Grand Clay Arts Meeting
The next general membership meeting of Grand Clay Arts will be held December 16, 2021, at 9:00 AM. We welcome participants both in the studio and on Zoom. Please join us! You will find the link on the home page under "Helpful Links."
Message from the President
Bruce Lucas On behalf of the Grand Clay Arts Board of Directors:
Happy Holidays!...We wish you a joyful and relaxing holiday season with friends and family.
It's great to see so many returning members active in the Grand Clay Arts studio once again. The creative spirit is flowing and expressive works of art is the result!
For many members, it has been a 12 to 20 month absence due to COVID-19 concerns. One of the most asked questions by returning members is "What about service hours?" The club service hour requirements remain 12 hours annually. My suggestion is to focus the next 30 days on achieving the balance of hours due the club. For those of us not assigned to a committee or specific function, we suggest reviewing the "Help Wanted" listing in this newsletter. Another approach is to serve as monitor for several three-hour studio lobby shifts. As we're all aware, an obligation of membership is to participate in at least one monitor session per year. Should a situation arise where more time is needed to achieve the 12 hour requirement, please address that specific concern with on of our seven board members. The goal of the club is to keep everyone active and enjoying the full benefits GCA offers.
On Friday, David Twiggs resigned from the Sun City Grand General Manager position. In my view, David will be remembered for the redeveloped Village Center project just outside our large studio windows. SCG board member Rod Rankin will fill the position on a temporary basis until a new general manager is named. We wish David only our best thoughts during this holiday season.
Have a great month!
Happy Holidays!
Artist of the Month
Al Miller, GCA Artist of the Month!
To own an Al Miller teapot is, indeed, a special treasure.
Al has created over 500 teapots since joining Grand Clay Arts twenty years ago. These creations range from stately to whimsical. Stripes, polka dots and fun shoes adorn many of these special teapots in a riot of colors and designs. Al's unique designs remain in demand as time has only brought greater appreciation for the fine art each teapot embraces.
Along with Al's busy schedule, he found tme to serve as GCA club president in 2007/2008. Today Al continues to offer guidance and support to all members focused on improving their potter's wheel skills. Yes indeed, members may find Al at his favorite stand-up potter's wheel spinning his latest creation!
Congratulations, and happy holidays to Al Miller, December GCA Artist of the month!
IT Corner
Karen LeMar New CAM Cards
Recently issued CAM cards have a QR code on the front, but the magnetic strip on the back is not coded. These cannot be swiped to check in, so please type in the ID on the check-in screen, exactly as it is shown on the card.
Membership Renewals
Renewal invoices for 2022 have been sent and are due on 1/1/2022. Use the link on the invoice to pay online with a credit card or bring the printed invoice and check/cash into the studio.
GCA Facebook Group
Click HERE to join and stay in the know with what our members are up to!
New Website Features
For breaking news and reminders, check the GCA News Feed. Scroll a bit down on the homepage and on the right-hand side you'll find topics for the Gallery and general club info. Be sure to check often for the latest!
If you are remote and cannot be in the studio to record your hours on paper, use this online feature on the homepage. It's quick and easy.
Enjoy the holidays with your families and friends!
Karen LeMar, IT Director
webmaster@grandclayarts.com
The Gallery
Karen LeMar Sales are doing well this season. We constantly receive compliments on the beauty and creativity of our artists' pieces!
For sales in the studio, do remember to enter a "Record a Check/Cash Gallery Sale" form. Things to note on the form:
- Title of Piece must match what is on the tag.
- Check yes/no, Is the Buyer a resident of Sun City Grand?
- Enter the buyer's CAM ID if they can provide it.
If you have any questions about the Gallery or about submitting your works to Gallery, let us know: gallerymanager@grandclayarts.com
Name Tags
The following name tags are available in the studio for pick up:
Supply Chain Issues? Theresa Fritz is on it!
