The next meeting of Grand Clay Arts will be Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 9AM via Zoom.  Link will be provided via email blast or on the homepage of our website.

Community Update

The Sun City Grand Board of Directors met March 10 to approve reopening additional clubs and amenities to community residents.  Also included in the meeting is the decision to expand current participation limits to select community amenities. Thursday's update is driven by the boards' belief that reengagement in shared activities is key to successful community life.  Review the SCG website for detailed information concerning the boards' decisions.

Grand Clay Arts building and current membership participation guidelines remain in place.  The SCG Board continues to require that masks be worn in all SCG indoor facilities.  This continued requirement is in accordance with CDC guidelines.

Studio News

Kiln Issues
Thank you to members Cliff Ellis and Steve Meldrum for replacing the elements in kilns number five and six last week.  Their skilled efforts yielded a substantial saving to the club as opposed to hiring a third party to do the job.

New Slab Roller
The GCA Board voted last week to replace the studio's current slab roller.  The current slab roller is in need of attention.  Rather than continue to invest in costly repairs, the board decided a high-grade, professional slab roller would be an excellent replacement for the existing hobby grade unit.  The new slab roller carries a five year guarantee and can be delivered in six to seven weeks.  The final approval rests with the membership.  We look forward to your positive vote during Thursday's Zoom meeting.

Studio Participation Guidelines
GCA current membership is slightly above 200 members.  Based on current COVID-19 studio work station limitations, it appears that membership is in balance with studio capacity guidelines,  Please continue to support current participation of GCA COVID-19 standards.

Reserving Studio Workstation Time Slots
Please note the established guidelines for reserving time slots and studio workstations.  As an example:

• Members reserving a three-hour, 9 to noon, workstation time slot are asked to refrain from reserving an additional three hours, 12 to 3. at the same station totaling six hours.
• Members are invited, at the conclusion of a three hour session, to review the in-studio computer for additional workstation availability.  Members are welcome to reserve an additional three hour session on an unoccupied workstation.  At that point, please enter your name in the available time slot and enjoy!

The workstation guidelines were established upon club reopening to offer all members an equal opportunity to enjoy studio benefits.  Hopefully the sharing approach to reservations and three hour time limits per workstation is accomplishing that objective.

Sunshine Notifications
Please take a moment to sign Sunshine cards that may appear on the studio lobby table.  These messages of goodwill and encouragement are certainly appreciated by the recipients.  Should you become aware of a member going through a rough patch and wish to have good tidings forwarded, please go to the GCA website homepage where a link is available to the Sunshine Committee.  Upon your submission, a card will be placed in the studio lobby for members' signatures.  The card is mailed to the member after a couple of days.

Name Tags
The following nametags are available for members to pick up in the studio lobby:
 
I look forward to "seeing" you at the upcoming Zoom general membership meeting on Thursday.

A couple of reminders to help with managing your volunteer hours:

• Check your service hours - Once you have logged in, click on "Volunteering" and then "Volunteering Reports."
• Are you a part-time member?  Part time is specifically defined as residing in SCG for three months or less.  If so, you can go to "Change Contact/Profile Info" to update your status.

Also, many common questions about using the website are answered on the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) link on the homepage.

I hope this is helpful.  As always, you can email me with any questions (webmaster@grandclayarts.com).

On the first of each month, gallery pieces that have been posted for more than a month are removed.  The first "rotation" was completed on March 1 and we have many more new items submitted!  Don't forget that items may be brought back after 30 days.

Welcome new Gallery team members!  Terry Cullen is managing the website posting.  Renee Silverman is working with Nancy Boggs and Nancy Quinlisk in the studio to display the art and manage the sales.  Thank you all for your diligent work!

How do you know if there are new classified ads posted?  Check the "New Classifieds Added (date)" on the homepage. Now you can know at a glance when there is something new and fun to check out!

We are looking forward to doing Naked Raku in April, which is one of the most exciting alternative firings.  Preparation is divided into two parts:  Thursday, April 1, we will tape pieces and dip into sacrificial slip.  Next is Saturday, April 3, when we will dip pieces into sacrificial glaze and remove the tape.  Finally, on Monday following Easter, we will be firing the work and removing the shell formed by the sacrificial slip and glaze.  This process leaves the surfaces "naked."  Participants will work as a team to reveal the exciting results of this process.

Prepare to be amazed!  You don't have to be an expert in clay in order to enjoy this experience.  Clay work, whether hand built or thrown, should be made from WS-5 clay or equivalent, and have smooth surfaces, coated with terra sigillata and placed on the window shelf for a special low bisque firing.  Plan now to participate or watch!  And now that you know what Naked Raku is, please come fully clothed!

Sadly, our current Shimpo Slab Roller has gotten tired.  The Board has researched replacements and, once final membership approval is received for acquisition, the Shimpo Slab Roller will be sold.  It is approximately three years old, will be great in a personal studio and will be available to relocate to a new home in one to two months.  Assuming approval during the general meeting on Thursday, we are offering it to members for $300.  For more information, please call Bruce Lucas at 908/242-1797 or Donna Rozman at 970/275-5474. 

Class Name	Date	Time	Instructor
Underglaze This! Mixer	3/13	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Mary King Full
Hand Building/Carving	3/16, 18, 23, 25	6:00 – 9:00 PM	Brian Marx Full
Doc is in #8 Mixer	3/17	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof Full
Stampin’ Impressions Mixer	3/19	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien Full
Desert Landscape	3/22, 4/1	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien Full
You Can Handle This Mixer	3/26	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Donna Rozman
Pinch Pot Mixer	3/29	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Anita Britton Full
Underglaze This! Mixer	3/30	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Mary King
Naked Raku	4/1 Prep 4/3 Prep 4/5 Firing	6:00 – 9:00 PM 3:00 – 5:00 PM 7:00 – 10:00 AM	Diane Niehof
Textured Planter	4/2	6:00 – 9:00 PM	Lynne Shanrock
Basic Clay	4/6. 13, 20	3:00– 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien
Ombre – April #1	4/7	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Doctor is In #9 Mixer	4/8	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Underglaze This! Mixer	4/9	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Mary King
Super Fun, Super EZ Underglaze Transfer	4/11	9:00 AM– 2:00 PM Studio will be closed for duration of class	Diane Niehof
Beginning Wheel	4/12, 15, 26, 29	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Pat O’Brien
Doctor is In #10 Mixer	4/14	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Doctor is In #11 Mixer	4/16	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Owl Luminary	4/19	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Bonnie Green
Ombre - April #2	4/21	3:00 – 6:00 PM	Diane Niehof
Mudhead Luminaria	4/23	6:00 – 9:00 PM	Lynne Shanrock

 

Class space is filling up quickly. If you are interested in one of these classes, sign up NOW or wait list with the instructor if the class is full.