 July 2025 Monthly Newsletter | ||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||
 |
 |
Planning Ahead
The following options are being considered as activities to do when the studio is closed for expansion. See a few examples below. Kudos to the team working on this project team: Pat O’Brien, Cyndi Swintek and Cindy Wright/GCA Instructors).
- Fiber clay classes and projects
- Polymer air dry clay classes and projects
- Making replacement and new molds
- Please bring in Styrofoam crumbles to be used for these molds
- Painting classes for techniques that are “applicable” to pottery work
- Composition, glazing, color and more
- Tile painting for personal use
- Kiln availability/rental being pursued; nothing firm yet
 |
 |
Artist Sales (Gallery and Markets)
Ask buyers if they are a resident of the Grand. Mark the Gallery sale envelope/Market tags with an R for Resident and NR for Non-Resident. Our community gets a tax break for selling to residents versus non-residents. GCA Treasurer will submit a report summarizing sales to residents versus non-residents.
New Purchases
We have purchased several new items that have been on the “to-do” list for a while. Based on member requests, we are testing out new stools for the wheels, new chairs for hand-building tables, new display options for sales events and for future use in the renovated Gallery. Returning members will enjoy the improved comfort and safe handling this Fall. Extending a great big thanks to Jim Perez-Wood for all of his help in researching options, ordering and assembling items, and gathering member feedback. PLEASE CLEAN NEW CHAIRS AND STOOLS WHEN CLEANING UP YOUR SPACE AFTER WORKING. USE CLEAN (WELL RINSED) SPONGE AND WIPE DRY WITH SOFT CLOTH. Thank you.
Hand-building chair with padded seat and back; wheel stools with adjustable height, padded seat, and solid base.
 |
 |
 |
New desk chair with mesh back, vinyl seat and flip up arms.
New portable wall art display unit for sales events and gallery.
New tabletop display units will replace the old tubes and boards for sales events. These are sturdy, collapsible, and easy to lift and store.
 |
 |
Enjoy the rest of your summer and keep cool!
GLAZE ROOM
Glaze Room Poll
We're conducting a short glaze room poll and would like your feedback. Click on the following link if you would like to provide your input. Your name is optional.
https://forms.gle/8S3LvkRGLRXBv3U87
What's Up in July
Penny Gilbert and Jean Zeidler have been minding the glaze room this summer. Thank you!
Pat O'Brien, Leigh Donaldson and I hauled our tools northward this summer in anticipation of joining a local clay club only to find that the owner had decided to sell. Fast forward a few weeks, and Cache Valley Pottery is under new ownership. We became members for the month of July and cranked out ‘a-lot-a-pots’ while helping the new owners understand what they bought and getting them started. We are hopeful that when we visit next summer, this club will be going strong.
 |
 |
Share Your Glaze Combinations
Let us know what glaze combinations you're experimenting with—we're always excited to see and share your results! Send a photo and details to: GlazeLead@GrandClayArts.com
GCA MEMBERS IN THE WILD
Enjoy these photos GCA members wanted to share with you. If you would like to share a photo or story, please let me know. Text 206-420-9864 or email mogreer4az@gmail.com.
Sheila Kovac family Florida Vacation - Crafty rainy time and beach time photos!
Some of Michigan's GCA members in front of Clare RR Depot, a 119 year old train station, dating from the 1800's. It has museum artifacts, an art gallery, and holds art classes as well.
Diane Niehof and Lobo enjoyed July 4th!
GET TO KNOW - Judy Tilton
When did you move to the Grand and where did you move from?
My husband, Larry, and I, and our dog, Zoey, moved here 2 years ago from Lake Cushman Washington. We are both retired.
Out of all the activities available to us here, why did you choose clay arts?
I was fascinated with the idea of taking a slab of clay and being able to create something beautiful.
What other activities do you enjoy - within or outside the Grand?
My husband and I belong to a bowling league. I like swimming, taking care of my husband and our dog.
Many clay-mates followed your months of creating pieces with sunflowers for your daughter's wedding...how did it go? Give us the details!
My daughter’s wedding was beautiful, and the reception was fabulous! The hearts with their names and sunflower (my daughter’s favorite flower) that I created were a big hit with everyone who attended. I also made a platter with sunflowers that she was ecstatic over. In addition, she really liked the wine chiller that had a sweater pattern with sunflowers on the pockets. There were probably a few other items that had the sunflower theme that I’m forgetting about. It was a great wedding and reception!
Note: The glaze on the sunflower bowl - river birch, iron luster, and blue rutile.
When did you start helping out in the Kiln room? What do you enjoy most about it?
Nancy Boggs got me started in the kiln room shortly after I joined the clay club. My biggest excitement is when I open a kiln and it is either Christmas or ugly sweater. It's so fascinating to see how everyone’s creations come out.
Do you prefer cats or dogs?
Dogs for sure! We have had our baby for 12 years now.
Is there something special that you've made this year that you would like to share with us?
I love building the desert landscapes that Pat O’Brien taught us. It's so much fun to see the depth of the picture take shape.
What is your favorite beverage?
Coffee (just black) or water.
Describe in 1 word how you feel when you're playing with mud:
INSPIRED
GCA EXPANSION PLANS UPDATE
The following update is as of July 23, 2025.
In June, the RFP (Request For Proposal) was sent to a number of architectural firms for their consideration.
The agenda for the 7.23.2025 Board meeting included an announcement of the chosen architect by the Project Manager.
The meeting index included the following description:
The re-issued RFP for an Architect (with MEP, Structural, and Civil Engineering support)
for the new Golden Barrel / Prickly Pear Building (home for the Clay / Glass Arts Clubs)
resulted in two qualifying submissions being received (the original RFP send to three
other entities did not yield any positive responses), and GH2 Architects (located in
Scottsdale) has been selected. At time of writing, the final Agreement was being drafted,
and it is expected that the Schematic Design phase will be initiated by mid-to-late-August.
Here is link to the Vimeo channel presentation: https://vimeo.com/1103949552
Tony is apparently out so Jeff made brief comments starting at time offset 34:48
Next steps will be to meet with this architect likely in August.
The architect will be given the following distillation of our club requests for this project. You are welcome to review. Please provide your comments to me at (MHJIMD@gmail.com).
https://drive.google.com/file/
KUDOS TO CATHY RICK
