OPA Video Library

The OPA Video Library is available to all full members of OPA. There is no charge to borrow a video, but you must pay postage. You can avoid the postage costs if you pick up or return a video at an OPA general meeting, or to the librarian in person. The borrowing period is one month in your possession (excluding time in the mail). There is a limit of two videos at a time.

Please keep in mind that most videos in our collection are copyrighted and are intended for private viewings only. Showing these videos in a public space such as schools may be a copyright violation. (If you are a teacher, talk to your school administration about copyright.) You may borrow them to view in your home with friends, but you cannot charge admission. (And we know the public is clamoring for a seat in your house!)

To rent a video:
Complete and follow instructions contained in the Video Rental form (pdf)
or submit the Online Video Rental Form.

Print a copy of video list (pdf)

New Videos

Collaboration: The Ceramic Art of Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden .......... DVD (57 min)
This film documents the challenges, risks and rewards of two extremely talented artists, Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden, who have collaborated to bring about a significant achievement in ceramic art. After a difficult and costly learning process, their art has gained international and is now included in many major collections, both public and private, including the Smithsonian Institution.

Tom Turner – Two Day Workshop and 34 Pots from 1970-2004 .......... 4 DVDs (6 hours)
This 4 disc set documents a two day workshop conducted in May of 2005. Along with the workshop is a mini-retrospective of 34 of his favorite pots from his permanent collection spanning 1970 to 2004.

Why Man Creates (1968) ........................................................................................ DVD (25 min)
A 1968 animated short documentary film which discusses the nature of creativity. It was written by  Saul Bass and Mayo Simon, and directed by Bass. The movie won the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject. It focuses on the creative process and the different approaches taken to that process. It is divided into eight sections: The Edifice, Fooling Around, The Process, Judgment, A Parable, Digression, The Search, and The Mark.

Instructional

The Art of Making Teapots - Virginia Cartwright............................................................... VHS (30 min)
Virginia Cartwright shares with you her techniques of making spouts, lids and handles without the use of the potter’s wheel. She demonstrates three different forms and shows examples of artists’ work from her collection
.
Beverly Toyu Life Mask - Father Riley................................................................................. VHS (30 min)
OPA’s own Beverly Toyu is interviewed on a San Francisco TV show called "Body and Soul." Includes footage of Ms. Toyu taking a plaster mold of Father Riley’s face, and several examples of raku-fired masks.

Ceramics Monthly Archives............................................................................................................. 5 CD’s
All issues cover to cover of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s. These are viewed with a computer.

Clay Whistles: A companion video to the book................................................................ VHS (30min)
Construction techniques and nuances involved.

The Climbing Kiln of Woolman Lane - Richard Hotchkiss.............................................. DVD (45 min)
Designed in 1971 this is a six chamber wood fired climbing kiln and a pioneer in the world wide ceramic community.  The kiln is 60 feet long and over a thousand cubic feet.

Extrude It! Volume 1 - David Hendley................................................................................. DVD (72 min)
David uses his extruder to make a variety of functional and decorative forms. Beginners will find helpful tips while the experienced potters are sure to discover new ideas, tools and processes to incorporate into their work.

Get a Handle on It - Tony Clennell....................................................................................... DVD (58 min)
A great handle is capable of making an ordinary pot “exceptional”. Learn a variety of handle making techniques that will take your work to a new realm. Handles are pulled, thrown, hand built, altered, and discussed.

Handmade Tiles, Volume 1 - Frank Giorgini...................................................................... VHS (58 min)
Frank Giorgini demonstrates tile-making processes detailed in his book of the same name. Includes methods for making plaster tile molds, using a tile press, colored clay inlay, and shellac resist.

Inlaid Colored Clay - Virginia Cartwright.............................................................................. VHS (44 min)
Very clearly done where the mystery of working with colored clays is explained. Virginia does a wonderful job of presenting the techniques in and easy to follow manner.

Making Pots On the Wheel - Jerry Horning.................................................................................. 2 DVDs
Centering and throwing a cylinder. Throwing and tooling Bowls and plates. Throwing Vases and bottles. Pulling Handles on Cups and Pitchers. Making lidded jars, teapots, and lidded pitchers.

Mask-making With Clay - Peggy Flores.............................................................................. VHS (20 min)
An articulate and understandable demonstration of the art of using slabs to create masks. Excellent for elementary school level.

Paper Clay Workshop1 - Rosette Gault........................................................................... VHS (120 min)
A two hour workshop on all aspects of paper clay - porcelain, raku, slip, Terra cotta and earthenware.  Ms. Gault is the author of two books on the subject and a well known authority on the subject.

