GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING
October 16, 2025 • 9 AM PT • Pima Room

Looking forward to seasonal members returning from their summertime away. We will launch our Fall season with the General Membership meeting on October 16^th at 9am in the Chapparal Center. We will be voting for 2026 Board positions in November this year. Board position nominations close soon; use the link on our member’s homepage to submit nominations.  

The Grand Open House is scheduled for Friday October 24^th from 8-11am in the Sonoran Ballroom. We are grateful for Sandi Schulztenberg's and Cyndi Swintek’s availability to represent our club at the Open House. GCA members are encouraged to attend to learn more about other Charter Clubs and City of Surprise services. 

The upcoming 2025 Fall outdoor Grand Market sales days are scheduled for October 4^th and November 1^st. GCA is a member of the Grand’s Artisan Fusion group. This group represents Grand’s visual arts clubs. Artisan Fusion is responsible for planning each year’s Fall Fest. The 2025 Fall Fest is scheduled for November 8^th. GCA will have 10 tables for participating artists to display their art for sale. Our designated space for the Fall Fest is in the grassy area located just outside our back door. We will be looking for members to demonstrate wheel art in the Sonoran Ballroom. Sandi Schulztenberg and Cyndi Swintek have agreed to take the lead on planning and hosting our “make and take” workshop that will be set up in the Sonoran Ballroom. Laura Abraham serves as the Charitable Giving Fall Fest Coordinator. 

Members will receive an email invitation to participate in the November Market and/or the Fall Fest. Members can request to participate via the web link on our home page.  Sign up will be open for both events from October 1st-15^th.  

The fall class schedule is posted. Don’t miss these two classes teaching you how to make these beauties, just in time for the fall and the holidays. There are many classes to choose from, so be sure to check out the full list of class offerings. 

**New class: Textured Trees, takes place on October 1, offered by Debby Luchetti

Pumpkins and Snowmen Using Templates, takes place on Oct 23 and 30, offered by Sandi Schulzetenberg 

 

Starting October 1st, we will be back to allowing 5 pieces of pottery for gallery display. If you’ve had your art on display all summer, please request to remove your work from the gallery and consider putting new pieces in.  

Remember to have a distinct name for your pieces, as it really helps with sales and processing. Each brown gallery tag should have your name, price, and the name of the piece. Submit online with a picture and place the pottery in the front window. When your pottery is accepted to the online gallery, it will then be placed for display in the studio gallery.  

I will return to the Grand on October 11th. Anita Britton will be taking care of the in-studio gallery display until I return. Any questions can be sent my way:  Sherrisinger@hotmail.com or 651-428-5378. See you soon.

When did you move to the Grand and where did you move from?
Born in Chicago, we moved to California when I was 3. In August 2020, I moved to the Grand with my parents from Southern California.

When did you become involved with clay arts? 
I first became involved with ceramics when I was in high school. When we moved to the Grand, I was very excited to join Grand Clay Arts. 

Would you share something you made over the summer that you’re particularly proud of?
During the summer, I made a few turtles using the following Mayco Low Fire glazes: Elements Denim Blue, Caribbean Blue, and Mayco Jungle Gems Azure.



You will often see me working with my grandkids. They love spending time with me and have made some amazing pieces. My grandkids like using Mayco Elements, Jungle Gems, and Stroke 'n Coat glazes.

What creative or other activities do you participate in?
I make custom wreaths for various holidays and any other idea someone might come up with. During the Fall and Winter, you can find me at various Markets in and around Surprise with my wreath creations. 

Do you have a favorite glaze(s)? 
I really enjoy using glazes that are brushed on. Glazes by Mayco, Amaco, and Coyote high fire are my favorites. I also use Mayco low fire Elements and Jungle Gems quite often.

Describe in 1 word how you feel when you’re playing with mud: 
RELAXED

Hope everyone had a good summer and that those living in The Grand over the summer enjoyed the less-crowded studio. I look forward to being back soon and playing in the clay!  

Service Hours:  As many of us are returning, I thought this would be a good time to talk about service hours.  

If you swipe your CAM ID card at the club, and your name shows up on the computer screen with a yellow box, you are short on service hours and, therefore, not in good standing. To be in good standing, you must maintain 12 service hours.  

If you reside in The Grand less than 90 days during the year, you must maintain 9 service hours.

Members not in good standing are not allowed to use studio glazes, fire pieces, take classes, purchase supplies, or sell pieces in the gallery or at market.  

If you want to know how many services hours you have, login to grandclayarts.com and scroll down and click on "Volunteer Reporting". You can run a report showing the number of service hours you have.  

The best way to get your service hours is to monitor, monitor, monitor. The club can always use monitors!  
 
Passwords:  If you forget your password or username, go to grandclayarts.com, and click on the "Member Login" tab at the top right corner. Click on the "Login" box which says, "Forgot Username or Password?" located just below the boxes for password and username. Follow the prompts for the reset. 

As of September 21, the current plan is to start face-to-face interaction with the architect at the end of September. We are expecting weekly meetings.

We also expect Tony to provide an update on the project status at the next Grand BOD meeting. The meeting agenda and content will likely be posted on Tuesday, September 23rd via The Grand News of the Day email.

Everyone monitors!

As you know, our club policy is that all members need to monitor at least once per year.  Shifts are 3-hours, and you will get 3 service hours per shift. It's a great way to meet fellow members and learn more about the workings of the club. In October, a list of members who have not monitored so far this year will be made available, so folks can plan accordingly, before the end of the year.

Monitor Buddies:  There is another opportunity to meet the monitor requirement, which is to volunteer to be a "monitor buddy" for a newer member or any member who is not completely comfortable monitoring. Monitor buddies will earn 1 service hour per shift, plus this will meet the annual monitoring requirement. Buddies may work on their own projects, as long as they are available during the entire monitor shift. 

Please contact Janet Bonnar at denjanbonnar@gmail.com if you are interested in being a buddy. Those who buddy - please enter a "Log Buddy Hours" form on the homepage, to receive credit.

 grandclayarts.com