates the post-meeting Progams for OPA General Meetings, these are usually slide shows, demonstrations or other informative talks (9 points)

Secretary, Takes notes at meetings and distributes them. Keeps general OPA records. (9 points)*

Treasurer in Training, The Treasurer works with both OPA and Showcase. Keep track of budgets and bookkeeping. Treasurer attends Board and Steering Committee meetings (Treasurer receives 15 points, trainee points will be decided later).*

Webmaster, Maintains the OPA and Showcase web sites (9 points)*

Workshops, Organizes workshops of interest to our membership (6 points, no nominees)

Voice mailbox, Checks OPA voice mail regularly and returns calls (6 points)*

Members at Large: 12 people are Members At Large, they take on responsibilities as they are needed. There are a few nominees already (6 points).

THANK YOU, LARRY NELSON for being a great President in 2005. Thank you also to Mark Heimann, our 2006 incoming President. It should be an exciting year!

CERAMIC SHOWCASE

SHOWCASE ARTIST NUMBERS: Contrary to the information in the last Newsletter, we do not plan to require all participants in Showcase to have an artist number on their tags. This may be implemented in future years, but is currently still being debated by the Steering Committee.

OTHER OREGON CLAY ORGANIZATION NEWS

CLAYFEST in October had total sales of $76,327. This was up 16% (over $10,000) from last year. Congratulations to everyone involved. A sixteen year old student who was interviewing participants as part of a class assignment said about Clayfest: “At first I thought it was going to be really boring, just a bunch of old people, but then when I got there it was all sparkly, almost like being at the mall!”

FAITH RAHILL has an article called “Tips from the Pros: Neriage Blocks with Colored Clay” coming out in the Jan/Feb issue of Pottery Making Illustrated. The rumor is that the entire issue will focus on people from the Oregon area in preparation for NCECA.

NCECA

PRE-CONFERENCE EVENTS: There will be at least two events prior to the NCECA conference next March:

PRE CONFERENCE WORKSHOP AT MHCC: JACK TROY: Jack will make and trim pots as he would for his anagama. See the James Brown of wood fire do his stuff, listen to him discuss his aesthetic vision and techniques for achieving the best color with wood. March 6-7, 9am-5pm, $100, send checks to Lynn Horn Visual Arts, Mount Hood Community College, 26000 SE Stark St, Gresham OR 97030, 503-491-7309. Also at Mt Hood CC will be a flower arranging session on the afternoon of the 7^th and: DONOVAN PALMQUIST: “Building Wood Kilns” slide presentation, 7pm on March 6^th

OPA BOOTH AT NCECA: OPA will have a non-profit booth at NCECA. We will use this booth to disseminate information about our organization and also to be a gracious host to the people visiting the area. We are compiling a restaurant guide and a studio tour guide to hand out. We will also sell the OPA Cookbook and hand out posters for our shows.

OPA SPONSORED EXHIBITIONS: OPA is sponsoring three juried shows that will be at the Skutt kiln warehouse. They are:

“Membership Has its Benefits” a show for current and former members of the various clay guilds in Oregon

“The Mad Hatter’s Tea” a show featuring teapots as art objects

“Form and Function: The Teapot” a show featuring teapots as sculptural objects

OPA BUTTONS and OPA RESTAURANT GUIDE: Do you know your way around the Portland area? OPA Members who want to help confused, out of town Conference attendees can wear buttons that say “Ask Me- I Live Here.” Just tell everyone to look for the people wearing the yellow buttons. You can pick yours up at the OPA Booth at NCECA, and they will probably be handed out at OPA events prior to the Conference. Thanks to Deb Shapiro and Holly Dubrasich.

POTTERY NEWS

THE REAL MOTHER GOOSE recently closed their Washington Square store. One of three locations, this store had been open for 32 years. They plan to continue operations at both their downtown Portland and their Portland Airport stores as normal.

GRIEF RECOVERY: OPA Member Romaine Harris has become a grief recovery counselor. If you have inquiries about her services, call her at 503-548-7844

GEORGIES is giving 20% off all books through December 31^st. They also are giving 10% discounts and/or 10% gift certificates for many purchases over $500. Through December, Giffin Grips and Pacifica wheels are on sale.

PHOTOGRAPHERS FOR CRAFTSPEOPLE: Lately a number of photographers have contacted us asking to advertise in the Newsletter. It seemed like the best idea was to publish a list of photographers who our members have used and recommend. Here are some of them. For those of you who are new to hiring photographers, some charge by the hour, others charge by the number of pieces you bring them. Some include film, processing, etc in their price, others do not. Some are selling you all the rights to using the photos, others retain the ownership of the rights, so you have more limited use of the photos. Some will supply you with both slides and digital images for a small additional fee. If you are not familiar with a photographer, ask to see their portfolio and make certain that their photography style suits your work. Some of these photographers may give a small discount to OPA members.

