This time of year is my absolute favorite in the life of the club!

The studio is really humming with a wonderful level of creativity in both hand-building and potter's wheel projects.  The cooperation between members is special.  The willingness to help one another improve skill levels is tremendous.  Let's enjoy our time together as members of one of the truly great clubs in the Sun City Grand community!  Thank you everyone!

New Kiln Room Update
Last week, several GCA board members met with David Martin (CAM Projects Advisor) to review plans for the club's new proposed kiln room.  Phase two of the three-step design planning process was addressed.  Several suggestions were made concerning kiln placements, electrical connections, storage areas and lighting.  The latest design plans are available for membership review.  The plans are posted on the lobby bulletin board.  Also, the GM comments concerning the project are attached to the plan.  Refer to the fourth entry (Clay Arts/Social Area Addition) for the current construction timetable and comments.

Potter's Wheel Replacement
The board voted during the March BOD meeting to replace the current broken potter's wheel.  To repair the vintage, last generation, potter's wheel would be roughly $500.00.  The cost of a new Brent potter's wheel is circa $2,000.  The replacement cost is sourced from the club's reserve fund.  A vote in support of the board's decision will be held during the March General Membership Meeting, March 17 at 9:00 AM.

Potter's Standing Wheel Repair
Please be aware that one of our stand-up potter's wheels (#4) needs a new on/off rocker switch.  The delay in delivery is three weeks.  The parts cost is approximately $30.  GCA guru of all things electric, Mr. Cliff Ellis, will handle the repair.  Thank you, Cliff!

Market at Grand (MAG) March Results
Saturday's (March 5, 2022) Market at Grand results were impressive.  Over 200 pieces of pottery were sold.  Average price is $25 per item.  Total volume was $5,000.  Congratulations to the participants.  Special thanks to club volunteers for helping to make the four-hour market a success!
Hand Building Molds: Ouch!
Please do not remove the hand building molds (of any type) from the studio.  The molds are intended for in-studio use only.  Also, when finished using a mold, please clean it thoroughly and carefully replace it in its proper location.  The studio is experiencing way too many damaged (chipped, cracked or broken) molds from rough handling or jamming into unintended tight storage areas.  Molds are expensive to replace.  We look for everyone's cooperation in addressing this issue.  Thank you!

CDC Relaxed C-19 Guidelines
The studio will discontinue providing paper towels and sanitizer on the hand building and potter's wheel work stations.  A suggestion is that we all resume carrying hand towels for personal use.  The same holds true for hand sanitizer.  This policy adjustment is in keeping with CDC relaxed guidelines concerning overall C-19 issues.  The club encourages members wishing to continue to wear face masks as a personal choice please continue to do so.

Karen LeMar
Our fellow club member, Karen LeMar, would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the well wishes sent her way over the past several weeks.

Karen, our head of IT, website and GCA Board member, is dealing with medical issues and has returned to Colorado for treatment.  Karen will remain in her club leadership role and offer continued guidance from her Colorado home.  In the interim, the day-to-day functions will be handled by the current team.

Please join us all in wishing Karen a speedy recovery and return to great health!

 

Don't forget, there is lots of good information available to you on the homepage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are scheduling a test firing of Cone 6 glazes on March 17 or as soon as we have enough product to fill a kiln.  We have reserved two bottom shelves in the back drying area.  This area has been roped off with green and blue tape and a sign indicating that only pieces with higher temperature glaze should be placed there.  You can put in more than one piece.  We need to fill a kiln.

The results of this firing will tell us if we should regularly schedule Cone 6 firing in the future.  If you are interested in being part of this test. please put your pieces in the area indicated.

Thanks from the firing committee.

Thank you to all Grand Clay Arts members who participated in our Plates of Plenty event for 2021-22!  Over $1,200 was raised for the West Valley Community Food Bank.  Dozens of members donated their time and talent to create beautiful and unique plates for the event.  Plates were offered at the January Market at Grand with Georgene Davis, Kelly Ehrick and Barbara Rosen manning the tables.
Also, a BIG thank you to Brian Marx!  While plates were being offered during January's Market at Grand, Brian was demonstrating throwing on the wheel.  He created a total of 15 vases which he later painted and glazed.  You may have noticed the vases on the south window sill.  These will be available at our fall POP event!  However, if you are interested in acquiring one for yourself, GREAT!  Suggested donations are $50 for a painted vase and $40 for a glazed vase.  Just follow these simple steps:

• Write POP on the front of a plain envelope
• Enclose the tag from the vase and cash or check for the amount, payable to Grand Clay Arts
• Place the envelope in the drop box

All money collected will go to the Valley View Community Food Bank.

Are you ready to start making plates for next year's Plates of Plenty event?  Check out the POP shelf located on the wire shelving in the southeast corner of the workroom.  There you will find materials and instructions for creating your plate.  Remember, you can make more than just one plate!  Thank you - have fun - and know that your time and energy are going toward assisting people in the community by providing food to those in need.

These name badges are available for pick up in the studio . . .

Our second Ghost event was held March 12 and it was another successful and messy afternoon at the studio.  Congratulations to all who participated and we hope you have wonderful treasures to remind you of a great time at Grand Clay Arts Club!

 

Class	Date	Time	Instructor
Beginning Wheel – March**	3/15, 17, 22, 24	6-9 PM	Brian Marx
The Doctor is In! 0316 (Full)	3/16	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Basic Glazing Made Easy 0321 (Full)	3/21	6-9 PM	Margo Cuthbert
Pots Run Riot with a Whirl (Full)	3/22, 3/23	3-6 PM	Carol Commins
Raku/Horsehair Firing – March #2	3/27	8-11 AM	Diane Niehof
Leapin’ Lizards	3/29, 3/31	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Raku/Horsehair Firing – April #1	4/3	8-11 AM	Diane Niehof
Basic Clay – April	4/5, 12. 19	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Beginning Wheel - April	4/6, 8, 20, 22	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
The Doctor Is In 0407	4/7	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Alternative Firing – Saggar	4/9, 10	Various	Diane Niehof
Desert Landscape	4/11, 18	3-6 PM	Pat O’Brien
Ombre with Lines or Words	4/13	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Bird Plant Pal	4/14	6-9 PM	Lynne Shanrock
Underglaze This! April	4/13	3-6 PM	Mary King
Traditional Saggar (coming soon)	4/17	8-11 AM	Diane Niehof
The Doctor Is In! 0421	4/21	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof
Go Fish! (coming soon)	4/28	6-9 PM	Lynne Shanrock
The Doctor Is In! 0429	4/29	3-6 PM	Diane Niehof

 

**This Beginning Wheel class is Brian’s last class of the season. He needs at least 5 people to register or the class will be canceled.

 

For the most up to date information, please view the Calendar of Events on our website.