Once again, through the efforts of our generous members, Grand Clay Arts has made the pages of the Surprise Independent!

Once upon a time, Grand Clay Art's studio looked different than it does today.  As you may have seen on our website, this is the new COVID-19 studio layout for GCA.

                  
Here are a few photos of the studio

Face masks required    --    All who go forth must sign a CAM Waiver.                       
  
                                                       

Safety first.  Hand sanitizer and disinfectant available throughout the studio.  Monitor shielded from unwelcome airborne visitors.
                                                             

Work tables separated for social distancing.
                                                         

Standing and sitting wheels also provide separation, therefore some are not available for use.
                                                           

If you want to come in for just a couple of minutes to check on your projects, we have a process for that.
                                                              

PLUS, we have one-way traffic just like in your local grocery store.
                                                                

So come on in and enjoy the new look to our studio.  Be prepared to be amazed or just come in and play in the clay!  (Reservations Required)

Welcome back, everyone!  I hope you are finding the club a fun and refreshing change from the doldrums of the past few months.

Reserving Studio Time
We appreciate everyone reserving studio space on the website using This Week and Next Week.  Note that whether you are reserving time from home or in the studio, you do not need to log in to the website.  This Week and Next Week links can be accessed right off the Home Page without logging in.

This new reservation procedure, coupled with using the In & Out sign-in sheet, helps manage the number of folks inside the club and keeps us safe and healthy while we play in the clay.

Service Hours
We hope you are taking advantage of the quicker, easier way to record your non-monitoring service hours .  Simply jot down your hours on the sheets provided and drop them in the box by the reservation laptop.

Door Code (Keypad) Coordinator
Our long-time Coordinator, Sue Gunderson, will not be back in Surprise for a while.  In her stead, Geoff Iverson will manage the door codes.  Contact him at divedry@gmail.com with any issues.  Thank you, Geoff!  Sue, stay well and enjoy your time away!

Club Activity Photos
As you have been seeing in newsletters and eBlasts, club members have been very industrious during the closure!  Some of the activities have been captured on film by our Marketing Chair, Sharon Lucia.  The photos are posted on the website . . .

• From the Home Page, click on Gallery at the top of the page.
• Click on a "Volume," then click on any photo.
• From there, you can scroll through the photos in the Volume.
• Also notice the small "i" in the upper left corner of the display area.
• Click on the "i" to see titles and captions for each photo.

Enjoy!

Community Reopening Update
The SCG Board of Directors continues to reopen campus amenities based on the decreasing COVID-19 daily infection trend.  Activities approved for reopening last week include several indoor charter clubs as well as the indoor walking track and both gyms.

Face coverings and masks continue to be required to gain access to all indoor amenities.  Neck gaiters and transparent face shields are no longer authorized face coverings.  For sure, face coverings may be a challenge for some when participating in walking track and gym activities.  CAM is compelled to require face coverings in the gyms and walking track due to state guidelines.

Studio Update
Time flies . . . GCA Studio has now been open several weeks operating within COVID-19 guidelines.  This Week / Next Week home page reservation system is working well.  Also, members needing assistance to reserve studio time please stop by the GCA lobby.  A laptop is available.  The on-duty monitor will offer guidance through the easy-to-use This Week / Next Week process to reserve a studio work session.

Monitor Hand Book
A link has been added to the GCA website home page leading directly to a copy of the current Monitor Hand Book.  The link may be handy for those of us needing to review procedures prior to a monitor engagement.

Purchasing Clay?

• Close out clay on sale for $10.00 per 25 pound bag while supplies last
• Fresh clay will be available approximately 9/17/20 at $14.00 per 25 pound bag

Glaze Room
Thank You . . . to the mystery member covering all the glaze buckets with cellophane wrap when the studio was closed down.  Following five months of club inactivity, Jean and Jeanne (Glaze Committee members) found that with moderate stirring, the glazes were ready for use.  Thank you!

Final note.  Our studio is operating successfully within COVID-19 guidelines.  This is due to everyone's efforts to keep the studio clean and safe for fellow members.

Thank you!

Yes, we are ready to get rolling in the education department.  Recent classes have been for our new members and we have had a number of new members join in the past couple of months.

Basic Clay September (full)      9/8, 9/15, 9/22        3:00 to 6:00 PM  Pat O'Brien, Instructor

Basic Clay October                  10/6, 10/13, 10/20   3:00 to 6:00 PM  Pat O'Brien, Instructor

These classes are by invitation only.  If you are a new member and haven't taken the Basic Clay class and wish to do so, please contact Jennifer Michaels (jmmpsm@hotmail.com).

Please keep your eye on our website for the latest class additions.  They will be listed on the Calendar of Events.  In keeping with the COVID-19 guidelines, class sizes are limited so register if you see something of interest.