Raku Ceramics - Jim Romberg............................................................................................ VHS (75 min)
Well-known potter Jim Romberg demonstrates his approach to raku including throwing, hand building, decoration and firing.

Six Easy Pieces: Part 1 - Virginia Cartwright..................................................................... VHS (38 min)
Virginia Cartwright shows easy ways to make several pieces for beginner potters.

Soft Slab Techniques - Lana Wilson................................................................................... VHS (37 min)
Lana Wilson has developed a loose way of working with very soft clay to make organic looking, sculptural vessels. She demonstrates how to achieve her unusual clay surfaces by texturing and stretching the slabs in various ways.

Taking The Macho Out of Bigware - Tony & Sheila Clennell......................................... DVD (75 min)
Expertly filmed, with close ups and clear camera work. Tony explains the process as he throws a variety of forms including 3 bottles, casserole, jug, fat rimmed bowl, and more using a sectional throwing method. Tricks and tips on centering, opening large amounts of clay, and using technique not strength. You will learn to make pots 2-3 times your present ability! Very informative and entertaining.

Tell Me Your Story - Daniel Stevens................................................................................... DVD (60 min)
In this video Daniel Stevens explains how pottery was made by pioneers. The video starts by briefly explaining where clay comes from and quick example of pinch and coil pots. He then throws a large jug on his wagon wheel. A pulled handle is added, and some carving is done. The video ends with the addition of a oxide wash to the carved areas of the jug.

Throwing with Slabs and Coils - Bonnie Staffel............................................................... DVD (60 min)
Bonnie shows her techniques of throwing using slabs and coils into forms such as plates, platters.

Tom Turner – Two Day Workshop and 34 Pots from 1970-2004......................... 4 DVDs (6 hours)
This 4 disc set documents a two day workshop conducted in May of 2005. Along with the workshop is a mini-retrospective of 34 of his favorite pots from his permanent collection spanning 1970 to 2004.

Working with Water-Soluble Metal Salts - Gary Holt...................................................................... DVD
Explanation of the use of these soluble salts on porcelain.  Gary gets some fantastic effects and has done extensive testing with the combination of the different chemicals. Included with the video is an eleven page information packet.

Documentary

Anagama with Lou Nils................................................................................................ VHS/ DVD (13 min)
Documentary film of the Women's Anagama firing at East Creek Oregon Filmed by Nathaniel Hitchcock.

Black Pottery of Nicaragua: A Woman’s Tradition.......................................................... VHS (18 min)
In Spanish with English translations. Presents several artists working in the polished black pottery tradition, similar to San Ildefonso pottery of the American southwest. The women demonstrate their forming and firing methods. Good firing ideas for raku and pit firing enthusiasts!

Clay Art at K. Clark Gallery, Eugene OR, September 2003............................................ VHS (54 min)

Collaboration: The Ceramic Art of Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden....................... DVD (57 min)
This film documents the challenges, risks and rewards of two extremely talented artists, Tom Coleman and Frank Boyden, who have collaborated to bring about a significant achievement in ceramic art. After a difficult and costly learning process, their art has gained international and is now included in many major collections, both public and private, including the Smithsonian Institution.

Color and Fire: Defining Moments in Studio Ceram. 1950-2000.................................. VHS (51 min)
Produced in conjunction of the Los Angeles County Museum Art's exhibition of the same name, this lively program explores the evolution of the late-20th century ceramics, leading figures in their field; Ruth Duckworth, Ron Nagle, Wayne Higby, John Mason, Otto Natzler, Richard Shaw and Peter Voulkos and others discuss major themes and debate over decorative arts versus the fine arts.

The Courage to Create Masters of Contemporary Indian Art........................................ VHS (27min)
1995 Lifetime Achievement Awards. Maria Martinez, renowned Pueblo potter and first Indian artist to achieve superstar status. Allan Houser, an influential and innovative painter and sculptor.

Beatrice Wood: Mama of Dada............................................................................................. VHS(60 min)
Premiering on her 100th birthday, this video celebrates the artistic and emotional expression of this unique person. She is seen in studio talking about her work, life and experiences with the great artists of the century.

Daughters of the Anasazi...................................................................................................... VHS (28 min)
With Lucy Lewis, Emma Lewis Mitchell, Delores Lewis Garcia. Famed Acoma potter Lucy Lewis and her daughters demonstrate their traditional methods from gathering and processing clay to forming finishing and firing. Emma and Delores explain their work and philosophy. Watching them work is a humbling experience for impatient modern techno-potters!

Don't Know We'll See: The Work of Karen Karnes......................................................... DVD (62 min)
This film is about not-knowing and discovery, and about the evolution of form, a single sculptural piece and a body of work over a lifetime. It is an invitation to enter the creative process, to slow down and give the eyes and ears a feast, and to be astonished by beauty.

