A Note From the C.N. President

Details from Marcia's platter

A Note from Marcia

Public awareness is growing thanks to the hard work of Pat Robey and Marilyn Smart as all those attending the Empty Bowls event at the Prime Osborne Center this November 17^th will be introduced to Clay Network. Displayed and featured separately from the general Empty Bowls collection, event attendees will be able to purchase donated pots made by Network members and treated to live demonstrations. To help support the Empty Bowls Project, Ken Stutes, owner of Avondale Artworks, is featuring a selection of Clay Network bowls (complete with Network signage and artist credit) in his gallery right up to event time. What a bonus for our membership!

As an organization, Clay Network is heading in the right direction. Membership and meeting attendance is increasing. Workshops held at our bi-monthly meetings are met with great enthusiasm and, as always, the camaraderie at pot luck time is filled with lively conversation and sharing of ideas. As we head toward Thanksgiving time, a number of members are working to fill the Clay Network booth with a wide variety of handcrafted works in clay just in time for the holiday gift giving season! What a wonderful way to end the year.

See you all at the November meeting.

Marcia

Side note: Throughout this hectic period, I ask that each member keep long time CN members Katy and Mike McIntire in their thoughts and prayers.

Katy and Mike,

Speaking for the general membership, our condolences on the loss of your daughter.

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We want to remind you to come out to the Jacksonville Arboretum & Gardens First Anniversary Celebration, on Saturday November 14^th from 10am-4pm. Some of our Clay Network members will be there selling outdoor garden pottery.

The Empty Bowls Luncheon is coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 17., please remember to get your donations to Pat or Marilyn before then. You can bring your bowls to the meeting if you haven't already delivered them.

November 28 & 29 is the Fall Art & Craft Festival,
St. Augustine's Premier Art Festival. Mark your calendars! Held Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov. 28 & 29. Clay Network will be there with throwing demos and sales of our beautiful pottery.

We will have our new Clay Network t-shirts at the upcoming meeting, Sunday, Nov. 15th! If you ordered one please remember your $20. If you have not ordered one, we will have a few extras for sale.

Directions to the meeting will be e-mailed directly to members soon. If you are not on our e-mail list please contact us for directions. Our meetings are open to all and you are invited.

We will be meeting in the Arlington area of Jacksonville, at Marcia's home.Our program will feature our web master, Randy, demonstrating the new Clay Network web site.As always, we will finish up the meeting with our fun and friendly potluck meal.

Please come and see your Clay Network friends.

Catch the Excitement

Marcia trimming a pot

A note from Marcia

Over the last several weeks there has been significant progress on our developing web site. I have met several times with our web designer, Randy Blake (who is generously donating his time and expertise), creating a site that will highlight the accomplishments of Clay Network and individual members alike. A number of writing and editing projects loom in the near future but the ground work is set and the page formats are looking good. Our blog link will be featured prominently and Lisa will be able to continue her amazing up-to-date notifications with ease. In the very near future, Randy will meet with the Board to present the current layout and discuss additions, changes, and links.

Additional preparation prior to launching our web site includes the need for quality photographs from each member who would like to be numbered in the Member's Gallery. To this end, the program presented at our next meeting will cover photographing ceramic work. Artist, teacher and nationally recognized professional clay artist Vina Schimmer be on hand to discuss not only digitally photographing ceramic artwork but composition, lighting and economical tips for getting the job done. Vina will not only lead us through the process but has asked that each member to bring their digital camera and one piece to photograph. There is nothing like one-on-one direction! This is one workshop that should not be missed!

I am looking forward to seeing you this July. Have a safe and productive summer.

Marcia

Get involved

Clay Network members get ready again- to show off your best work.

The Regency Square Regional Library,
located at 9900 Regency Square Blvd. in Jacksonville,
will be hosting our month-long exhibit beginning July 1st.

If you would like to have your art included please contact Marcia or Lisa.
Please remember to include a few of your business cards and a price list,
so that interested folks can contact you if they want more information,
or to purchase your creations.

If you are not yet a member, but would like to join the fun
please contact Lisa at Stixandstonz@hotmail.com.