Bill Bachhuber, 503-234-1348

Courtney Frisse, 503-331-1671, 503-460-0697

CALL FOR ENTRIES: “Membership Has it’s Benefits,” deadline Jan 10, show March (during NCECA), jurors Craig Martell, Natalie Warrens, Hsin-Yi Huang, Kathryn Finnerty, Ron Linn, Babette Harvey, open to current and former members of the various clay guilds in Oregon. See application in this Newsletter.

CALL FOR ENTRIES: “Feats of Clay,” deadline Feb 10, show April-May, jury fee $15-30, juried from slides, send SASE to Lincoln Arts, 540 F St, Lincoln CA 95648, 916-645-9713

GRANTS AVAILABLE: For projects in central Europe, Russia and Eurasia. Grants are $10,000. Contact CEC ArtsLink, 435 Hudson St, 8^th floor, New York NY 10014, deadline Jan 14.

FAIRS

WORKSHOPS-LECTURES-CONFERENCES

GLEN GRISHKOFF: “Brush Making,” Glen will demonstrate how he makes brushes, including special knots, glues, and cutting and wrapping hairs. Materials are provided, students will create 8 to 10 handmade brushes that they can use. April 8-9, $180+ $45 fee, at Oregon College of Art and Craft, 503-297-5544

JIM ROMBERG: “Expanding Expression: Developing Forms and Firing in Raku,” April 7-9, $250

SHAMELESS ADVERTISING

WANTED: Skutt 1227 kiln and electric wheel, preferably Brent or Shimpo. Also need books and other supplies to help start a new studio in Winston, OR. Red Bird Pottery, Cheryl Weese, 541-679-6006.

FOR SALE: Used Olympic DD30 kiln and smaller Skutt kilns. Good condition. Dennis, 503-286-1037, 503-260-0172

FOR SALE: Olympic kiln, equivalent to Skutt 1227 in size, w/ kiln sitter, no timer, shelves included, $600. Gyllian, 503-331-1922 (Portland)

FOR SALE: Used propane tank (cost $130), 2 large metal garbage cans, used once, $32. Raku tongs & gloves, used once, $95. Raku kiln, 17x17” (paid $450). Tank has propane in it, asking $595 for lot. I can deliver for small fee, 360-686-8188. Raku was not for me.

2006 OREGON POTTERS ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL

$______Regular Membership $45 Circle one. Renewal/New Member

$______Newsletter Only $12 (available only if you live over 100 miles from the Portland Metro area)

$______Website Maintenance Fee $10 (if you have a page on the OPA Website, you must pay this fee each year)

$______Donation to OPA's Clay in Education Fund ($5 of your membership fee goes to this program. Your additional support will help it to grow!)

$______Donation to CERF (Craft Emergency Relief Fund)

$______Donation to Studio Potter Network

$______Total enclosed. Thank you! Make checks out to Oregon Potters Association

To be listed on the 2006 OPA Membership List, this form must be received by February 1, 2006

__ Street Address ______________________________________________________________

__ City __________________________________ State _________ Zip __________________

__ Home Phone (_______)__________________ Studio/fax/other phone _________________

__ email _________________________________ Website _____________________________

The Oregon Potters Association presents a juried exhibition of work made by current and former members of the various clay guilds that are active in Oregon. The exhibition will be held at Skutt Ceramic Products during NCECA 2006.

Application Deadline: January 10, 2006 (postmark)

Notification begins: January 25

Accepted work due: February 24

Artist Reception: March 10

Exhibition dates: March 7-11

Artwork available to pick up: March 11-12

-Clay must be the primary medium, at least 70% of each entry must consist of clay

-Open to current and former members of the Oregon Potters Association, ClayFolk and Local Clay.

-Submitted work must have been produced within the last two years.

-Accepted work which differs significantly from the submitted slide or displays poor craftsmanship may be disqualified.

-If submitted work is larger than 24” in any direction, weighs more than 20 pounds, or is in any way difficult to hang or display, artist must be willing to assist in displaying the work. All artwork must be properly prepared and presented for display.

-Artwork may not be so fragile that shipment or public display is potentially harmful to the artwork or the viewer

-No accepted entry may be withdrawn prior to the close of the exhibition.

-Artists may submit up to three works, up to two views of each work may be submitted

-Slides must be 35mm, color, in a standard 2x2 mount. Slides of unaccepted work will be returned if artist provides SASE with appropriate postage. Slides of accepted work may not be returned.

-Slides must be labeled with: Artist name; entry number; indication of “top” of slide

-The entry fee is $5 for one to two submissions, $10 for three submissions. Make check out to Oregon Potters Association

-A 30% commission will be charged on all sales. Prices for work must be retail prices, and must include the 30% commission.

The artist is responsible for shipping or delivering their work both to and from the exhibition. We may be able to make arrangements for one artist to bring work by other artists within the state of Oregon.

Every reasonable precaution will be taken during the receiving, installation, exhibition and return of work, but the Oregon Potters Association, Skutt Ceramic Products, their employees and volunteers will assume no responsibility for loss or damage incurred. ARTISTS MUST CARRY THEIR OWN INSURANCE. Work should not be so fragile that shipment or public display is potentially harmful to the work or the viewer.

