Stacy Morgan Workshop Wrap-Up

During the weekend of September 17-18, 2022, Clay Network held their annual workshop with a guest instructor. This year, Stacy Morgan, presented two one-day classes at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park, Florida. Stacy resides in Huntsville, Alabama and is active in the local and regional pottery community. Not only does she produce functional ware, but she is known for her unique sea life sculptures that make an ordinary pot, vase or platter their home. Her specialty is the creation of every elusive, transcendent octopus.

On day one, we gathered and met with Stacy. She gave a brief introduction on her clay story while we downed coffee and munched on bagels. Stacy’s love for sculpting octopus has led her to not only research the animal extensively, but take advantage of opportunities where she could interact with them. Her passion is apparent in the fluidity and natural way her sculptures seem to move across a piece of pottery. We were all excited to learn her process.

She led us through a step by step process of building this interesting sea creature and at the end of the day we had a completed, octopus on a platter. 

Day two, we met again at Atlantic Pottery Supply for our hands-on lesson with slip trail making. After our messy beginning, we filled our sample bottles with slip and worked on the different techniques on our leather hard clay tiles. Stacy used the octopus platter to demonstrate how adding touches of slip can create texture and add interest. 

Clay Network thanks artist/potter/sculptor Stacy Morgan for her extensive knowledge, and friendship.

Upcoming September Two 1-day Workshops Featuring Stacy Morgan

 Clay Network welcomes Huntsville, Alabama potter, sculpture and maker of fine dinnerware and ceramic home decor, Stacy Morgan. 

Stacy opened her studio, S.P. Morgan Studio,in 2012 as a small studio pottery practice, operating from her home in Huntsville, Alabama. Her first studio was in a barn in the middle of 50 acres of rural farmland.

Since then, her studio has grown to offer more dinnerware, pottery, decorative items for the home and sculpture and she moved the studio to a public location at historic Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, in Huntsville, Alabama. She is honored to be a part of the diverse community of artists there. She also offers  pottery classes and workshops, and enjoys traveling to other studios to teach as well. 

She is a proud to be a member of the Alabama Women's Caucus for Art, the Alabama Visual Arts Network, and Arts Huntsville.

On September 17, 2022 she will demonstrate how she makes her emblematic sea creatures, such as the octopus. On Sunday, September 18, join Stacy for a hands-on slip trailing class. Both workshops will be held at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park. 

DAY ONE:

When: Saturday, September 17, 2022 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Light breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Atlantic Pottery Supply, 1904 Debarry Ave., Orange Park FL

What: Stacy Morgan will demonstrate making life-like octopus sculptures.

DAY TWO:

When: Sunday, September 18, 2022 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (Light breakfast starts at 8:30 a.m.)

Where: Atlantic Pottery Supply, 1904 Debarry Ave., Orange Park FL

What: Stacy Morgan will lead a class on slip trailing.

Cost: $200 for both classes, includes light breakfast and box lunch both days, and Clay Network one-year membership.

OR

Saturday Class $125 includes light breakfast and box lunch and Clay Network one-year membership.

Sunday Class $125 includes light breakfast and box lunch and Clay Network one-year membership.

Already a 2022 Clay Network member?

Cost: $175 for both classes, includes light breakfast and box lunch both days.

OR

Saturday Class $100 includes light breakfast and box lunch.

Sunday Class $100 includes light breakfast and box lunch.

Want to register? Email lauraburgessart@gmail.com for registration information. 

July 2022 Clay Network News

It's official, summer is here bringing in the heat, blue skies, beach days and for some of us a real big wish for an air conditioned studio!

Lots of catch-up here on my part, so let's get to it. 

We are growing! That's right, just when we thought the pandemic would end Clay Network, not only did we stay afloat, but our membership is growing. Thank you members, and don't forget, new potters are always welcome to our meeting and don't have to be a paid member (and its our job to get you excited about what we do so you do join!).

Our last meeting was held May 15th at the Atlantic Pottery Supply in Orange Park. Attendance was excellent and our guest demonstrator, Mark Lester, wowed the attendees with his double walled pots.

Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, July 17th 2 - 5 pm at our VP's house in Green Cove Springs. It's a pool and grill party, plus Angie will be demonstrating how she uses native clay. With the price of everything going up, it is a good idea to source our own clay! Please be sure to RSVP achindle100@gmail.com.

Registration is also open for our September 2-Day Workshops with artist Stacy Morgan. You can register for both days or just one day. Seats are limited. Contact Laura at jade@tidewatertileworks.com for more information or to get your registration form.

Springtime is Officially Here!

 Hello Potters!

Lots of catch-up to do on Clay Network! When the pandemic hit, the Clay Network, like so many other associations and groups, went on hiatus. In January, Clay Network held their first public meeting in two years! Fortunately, the fires were still burning and Clay Network is back! 

Our March meeting was held at the Jacksonville Pottery Studio, and was well attended. During this meeting, the group voted on a new board, and we are happy to announce our new board members:

Jill Kolb - President

Angie Hindle - Vice President

Mary Matheson - Treasurer ( she is staying until the end of the year, interested parties, please apply!)

Laura Burgess - Secretary

Kate Thomes - Past President ( she is staying on to help guide the new board)

                      (l-r: Mary Matheson, Kate Thomes, Laura Burgess, Angie Hindle, Jill Kolb)

Our upcoming meetings were announced, and a very exciting workshop was also introduced.

    May Meeting - May 15, 2 - 5 pm at the Atlantic Pottery Supply on 1904 Debarry Ave. in Orange Park. We'll have our meeting and potluck (don't forget to share a dish and bring your utensils) and a demo.

    July Meeting - the group also discussed whether or not to hold a July meeting and the vote was for a July Meeting - location and date/time TBD

    September Workshop - Clay Network will be hosting Stacy Morgan for a two-day workshop at the Atlantic Pottery Studio. Mark your calendars for Sept. 17-18. More information and pricing will be coming soon.

    November Meeting - TBA

After our potluck and great conversation, Cat Plesko of Jacksonville Pottery Studio demonstrated how to tackle a 25 lb. block of clay and make a large vessel. She made is look easy, but there is a trick to it, along with some strong arms.

    If you want to be a featured artist on our monthly newsletter, you must be a member. Still the best price in town at only $25/individual or $40/couple. Contact Mary Matheson for more information.

 Hello Potters!

We will have our first in person meeting for 2022 on Sunday, January 9, 2022 from 2p-4p at the home of Kate Thomes, VP and Acting President in St. Augustine.  Please check your email for details or message here and we will provide the address.  

This meeting will follow CDC Guidelines regarding COVID by requiring masking and social distancing.  However, the meeting will primarily be held outside in the fresh air. 

We will have our usual potluck and we encourage everyone to bring a dish to share.  Please bring your own utensils and a plate or bowl for personal use.

We will be discussing the future of Clay Network in these new and different times.  We are also planning to organize a hands-on workshop in the fall of 2022 and are seeking input from membership.  

Please consider attending!

Yours in Clay,

Cindy Ward

Secretary