 January 2026 Monthly Newsletter | |||||||
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Clay body: Red BMix
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The next two pieces are by Irina Bowman.
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Clay body: Speckled Buff
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Clay body: B Mix with grog
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EDUCATION
Have you checked out the January class offerings? They are awesome!
New (or relatively new) Classes:
- Just Hanging Around: Make unique abstract people and learn interesting stain and glazing techniques.
- Abstract Faces Wallhanging: Make fun, funny, clever faces in a set of three. Work on texture application and using underglazes.
- Artistic Succulent Containers: Make these unique, one-of-a-kind planters and improve your construction techniques.
These and other class projects are displayed along the patio windows.
And there’s a special “try it” alternative fire opportunity for FREE. By signing up, you can participate in Splash Obvara and learn the process first hand. Space is very limited, so sign up soon.
IF you are new and want to learn more about working with clay— take a class. Each class lists the skills you will learn. No matter what you take, you will make cool stuff and become a better clay artist.
IF you’ve been a Clay Club member for awhile, check out the classes because there are new things to learn, interesting things to make, and always some great people to meet in your next class.
JOIN THE IT TEAM
HELP WANTED!
Our IT Team is bidding farewell to two of our valued volunteers:
Ruth Bell
Sam Valenti
We thank them both for their work with the various aspects of our website!
If you are interested in learning more about the workings of our website, please consider volunteering for one of these tasks:
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Maintain the Volunteer sign-up CalendarThis involves inputting time slots onto the Volunteer Calendars monthly and takes about 1 hour.
- Manage our FaceBook site
Confirm potential members and monitor content. This is done as needed, possibly .5 hour monthly. Familiarity with FaceBook is helpful but not a requirement.
- Backup Webmaster
Lots of things to do and lots of things to learn about!
These roles have detailed "how-to" guides, and you'll be fully trained in the task.
Please contact me if you are interested in learning more: karen.lemar@gmail.com.
SPECKLED BLUE GRAY CHALLENGE
The SPECKLED BLUE GRAY GLAZE CHALLENGE deadline of January 31 is right around the corner.
Cyndi Swintek kindly made these amazing sample glaze tiles so you can see how most of our glazes work with this blue-gray tone. There are some very interesting results. Checkout the actual plates located in the Glaze Room.
Remember that the contest calls for the Speckled Blue Gray to be visible on the piece, but that doesn’t mean part of your piece can’t include it combined with another glaze. Cyndi provided the following additional information for consideration.
I used two heavy coats on top of the Speckled Blue Gray. Keep in mind that some glazes are heavier than others, so results may be different. For example, Celadon glazes will be thinner; if a Celadon glaze is underneath a heavier glaze, it helps make it run, so that would look totally different. I didn’t try applying the gray to the top of these other glazes and assume that would produce a different look as well.
Timing: Your piece must be completed by Friday, January 31, 2026.
Rules? Yes, there are a few easy rules. Take a handout from the folder on the high-top tables in the studio for more information.
Prizes? YES! This year, we have 5 prizes. The details on the categories for judging are outlined in the handout as well.
Questions? We would be happy to answer your questions.
Irene - irene@jichap.com; Monique - mogreer4az@gmail.com
SUPPLY
A very Happy New Year to everyone!
With the new year comes the regular price increases for a few items, passed on by manufacturing to our suppliers and then, of course, on to GCA. These price changes may be reflected in your special orders. Although the cost of clay has increased, our Board of Directors has voted that the pricing to our members WILL NOT INCREASE. This is great news!
Glaze Catalogs and Ordering
To our new members, a big welcome and a few notes. You will find helpful catalogs of Amaco Glazes and under-glazes in a binder behind the monitors desk. Please ask for assistance when ordering should you need help. For the Mayco line of products, there are large posters on the back and behind the Glaze Room door.
The "Member Special Order Form" can be found on the peg board near the Glaze Room entrance. Orders generally go in at the end of each week and are filled, when available, the following week. Should you require a specific tool, please check out the showcase of tools in the storage room first before ordering.
*IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL MEMBERS*
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Our Grand Clay Art equipment such as ware boards, all molds, banding wheels, texture tools and so on MUST REMAIN IN THE STUDIO and are for studio-use only.
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Please be very careful with the handling of the plaster molds as they are very fragile. Do not use oils on these molds, use corn starch only and always wipe clean after use for the next members use.
- We also ask that you refrain from cutting up or using the large sponges to support your art work. Both large and small sponges are available for purchase at the studio.
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If anything is found in the studio that belongs to another member, please turn it in to the Monitor on duty to be placed in the member's cubby or, if no name on the item or member doesn't have a cubby, place in the lost and found.
Thank you for your cooperation in keeping GCA equipment in good condition for all to enjoy.