The Oregon Potters Association wishes to thank Skutt Ceramic Products for the use of their facility during this exhibition and for their generous help in planning this and other exhibitions. Thank you also to the many OPA members who are volunteering their time to make this show happen.

Membership Has Its Benefits, Janet Buskirk, Exhibition Chair

Oregon Potters Association

4614 SE Salmon St, Portland, OR 97215

-Slides, labeled as instructed

-Entry form, filled out and signed

-Entry fee check, payable to the Oregon Potters Association

-Self addressed, stamped envelope with adequate postage

This exhibition is juried in a very unique manner. The six jurors are the past six years’ First Place award winners from the Oregon Potters Association’s annual show, Ceramic Showcase. The First Place Award is given each year to the piece that the membership of the Oregon Potters Association votes as “Best of Show.” So, these jurors are voted in by our membership, and now they will in turn jury many of these same members’ work.

Craig Martell (Best of Show, 2000) has studied ceramics at the University of Oregon and Western Oregon State University. He is a full time studio potter, focusing on making useable domestic ware out of porcelain. He is also known for his technical expertise in ceramics.

Natalie Warrens (Best of Show, 2001) has an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is currently both a studio ceramic artist and a college ceramics instructor. She is very active in the ceramics community and has exhibited her work throughout the country.

Hsin-Yi Huang (Best of Show, 2002) studied ceramics at Oregon College of Art and Craft and the University of Wisconsin, Madison. She explores her ideas and forms though both functional and sculptural ceramics, and shows her work regionally as well as nationally.

Kathryn Finnerty (Best of Show, 2003) has an MFA from Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. She is currently a studio potter in Pleasant Hill, Oregon. She has exhibited and taught workshops throughout the USA and Canada and has won numerous awards and been in many publications.

Ron Linn (Best of Show, 2004) has a degree in Art from Portland State University. He is currently a High School ceramics teacher in Portland. He makes work that is contemplative as well as monumental.

Babette Harvey (Best of Show, 2005) studied ceramics at the Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland, Oregon. She is a studio potter as well as a college ceramics instructor. Her work focuses on both sculpture and function. She exhibits her work nationally and has been in many publications.

Please keep this form so that you know which slide was Entry #1, 2 and 3. If accepted into the show, this will be your handy reference guide so that you know which work to send to the Membership Has Its Benefits Exhibition.

Entry 1: Title: _______________________

Description: ____________________________

Retail price: ____________________

Entry 2: Title: _______________________

Description: _____________________________

Retail price: ____________________

Entry 3: Title: _______________________

Description: ______________________________

Retail price: ____________________

AGREEMENT:

Submission of this slide (or slides) and, if accepted, this artwork, shall constitute an agreement on the part of the artist to comply with the conditions set forth in this prospectus.

I hereby release and discharge the officers, employees and volunteers of the Oregon Potters Association and Skutt Ceramic Products from any and all claims occasioned by damage or loss of said slide(s) or artwork while in the possession of the Oregon Potters Association or Skutt Ceramic Products , or during return shipment.

Accepted artwork is available for sale unless it is clearly marked “NFS” (not for sale) on all forms

Permission to photograph or reproduce the artwork for publicity purposes, educational purposes, catalogues or posters is granted.

All decisions by the Exhibition Chair are final

Permission to release artist’s name, telephone and email address is: ___ Granted or ___ Not Granted

Please sign your name: ___________________________________________________

Please print clearly:

Artist name: _______________________________________________

Street address: ____________________________________________

City, state and zip: __________________________________________

Telephone: ________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________

Please specify which Oregon Ceramics organization(s) you have joined. Include approximate years when you were a member: _______________________________

Entry 1: Title: _______________________________________________

Dimensions: H _____ x W ______ x D ______

Specific medium/technique: ____________________________________

Selling price (if NFS, state “NFS” and insurance value) $ _____________

Entry 2: Title: _______________________________________________

Dimensions: H _____ x W ______ x D ______

Specific medium/technique: ____________________________________

Selling price (if NFS, state “NFS” and insurance value) $ _____________

Entry 3: Title: _______________________________________________

Dimensions: H _____ x W ______ x D ______

Specific medium/technique: ____________________________________

Selling price (if NFS, state “NFS” and insurance value) $ _____________

You may submit a reproduced copy of this prospectus

FEE: $5 for one or two submissions, $10 for three submissions

Total enclosed: ______

OREGON POTTERS ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER: Established in 1980, this newsletter is sent to OPA members, educational institutions and ceramic-related businesses. It is published in February, April, June, August, October and December. Submissions should be sent, in writing, to Janet Buskirk, OPA Newsletter Editor, 4614 SE Salmon St, Portland OR 97215 or janetbuskirk@yahoo.com. Both editorial and advertising submissions are free of charge and will be published at the discretion of the editor. Submissions are due on the 10^th of the month during which the Newsletter will be published. Changes of address or email address should be sent to Peter Meyer, OPA Membership Chair, PO box 7012, Bend OR 97708 or pmeyer@cocc.edu.