NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
 January 16, 2025 • 9 AM AZ Time • Hopi Room

We look forward to another fun year that is full of friendship, health and success at advancing our pottery skills. Please stay abreast of our latest news and “happenings” by visiting our webpage on a regular basis. If you’re unable to attend our monthly General Membership Meetings on the third Thursday of each month, please review the draft minutes that are posted on the website Library in the Member’s Area. Be on the lookout for an upcoming survey for all members to provide important information that will help shape our plans for studio expansion. We hope to see you at our February 10th member party as we celebrate bringing in the new year (details provided below).

CHEERS to YOU, Cathy and Nancy

FRIENDLY REMINDERS 

• All studio equipment remains at the studio for use in studio only.
• Please do not use pin tools on molds or wheel bats as they are damaging to both.
• Do not cut up our studio large sponges for use as support for your pieces or for glazing.
• Please consider making some stilts for your pieces. Handle the studio stilts with care. (Do not over-glaze your pieces as the drips cannot be cleaned off of the studio stilts once fired.)
• Please clean the ware boards of clay and glazes after use.

By practicing these habits we can salvage some equipment and  spare the studio extra expenses.
Thank you.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to have a few issues obtaining tools from Marjon as they work through supply issues. 

Please continue to fill in your Member Special orders on the sheet posted on the peg board by the glaze room.

MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE ON 1/15!

Thank you to everyone who has made the decision to continue their membership!  However, if you have not paid by 1/15, you will no longer be considered a member and will not be allowed to work in the studio.

You still have a few days!  
You may use your previously emailed invoice to pay online. Alternatively, you can go to the website to pay:

• grandclayarts.com
• Member Login (red button, upper right of the screen)
• Billing Info (under the "Member Dashboard")
• Pay Membership Dues/Fees

If you have questions, please let me know...webmaster@grandclayarts.com

We've had some reports of "phishing", using club members' contact information.  

Phishing is a fraudulent practice of sending emails claiming to be from reputable companies or individuals, to convince people to either send gift cards, money electronically or reveal personal information.

Please be wary of any email that "just doesn't seem right":

• Look at and question the email address of the sender.
• Be very wary of requests for money or other financial information.
• Never send money electronically without verifying the validity of such a request!
• If you send email to a large distribution list of recipients, use the BCC option (Blind Carbon Copy), such that the entire list of addresses is not displayed in the email.  (Note that GCA eBlasts and Newsletters use this option.)
• Stay vigilant!

Know that the Grand Clay Arts website takes careful precautions to keep data and emails secure.  
No personal financial information is stored in the GCA database.
If you do have concerns, contact webmaster@grandclayarts.com

General Information for GCA Members
From Georgene Davis

Supporting the Community in Times of Crisis: Volunteer Crisis Response Team

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department’s Volunteer Crisis Response (CR) Team is a compassionate group dedicated to supporting individuals and families during emergencies. While firefighters and paramedics handle live-saving medical needs, the CR Team focuses on emotional care and practical assistance, ensuring no one faces a crisis alone.

Volunteers provide support in situations such as house fires, vehicle accidents, medical emergencies, death of loved ones and other traumatic incidents. Their role includes comforting those affected, connecting them with community resources and organizations for future and immediate needs like temporary housing transportation, or contacting family members.

This invaluable service allows first responders to return to emergency operations while ensuring community members receive the care and support they need. The CR Team is an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a difference during challenging moments.

For more information or to learn about volunteer opportunities, visit
surpriseaz.gov/388/crisis-response.

Seven Grand Clay Arts members submitted entries into the WHAM Third Annual All Things Clay Art Exhibit this month. This is a juried show in both hand-building and wheel-thrown categories. Pieces on display are available for sale. Exhibiting members include:  

                                      Janet Bonnar         Pat O'Brien 
                                      Monique Greer      Jim Perez-Wood 
                                      Sheila Kovac         Mary Wolke  
                                      Diane Niehof 








WHAM – WHAT's Happen'in Art Movement – has become know as the West Valley's primary art center, providing a diverse range of art activities, from painting and pottery to poetry, to supplement the art departments of all West Valley cities. WHAM has more than 300 members including many educators. 

The All Things Clay Art Exhibit is showing through January 30 in the WHAM Gallery, 16560 N. Dysart Road. The exhibit is open to the public, Tuesdays through Saturday 10 am - 4 pm. Admission is free. Visit https://www.wham-art.org for more information.

We are looking for a member who would like to take on the important role of supporting the Online Gallery. The tasks (training provided) and skills for this volunteer role include:

• Posting Gallery submissions on the website
• Loading the Square (point of sale) system with the pieces for sale
• Managing the Online Gallery team (scheduling and support)
• Being comfortable using the website to:
  • Input details of the items for sale.
  • Process sales through a series of predefined steps.
• Experience with Square or willing to learn about it.
• Attention to detail, such that all info about the pieces match up in the two systems.

 grandclayarts.com