SPECIAL MARCH MARKET OPPORTUNITY
Spring Arts & Craft Faire is Saturday, March 21st from 9-2
Let's get creative! This show is a wonderful opportunity to spotlight our many talented artists and promote our amazing club. This is a CAM-sponsored event, and each club will be provided with six 8' tables. Due to limited space, members will be allowed to submit up to 10 pieces plus "back up" pieces to replace sold items. Sign up will be through our website from February 1st through the 15th. Detailed information will be sent via eBlast invitation by the end of January.
Upcoming Garden Club EXPO
Garden Club fundraiser raffle tickets will be available for purchase in our studio and will apply to all donated prizes from the other participating Art Fusion Clubs as well as other Expo vendors. If you are interested in submitting a donated piece for our raffle basket, those donations must be submitted to me by this Wednesday. Janet Wear has volunteered to assemble our basket next week, and it will soon be on display in our studio.
Questions or comments to Debby Luchetti at debbyluchetti@aol.com
GET TO KNOW - PAT CONLEN
What brought you to The Grand? I was living in Seattle and visited a friend in AZ Traditions. I liked the idea of so many things to do in a retirement community and the AZ weather was great. I chose The Grand because it had more amenities.
What were you doing professionally prior to retirement? I was an auditor for the Department of Defense for most of my career, working in Seattle.
Of all the activities available to us here, why did you choose Clay Arts? What other activity/activities do you enjoy? I have always loved pottery. When I first moved here in 2018, I came to a Grand Market and toured the clay club. I saw all the beautiful pottery people were creating at the club and met some friendly, talented, and encouraging potters; namely, Debby Luchetti and Janet Wear. I joined immediately and was obsessed! I tried a couple other activities, but they just got in the way of pottery.
Is there something special that you've recently made on the wheel or hand-built that you would like to share with us? I think I've made over 30 mugs, but recently, I've been making hanging and standing totems. I mostly use speckled buff. I like using different glazes and colors on each piece. Stroke and Coat and Indigo Float work well because they are stable.
Describe in 1 word how you feel when you're playing with mud: FOCUSED
LET'S MAKE SOME SLIP
Have you ever noticed containers on the back counter below the slip jars containing "dry bits" of clay?
When you see them in that location, it is a sign that the club is in need of tiny pieces of dry clay to make slip. If you have pieces (tiny pieces) left over from a project, please let them dry and then place them in the appropriate jar.
Thank you for your help!
CHAPARRAL SHOWCASE
Grand Clay Arts, along with each of The Grand Artisan Fusion Clubs, maintains a display case in the Chaparral Building. This is both an opportunity to feature the creativity of our members, and a promotional tool for the club. The display is updated throughout the year to capture the attention of residents and generate interest in joining or supporting Grand Clay Arts.
Please consider loaning a piece to display!
How To Participate and What to Expect
Members in good standing may display their work.
Pieces may be for sale, or not for sale. Artists must have a W-9 on file for items available to sell. Standard 15% commission applies.
Include a standard white Market Sale tag with each item. Tags are available in the box next to the laptop in the window. Tags must include your name, title and price of the piece, or marked NFS (Not For Sale).
Size is limited to the space of suspended glass shelves. Maximum artwork size: 16 inches tall by 16 inches wide by 8 inches deep.
Pieces will be kept on display, generally, for 3-6 months. Items are enclosed behind a locked glass door.
A list of the pieces on display will be kept at the monitor desk. Monitors should do the following:
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Refer to the list for customers interested in purchasing pieces.
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Inform customers of the price of the piece, or that it is Not For Sale. Inform the customer the piece will be available for pickup within two days.
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Process sales as a Market Sale. Remove the white ticket from the display list, then place it in a white gallery envelope and deposit the ticket the drop box.
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Take the customer’s name and phone number to be contacted when the item is ready.
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Alert Jim Perez-Wood or Diane Niehof to retrieve the item.
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Items will be kept at the Monitor’s desk for pickup.
If you have a piece you would like to loan to the display, please see Diane Niehof or Jim Perez-Wood.
A TRIBUTE TO LYNNE SHANROCK
We recently lost a good friend, a skilled potter, and an excellent teacher, Lynne Shanrock, who passed away on December 27, 2025.
After retiring, Lynne moved to Arizona with her beloved partner, Jack McCaskill. They were among the first residents of Sun City Grand.
Lynne was part of the excitement and energy when Bob Mohr got $25,000 from CAM (circa 1997) to start the clay club, then known as Grand Ceramics. She, Bob Mohr, Richard Dye, Walt Fuller, and Jerry Osborn can be seen in old photos standing around the original Raku kiln.
Lynne was skilled in many areas of clay. She was involved in the large clay mosaic mural on the outside of the Surprise Library. She was in charge of education and involved in club leadership for many years. She’s best known for her hanging totems and Kachina dolls. Her influence will remain with us.
There will be no Memorial Service. Instead, donations in Lynne’s memory may be made to the Arizona Humane Society, honoring her love of animals.
