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

We’re all looking forward to seeing returning members at the October 16^th General Membership meeting. See the AGENDA.
 
Updated policies:  The GCA Board has been busy staying on top of club operations. Please review the new information included in our Club policy Chapter 13; updates are highlighted in green text.  Here is the list of new topics for your review:

• Fiduciary Responsibilities
• Bob Mohr Award
• Monitor Buddy system
• Basic Clay Waiver
• GCA Code of Conduct

Election proceedings:  We have an awesome list of candidates for the 2026 open Board positions. Thanks to the Election Committee for their hard work in pulling this together:  Jean Zeigler, Laurie Jorgensen, Sherry Grundman. Members should review the bio sheets for each candidate so that you’re well informed for voting that will be held in November. Voting will be virtual, so watch your email for notification. Here’s a copy of the list of candidates:  
 
Studio teams:  Our studio operations are dependent on the many volunteers who attend to all that needs to happen. Join me in a big shout out to the coordinator for each team that makes things happen for all of us. 

Charitable Giving	Laura Abraham / Georgene Davis	Cubbies	Sharon Choquette / Karen LeMar
Education	Cindy Wright / Cori Maser	Expansion	Jim Donaldson / Jenny Mleras
Finance	Debbie Meyer / Jim Perez-Wood	Glaze	Jim Donaldson / Elizabeth Folk
IT Hardware Support	Geoff Iverson / Bob Singer	Kiln	Al Dadd / Judy Tilton
Maintenance	Bob Piper, Cliff Ellis, Bob Singer / Jim Perez-Wood	Market Staging	Dave Dick / Judy Climan
Marketing & Design	Jim Perez-Wood / Monique Greer	Membership & Policy	Pat Conlen / Karen LeMar
Monitors	Janet Bonner, Sandi Schulzetenberg / Beckie Alexander	Newsletter	Monique Greer / Jim Perez-Wood
Online Gallery	Chris Mead / Bob Singer	Purchasing	Theresa Fritz / Becki Alexander
Safety	Laura Abraham / Jacqueline Wodach	Sales Events	Cathy Rick / Debbie Luchetti
Social Events	Trish McGinniss / Diane Palley	Studio Gallery	Sherri Singer / Anita Britton
Sunshine	Laurie Jorgensen / Joni Rumback	Website	Karen LeMar / Geoff Iverson
Policies	Pat Conlen / Karen LeMar	Stickers	Sandy Collier
eBlast	Claudia Jorrison / Karen LeMar

The calendar is full with exciting class offerings. Our studio artists offer their time and talents to help members advance their skills and make really COOL stuff! Check out the upcoming classes on the homepage of our website or under "CLASSES" on the menu at the top of the page.

I’d also like to do a special shout out to a few members who really made a difference in developing the talents of our club members over the summer. 

Judy Tilton and Joan Rumbach piloted a new member Basic Clay mentor program that was created to meet the needs of new members who joined GCA during the summer. They worked one-on-one with new members to go through the skills taught in Basic Clay, and boy were they busy! We had 9 new members join during the summer months. 

The second shout out is to James PerezWood who kept the wheels humming all summer long. He offered a wheel class each month, and in September, offered two! That’s a huge time commitment. 

Thanks to these teachers who really invested in our clay club members. 

Let’s make more great creations!

October is a huge transition time, with most members coming back this month. Just a few reminders regarding the dos and don'ts of the in-studio and online gallery.

• We are back to allowing five pieces per artist.
   
• If you have any pieces that have been in the gallery all summer long, please ask to remove them and, hopefully, submit some new work. Remember to request to remove your items from the online gallery first, and then you can submit new pieces to the online gallery. Please only request to remove when you are in the studio to physically remove your piece out of the studio gallery. If you do not remove it right away, there is the chance that someone will come in and want to purchase it, which causes all sorts of chaos and confusion because the piece will no longer show up in the online gallery and the monitor has no option to sell it.
   
• When submitting a new piece of art, please wait until it has been accepted before bringing it into the studio to get staged and placing it in the window facing the parking lot.

Thanks for your cooperation during this busy time. Any questions can be sent my way:  Sherrisinger@hotmail.com or 651-428-5378. 

When did you move to the Grand and where did you move from?
Our first year at The Grand was in October 2024. We spend our summers in Coeur d"Alene, Idaho, on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

When did you become involved with clay arts? I primarily learned clay last year at GCA. However, understanding the elements of arts and creating mixed medium pieces have been part of my life for many years

Would you share something you’ve made that you’re particularly proud of? This sconce was made from reclaimed white clay. I used a brown stain and snow on top. It was easy to make; rolls up like an ice cream cone!

