June 2023
GCA Newsletter

General Membership Meeting

The next General Membership Meeting of Grand Clay Arts will be held on September 21, 2023, at 9:00 AM in the Hopi Room of Chaparral Center.

Message from the President

Bruce Lucas

The summer months have arrived!

 

The Grand is now reaching near 100 degree temps on a daily basis. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the Clay Arts studio to it’s fullest. Fewer members in town equals lots of room to spread out and create your latest clay art creation!

 

During the summer months, the Studio and Gallery remain fully operational and open to all members. The kiln and glaze rooms function as usual, along with potter’s wheel and hand-building areas. Several members take on the 12-month, day-to-day club operational responsibility. Throughout the summer, the monthly newsletter will feature several of these members. They will be “highlighted” for generously volunteering their time in support of GCA.

 

June “highlighted” member: Terry Cullen

Terry prefers to operate behind the scenes. However, the impact of Terry’s efforts is appreciated on several levels. While you’re away, the Gallery, both on-line and in-studio, is operating at a high level due to Terry’s focused direction. These efforts ensure your art work is displayed and featured throughout the summer months equally both on-line and in-studio. Thank you Terry!

 

June “highlighted” member: Debbie Meyer

GCA bills are paid monthly. The flow of checks covering everything from clay purchases to storage unit invoices are paid on time without delay year around. This is due to Debbie’s efforts as the GCA Treasurer. Besides operational expenses, Debbie also keeps track of the club’s budget records as well as reports needed by CAM. These reports are always up to date and submitted on a monthly or quarterly basis throughout the year. Thank you Debbie!

 

Grand Clay Arts 2024 Elections

The 2024 GCA elections will be held during the November General Membership Meeting. The subject was covered last month (May Newsletter) by GCA Membership Director, Pat Conlen. Should you have interest in serving on the board, please get in touch with Jean Zeidler. Jean heads the search committee for potential club officers.

 

The Beat Goes On…..for studio expansion needs.

GCA membership is 260 residents thru early June. The club’s expanding membership base plus the Grand Board focus on the Village Center project underscores GCA needs for additional space. Community leadership envisions the Village Center as a Visual Arts activity area. In order to fully realize this vision, the seven Visual Arts clubs need immediate attention. Clay Arts is on top of the list to be addressed concerning this issue. However, the Grand community board has set priorities that place Granite Falls golf area and Angela’s restaurant ahead of Visual Arts’ needs. Will keep you updated as plans continue to develop.

 

Have a great month!

Nominating Committee

Jean Zeidler

The Committee is pleased to announce that several members have stepped forward and will stand for positions on the Board.  However, per our by-laws, we all received an email inviting all eligible members to nominate themselves or others.  The committee has not received any email replies.  We are urging you to please think seriously about serving on the Board.  Our urgency is that we are obligated to announce a slate at the October 2023 Board meeting and subsequent General Membership Meeting.  Voting will be at the November 2023 General Membership Meeting.

Thanks.
 

IT Corner

Karen LeMar

Looking for ways to earn service hours and get involved in the club?  Volunteer to serve on one of the club's committees!  To find a complete list of committees:
Log in to the website.
Click on the "Engagement" dropdown, then GCA Committees.
You will see a full list of the committees plus a little bit about each one.  Click on any that are of interest to you to learn more.  You can contact the committee leader by clicking on the sign-up link.

Also, on the Homepage, you can find a link to our "WANTED!" poster.  Here you can contact the leads of committees that need immediate help.

Reminder:  You can get many of your questions answered on our website under Member Help.  OR...email questions to webmaster@grandclayarts.com.

Glaze Room

Jean Zeidler

Jim Perez-Wood and Jean Zeidler are the caretakers for the entire summer, unless either one does a spontaneous getaway!  The results of Jim Donaldson's research into our glaze consumption has led us to consider taking four of the least consumed glazes that are currently in 5-gallon buckets and making them available in 1-1/2 gallon brush-on buckets.  We will gain precious space, always a plus for maintenance.  The Glaze Committee is currently considering which ones will be transitioning.  Thank you for helping keep our glaze room spotless.

 

Jim Perez-Wood

Jean Zeidler

A shout out to a great member who is learning (and teaching me some things) about glaze!  Considering that he is also on the Kiln Committee PLUS he's helping Connie Johnson keep all the slips up to date, Jim is totally embracing the GCA lifestyle.  I'm pretty sure I'm leaving something out, like doing the clay traps or such.  I don't care how new he is, I'm gonna nominate him for the Bob Mohr Award.  Additionally, he is a killer wheel thrower and his glazing and slip work are amazing.  Just saying . . .

That's all for now!

Upcoming Classes and Events

Lynne Shanrock

 

Class/Event

Date

Time

Instructor

Basic Clay

6/6, 13, 20

3-6

Connie Johnson

Rainbow Shave NEW!

6/22

3-6

Connie Johnson

Basic Glazing

6/27

3-6

Connie Johnson

Basic Clay

7/11, 18, 25

3-6

Connie Johnson

Claytangle NEW!

7/12, 13

3-6

Connie Johnson

Sundancer Luminaria

7/19

6-10

Lynne Shanrock

 

Please check Event Registration on our website for the most up-to-date information.

If you are interested in a specific subject or project, please send an email to Education@grandclayarts.com.

 

GCA Newsletter - June 2023