M.C. Richards: The Fire within............................................................................................. DVD (60 min)
M.C. Richard's extraordinary career, stretching from Black Mountain College to Creation Spirituality.

Paul Soldner: Playing with Fire............................................................................................ DVD (60 min)
Explores the evolution of an American visionary who is one of the great living legends in the field of ceramics.
A Retrospective: Paul Soldner: Thrown and altered clay. Segments of the artist in his studio throwing and layering clay, assembling sculpture, glazing and firing the piece, revealing how he creates his work.

The Potters of Seagrove: The Clay Process.................................................................................... VHS
Theme and Variation by the North Carolina Division of Cultural Resources.

Quiet Places - Robin Hopper................................................................................................ VHS (27 min)
Not widely available, this is a sensitive and thoughtful visit to Choisin Pottery, the home and studio of Robin Hopper and Judi Dyell on Vancouver Island. This is about personalities and lifestyle and how Robin and Judi interact with their surroundings, friends, and their craft.

Rudy Autio Makes Night Music - Rudy Autio..................................................................... VHS (40 min)
Enter the studio and the creative experience of Rudy Autio in a most informal and comfortable way.  Follow him in the process of creating one of his signature vessels.

Ruth Duckworth: A Life in Clay............................................................................................ VHS (45 min)
Ruth Duckworth - At 86 a study in contrasts. Her simplistic philosophy “Work comes from play” belies her complexity of her vision. She is a pioneering artist, enriching the form and nurturing our collective wonderment.

Shoji Hamada, A Potter’s Way and Work......................................................................... DVD (28 min)
A fascinating portrait of the man and his way of working. Traces the beginnings of clay prospecting and refining methods, shows the workshop, forming and decorating methods, firings and finished wares. Also Hamada’s collection of folk art and the annual Mistukoshi exhibition.

Thrown and Altered Clay - Paul Soldner........................................................................... VHS (37 min)
Paul Soldner introduced American-style raku and changed the course of contemporary ceramics. This program traces the evolution of his work over forty years. Shown are over 50 pieces.

Toshiko Takaezu: Portrait of an Artist.............................................................................. VHS (28 min)
A journey into the Zen-like world of an internationally acclaimed potter.  Surreal, volcanic landscapes, a summer garden in rural New Jersey. Compelling images of tea bowls, and 12 foot high ceramic forests.

The World Center For Making Yixing China..................................................................... DVD (53 min)
The first section introduces the environment of Yixing and the history of Yixing teapots. The second section is about the ceramic cultural exchanges between Yixing and the international ceramic world. The last section demonstrates the whole process of Yixing teapot-making techniques demonstrated by well-known artist Meiqun Gu.

Other Videos

Ghost (1990)....................................................................... PG-13  VHS (127min)
Demi Moore, Patrick Swayze and Woopi Goldberg. Fun movie with terrific clay throwing scenes

Why Man Creates (1968)....................................................................... Unknown
A 1968 animated short documentary film which discusses the nature of creativity. It was written by  Saul Bass and Mayo Simon, and directed by Bass. The movie won the Academy Award for Documentary Short Subject. It focuses on the creative process and the different approaches taken to that process. It is divided into eight sections: The Edifice, Fooling Around, The Process, Judgement, A Parable, Digression, The Search, and The Mark.

OPA Member Demos

1990-2003 Miscellaneous Video’s:
OPA Workshop:  Horsley, Lee, Gum, Lampert, Pate, Welsh........... VHS (122min)
OPA and Showcase Footage - Schwab Demo................................. VHS (19 min)
Wood firing: with Hiroshi Ogawa and Jack Troy............................. VHS (30 min)

2004 Showcase Demo's:
Air brushing techniques - Natalie Warrens........................................ VHS (80min)
Inlaid colored clay - Faith Hill........................................................... VHS (67 min)

2005 Ceramic Showcase Demo/General Meeting Demo's:
Adding Texture to Pots Using Handmade Tools - Janet Buskirk..... VHS (110 min)
Art as Spiritual Activity - Jack Walsh.............................................. VHS (110 min)
Big Pot Competition...................................................................... VHS (110 min)
Brush making and Decorating - Frank Gosar.................................. VHS (110min)
Glaze Fit & Clay Bodies - Jim Robinson and David Waln................. VHS (110 min)
Hand building with Colored Clay - Faith Rahill................................ VHS (110 min)
Pushing Clay - Thanhbinh Duong.................................................... VHS (110 min)
Scenes from Showcase 2005, setup, booths, work...................................... DVD
Showcase Demo: Hokkaido Potters.............................................. VHS (110 min)
Slipping into Form - Victoria Christen............................................. VHS (110 min)
Surface Decorating Techniques - Jim Koudelka............................. VHS (110 min)
Teapots - Patrick Horsley............................................................... VHS (110 min)
Throwing Forms off the Hump - Hiroshi Ogawa.............................. VHS (110 min)
Throwing Large and Decorating Techniques - Dave & Boni Deal... VHS (110 min)
Tight Techniques to Loose Expression - Natalie Warrens.............. VHS (110 min)
What's Cooking: How use pottery for cooking - Tom Rohr............ VHS (110 min)
Working with Slabs of Clay - Cynthia Spencer................................. VHS (110min)