What creative insights or suggestions do you have for beginners? The following are my thoughts and lessons from my experience at the Wheel and the Table. See more of my thoughts and first-year tips by clicking on the link at the end of this article.

Clay takes time. When you run out of time or energy, wrap your piece carefully and let it rest. You can always return to it.
​Check in often. Clay dries at its own pace—sometimes faster, sometimes slower. Adjust as you go.
Reflection is part of the process. Growth, in clay and in life, often comes when we pause and look again.
Keep nails short. Clay prefers steady, even pressure—not gouges.
Leave time for cleanup. It always takes longer than you think! That extra time is also a moment to reflect and adjust.
It’s okay to start over—or not. Both choices are valid.
Some things can be repaired, some can’t—and that’s okay too.
Clay is both intentional and accidental. Be brave enough to experiment, ask questions, and embrace mistakes.
Find your people. Notice the artists who inspire you. Ask about their techniques. Share your own discoveries.
Take notes and photos. You’ll be glad you did when inspiration strikes again.
Wear a great apron—and expect a little clay everywhere. The smudges and dust are proof that you’re creating something real, something from the earth.

Do you have a favorite glaze - GCA and/or one that you’ve purchased? I love the light blue glaze.

What other activities, outside of clay, do you enjoy? I enjoy pickleball, writing, painting, thrifting, golf, and hosting events.

What’s your favorite sandwich and why? Tuna - I love seafood.

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

Welcome back! Here are some quick reminders, as we cruise into the busy season:

Remember the sign-in sheet on the door and observe the two person limit. If you are spraying (in the corner) the room limit is one and you should turn on the vent switch (at eye level).

Use the room for glazing and staining. Waxing should be done in the studio. You may take the container of stain into the studio. Stir… don’t shake.

Please avoid bringing GREENWARE (unfired clay) into the Glaze room. Accidentally dipping unfired clay into the bucket will ruin the glaze. This is a very expensive mistake. If it happens, let the Glaze team know immediately. Fired clay will have a distinctive sound when tapped. Listen to your piece ring before you dip.

We have a small but dedicated team to maintain the glazes and stains. We expect you to clean up. Bucket lids will seal properly if set flat on the bucket. No need to press them down.

We maintain glazes in the Glaze room based on a target value for Specific Gravity for consistent performance. Most reported problems are due to insufficient stirring or application.

To get the best performance on your ware make sure that you:

• STIR THOROUGHLY (yes, 100 strokes) scraping bottom and sides.  
• Use test tiles if in doubt
• Learn the use of ‘Gumsol’ solution (find bottle on the shelf) to improve brush ability and slow drying when brushing on.
• Take a Glazing class

We sieve the glazes to remove contaminants that would create defects in your art. What we often find is a combination of stuff, e.g., grog, chips, trimmings, sponge dust, and paper towel fibers. Please make sure to have rinsed (and dried) your bisqueware before glazing. Don’t use decayed sponges; toss them out.

The house rules have not changed… Club glazes stay at the club. 

The Glaze Room Request form (in binder on top of Microwave) is a great way to let us know of a concern or suggestion. Post it above the sink.

You also have the email option: GlazeLead@GrandClayArts.com 

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

 

This piece was created using latex resist (Tear Mender) followed by a pour of Antique Jade on Charcoal clay. The resist is easily removed using a pin tool before firing.

Here are some things to remember, as we venture back to The Grand:

What if I forgot my username or password? 
On the website homepage, click the Member Login button. Under “Reset Your Password”, type in your Username or Email. The system will email your username and a link to set your password.

What if I forgot my door code or my cubby number?
Logon to the website and click on “Change Contact/Profile Info”. The member profile information includes door code and cubby number, if one is assigned.

How many Service Hours do I have?
Logon to the website; click on Volunteering; click on Volunteering Reports; click the Run Report button. 

How do I check whether I've monitored this year? 
Your Monitor sessions will be listed in this same report.

These tips and many others are contained in this document:
On grandclayarts.com, scroll down to the Member Info section and click on Member Help. Or click here:  TIPS TO REMEMBER

On September 30th, the LPT met with the Architect, GH2. It was a productive meeting with Matt Jennings leading the meeting. He introduced the GH2 Team for our project, which consists of a diverse group of professionals -- each bringing a unique set of talents to the Team. 

GH2 seems to understand the needs for each of the Clubs.  They were very professional with a positive and energetic attitude. They seem very interested and excited to work with each Club to ensure the outcome is something that really works for everyone and something everyone can be proud of. 

For background information on GH2: GH2 Bios

We need more year rounders for the kiln team. Training will be provided. Please consider joining us!

Contact Al Dadd for more information:  aldadd6550@gmail.com
 

 grandclayarts.com