GCA Supply Director, Theresa Fritz, is focused on studio and members' order requests. For sure, manufacturers of glazes, under glazes, tools and kiln parts, have production and shipment issues. However, Theresa is constantly focused on our needs, reminding suppliers to do what it takes to fill GCA orders!
Thank you Theresa!
Ghost
Lynne Shanrock Some of you may remember the movie, some may not. However, GCA conducted our own "Ghost" event on December 11 - not quite the same image as that conjured up by the film but perhaps even better. Seven brave folks (all non-members) joined us in the studio for their first attempt to throw clay on a potter's wheel. A great time was had by all, in fact so much fun that we are considering doing it again!
H E L P !
Area
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Available Position
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Cleaning Crew
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Join the crew that keeps our studio sparkling
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Education Crew
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Manage our ad campaign postings on the homepage
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IT Crew
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Grand Clay Arts Facebook Group Admin – help promote our group, approve members, monitor content
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IT Crew
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Homepage Ads Co-editor – Learn the graphic app, MyMemories, to assist in maintaining the homepage class ads. Should be somewhat comfortable with computer-based creative applications.
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Kiln Crew
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Firing – on the job training, no firing experience required
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Monitor Crew
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Assist with monitor training and managing volunteer hours
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Purchasing Crew
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Help maintain studio supplies and clay inventory through tracking and purchases
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Studio Crew
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Easy and fun weekly drain trap cleaning. Join the crew that keeps the studio drains flowing.
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PLEASE SEND INQUIRIES TO: wantads@grandclayarts.com
Stay Tuned
Bruce Lucas Stay tuned...new Village-Center-facing windows will become a new Grand Clay Arts display window presentation!
Upcoming Classes and Events
Lynne Shanrock
Class
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Date
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Time
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Instructor
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5.5 Instant Mixer - The Doctor is In!
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12/15
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3-6 PM
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Diane Niehof
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Desert Landscape Plate/Wall Hanging
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1/3 and 1/12
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3-6 PM
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Pat O’Brien
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Basic Clay - Hand Building - January
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1/4 1/11, 1/18
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3-6 PM
|
Pat O’Brien
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Hanging Totem - January
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1/4 1/11, 2/2, 2/16
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6-9 PM
|
Lynne Shanrock
|
Intermediate Hand Building & Refresher
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1/5, 1/7, 1/14
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6-9 PM
|
Lynne Shanrock
|
Columns and Bottles
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1/6, 1/13
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3-6 PM
|
Diane Niehof
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Would You Wear These?
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1/7 and 1/14
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3-6
|
Pat O’Brien
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Hand Building/Carving
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1/10, 13, 17, 21
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6-9 PM
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Brian Marx
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Mudhead Luminaria
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1/12/22
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6-10 PM
|
Lynne Shanrock
|
Whimsical Village Cylinder
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1/17 and 1/24
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3-6 PM
|
Pat O’Brien
|
Beginning Wheel- January
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1/18, 20, 25, 27
|
6-9 PM
|
Brian Marx
|
The Wow of Glazing - Part 1
|
1/19
|
6-9 PM
|
Brian Marx
|
5.5 Instant Mixer - The Doctor is In!
|
1/20
|
3-6 PM
|
Diane Niehof
|
Would You Wear These? (2)
|
1/21, 1/28
|
3-6 PM
|
Pat O’Brien
|
The Wow of Glazing - Part 2
|
1/22
|
3-5
|
Brian Marx
|
Mask Making
|
1/15, 1/27
|
3-6
|
Diane Niehof
|
Super Fun Super EZ Underglaze Transfer
|
1/29
|
9AM-2PM
|
Diane Niehof
|
Basic Clay - Hand Building - February
|
2/1, 8, 15
|
3-6 PM
|
Pat O’Brien
|
Flower Making with Donna Repaty
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2/3
|
3-6 PM
|
Donna Repaty
|
Betwix & Between Throwing
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2/8, 9, 15, 17
|
6-9 PM
|
Brian Marx
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Please continue to check the class calendar on our website for the most current information on class offerings. |