The next general membership meeting of Grand Clay Arts will be held February 17, 2022, at 9:00 AM.  We welcome participants in person in the Chaparral Center Hopi Room and on Zoom.  We look forward to seeing you there! Membership action at this meeting will include:

1. Discussion on the new approach to signing up for Market at Grand participation
2. Vote on updating required new member "Basic Clay" class.
3. Vote on adopting "Plates of Plenty" (POP) as GCA charitable outreach program

What an amazing February Art Walk...
The event wrapped up a week of celebration dedicated to the grand opening of the Sun City Grand Village Center redesign.

The February 5th event was hosted by Artisan Fusion.  The AF group was formed last year with the goal of elevating the visual arts in the Sun City Grand community.  AF's seven member clubs featured exhibits and maker demonstrations across the redesigned Village Center.  The crowds were amazing and packed the event from opening to closing.
Grand Clay arts stepped up in a meaningful way to support the event.  Twelve artists presented their pottery on the Village Center Plaza along with another four members featured on the GCA studio patio -- just an incredibly powerful presentation of art produced by our membership. However, the big win on Saturday was the support non-presenting artists showed toward fellow members.  These members dedicated their time to set up display tables, operate the sales transaction desks, and wrapped sold products for customers.  This spirit of goodwill continued through the weekend in tallying results.
 
Special thanks go to Brian Marx for hours of non-stop potter's wheel demonstrations for Art Walk visitors.

The $7,500 generated in sales is the result of an outstanding team effort!

The Market at Grand provided the right showcase to test the POP concept.  Our "can do" member Nancy Quinlisk dusted off the concept and set it in motion for the February Art Walk event.  Member Laura Abraham agreed to lead the team of Georgene Davis, Kelly Ehrick and Barbara Rosen in this most worthwhile charitable cause...providing for the hungry.
Results:  The team raised $1,200 in donations.  The Valley View Community Food Bank is the recipient of their fine work along with the work of our other talented plate-making members.  During the February general meeting, members will have an opportunity to vote concerning POP becoming the GCA ongoing charitable program.  In my view, it's a total win for the club.

Why do we offer classes at Grand Clay Arts?  One of our prime directives is to provide information to our members that will help them increase their knowledge and skill level in this wonderful world of clay art. 

The dictionary defines learning as the activity or process of gaining knowledge or skill by studying, practicing, being taught, or experiencing something : the activity of someone who learns.

If you secretly harbor the idea that you need to know more before you learn how to do something, how do you get there?  That is the purpose of classes.  The only pre-requisite is that you have the desire to learn. 
 

For an easy path to successful, confident monitoring, follow these guidelines:

We have new members as well as many returning members who have monitored in the past, however, not in the last several months.  MUCH has changed.  If you have not monitored in the last four months or if you are new, DO NOT TRY TO MONITOR WITHOUT REQUESTING A REFRESHER OR TRAINING.  First, click on the monitor@grandclayarts.com link and request our assistance.  We have a core group of monitor trainers (Odette Olson, Sharon Salvino, and Cindy Wright) who stand ready to share knowledge.

Monitoring is just one of the many important volunteer roles we have in our club!  When you monitor, you are the face of Grand Clay Arts.  From the friendliness of your greeting of members, guests, and visitors to the tasks you perform during your shift, you are adding to the warmth and spirit of our studio community.  You are appreciated!

Watch for more easy to follow updates coming soon.

Enjoy a Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Email me with questions, suggestions, or concerns.

Karen LeMar
webmaster@grandclayarts.com

At our January meeting, several members indicated they were experiencing difficulty logging into the website.  We recommend that you enter your username and password (which now has an "eye" you can use to verify your password has no typos) and then pause for a few seconds before clicking on the login button.  Try this easy fix and if it doesn't work, contact our webmaster.  It is always helpful for the webmaster to have a screenshot of any error message that you may be receiving.

Selling at the Market at Grand?  What to do?  Once you are on the list to participate in the sale, please adhere a price tag to each piece of work you intend to sell.  Make sure to include your full name and the price of the piece.  Bring your items with you the day of the Market and arrive prepared to assist with set up and don't leave until the display is dismantled and returned to the studio.

Selling through the GCA Gallery?  What to do?   Take a photo of the piece you wish to sell.  It is best to use a plain background with no other items in the photo.  Then fill out a Gallery Request on the website (located on the homepage under Helpful Links).  Attach your photo to the request before submitting the form.  Deliver your piece to the studio, fill out a price tag with your full name, the name of the piece, and the price and attach it to your piece.  Place on the shelf behind the monitor's desk.  Make certain the information matches exactly what was submitted on the Gallery Form. 

 

Class	Date	Time	Instructor
Desert Landscape Plate/Wall Hanging	2/17, 2/24	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Pots Run Riot (masks required)	2/18, 2/19	3-6 PM	Carol Commins
Raku Firing - February #2	2/20/22	8-11 AM	Diane Niehof
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0221 (Full)	2/21/22	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
The Big Chill	2/21, 2/28	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Adobe House	2/23	6-9 PM	Lynne Shanrock
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0228 (Full)	2/28	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
Basic Clay March (Invitation only)	3/1, 3/8, 3/15	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Hand Building/Carving	3/1, 3/3, 3/8, 3/10	6-9 PM	Brian Marx
Pinching a Pot	3/2	3-6 PM	Anita Britton
The Doctor is In! 0303	3/3	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Alt. Firing – Naked Raku	3/4, 3/5, 3/6	Various	Diane Niehof
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0307 (Full)	3/7	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
Mask Making	3/9, 3/11	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Textured Planter	3/9	6-9 PM	Lynne Shanrock
Flower Making with Donna Repaty	3/10	3-6 PM	Donna Repaty
Ghost Guest Event	3/12	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0314 (Full)	3/14	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
Puff Pot	3/16	6-9 PM	Lynne Shanrock
The Doctor is In! 0316	3/16	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
The Big Chill	3/17, 3/24	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Would You Wear These?	3/18, 3/25	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0321	3/21	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
Pots Run Riot with a Whirl (masks required)	3/22, 3/23	3-6 PM	Carol Commins
Leapin’ Lizards	3/29, 3/31	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof

Please check the event calendar on our website for the most current information on class offerings.
NOTE:  Cancellations must be received a minimum of seven days prior to a class to obtain a refund.