2006 Showcase Demonstrations: filmed by Theresa Knight and edited by Diantha Knot
At the Wheel - Karl Knudson.............................................................. VHS (80min)
Hand building Using Flat Coils - Amy Swanson................................. VHS (80min)
Just Something Else to Paint On - Ginger Steele.............................. VHS (80min)
Making and Using Brushes for Pottery - Frank Gosar...................... VHS (80min)
OPA Producing the Largest All Clay Show in the USA.................................. DVD
Platters to Vases: A Thrown Spectrum - Alan Higinbotham.............. VHS (80 min)
Pushing Clay - Thanhbinh Duong....................................................... VHS (80min)
Throwing Large and Surface Design - Dave and Boni Deal............... VHS (80min)
The Vessel as a Canvas - Jim Koudelka............................................ VHS (80min)
Tool Making with Janet Buskirk - Janet Buskirk............... 2 DVDs (44 and 74 min)

2007 Showcase Demo’s: All Demos filmed by Theresa Knight and Edited by Diantha Knot
At the Wheel - Karl Knudson............................................................ DVD (44 min)
Hand building Using Flat Coils - Amy Swanson................................ DVD ( 9  min)
Hand building Using Textured Slabs - Dennis Meiners..................... DVD (36 min)
Impressed Slab Forms With Out Plaster - Ellen Currans.................. DVD (38 min)
Making Figures Using Pottery Techniques - Leslie Lee................... DVD (42 min)
Printing on Clay - Brad Menninga..................................................... DVD (32 min)
Pushing Clay - Thanbinh Duong....................................................... DVD (54 min)
The Nuts and Bolts of a Teapot - Larry Nelson................................ DVD (41 min)
Throwing Porcelain and Slip Decoration - Richie Bellinger............... DVD (47 min)
Traditional Potters of Mexico.......................................... 2 DVDs (28 and 66 min)
These two disks record the demonstrations of traditional techniques used by the Mexican Potters who participated in the 2007 Oregon Potters Association Ceramic Showcase at the Oregon Convention Center.

2008 Showcase Demo's:
Creating Ikebana Art - Ikebana International Sogetsu School............. DVD (30 min)
This 30 minute DVD records the Ikebana Art demonstration given by Keiko Kodachi, Don Davidson and Mary Dickson at the Oregon Potters Association Annual Ceramic Showcase on April 26, 2008. After sequentially making three distinctly individual arrangements, the demonstrators then added additional materials that joined the arrangements together to create one large even more dramatic arrangement that filled the stage.
Northern Lights: Ceramic Art from Hokkaido, Japan...................... DVD (45 min)
As part of their 40th anniversary celebration, the Hokkaido Potters from Sapporo, Japan were invited to exhibit their work here in their Sister City. This 45 minute DVD features the individual artists' work and the ceramic art of the Oregon Potters Association.

How to check-out a video:

1. You must be a current OPA member in good standing.
2. Contact Erik. You may use the on-line form, e-mail, snail-mail, phone, or get it in person at a General Meeting.
3. You must agree to the terms and conditions below.
4. If available, the VHS/DVD will be sent right away.
5. You have one month to view it and then send it back. The cost is under $3 to send back. Please send it back when you are through since we always have waiting lists for the popular titles.
6. If you keep it more than three months or lose it (Erik will harass you to get it back sooner) you will be considered a member not in good standing which could keep you from applying for Showcase, etc., until it is resolved You don't want that!  We want to make these available for everyone and get a better use of them. If you lose it you will need to pay for its replacement. These are OPA assets.

Mail:               Erik Horn
                        7355 SW 188th Pl
                        Beaverton, OR 97007

email:              opavideolibrary@gmail.com
phone:             (503) 819-1493
online form:    http://www.oregonpotters.org

We have started "OPA-FLIX" You can order a video from our library anytime and it will be sent at no cost to you.  No need waiting for the next meeting! There is a wealth of information in these videos.  Don't forget we have all of the Showcase demos. 

Grace Sheese