Call for entry - emerging craft artists

Coming Up Next
An exhibition for emerging fine craft artists.

Deadline March 20th

The Alberta Craft Council is organizing it's 4th annual juried exhibition that is open to emerging fine craft artists who are in the first five years of their career or in the last year of their formal education. If you are creating contemporary fine craft (clay, glass, fibre, wood, furniture design, jewellery or metals) with fresh new designs submit: a current cv; artist statement; 3 - 5 good quality images (digital - 4"x6" 300dpi) of work presented for the exhibition; an image list that includes title, medium, technique, year made and size in inches

Exhibition Dates: April 25 - June 6 (Discovery Gallery)
Artists Reception: April 25, Saturday 2:00 - 4:00 pm

Note: All submissions must have been produced in the last two years.

Send your submission to the
Alberta Craft Council acc@albertacraft.ab.ca

10186 - 106 Street, Edmonton AB T5J 1H4.

Popcorn packing, wobbly kilns and memories of Marilyn.

So as I began my day on Sunday, charged with a list of tasks to try to get completed on one of the few days I have my husband home to help watch the little munchkin, I got entirely sidetracked...It all started with our charming new kitten exploring in the dark depths of our basement storage only to find my packing materials and a goldmine of a bag of styrofoam popcorn. Needless to say the new game that began involved bringing the popcorn upstairs piece by piece to present to my son as a toy. We discovered them both playing away (luckily my son had his pacifier in mouth!) covered in styrofoam bits...sigh. So began the task of ridding the basement of these tiny horrors before it was too late. In the process I did manage to run across a box that had been sadly water damaged months before when our tub had leaked and to my delight and surprise I had stumbled across a bunch of old pictures from my college days. List of tasks for the day completely out of mind I spent the next while going through old memories, rediscovering old friends and handling cherished momentoes. In the midst of the pile of pictures I found the following which brought a smile to my face and reminded me of how far I've come (even if it doesn't feel like it everyday).

These pictures are of the first kiln I ever tried to build, must have been over ten years ago now. It's embarrassing to even show you (and now I question why I even am?) The first shows our pathetic attempt at working with the worst of discarded kiln bricks to build the floor of our raku kiln. Wobbly much? It makes me laugh out loud!

The second shows the floor after our probably 4th or 5th attempt. A little more stable.
In the end it wasn't the worst kiln ever, but it might have gotten an honorable mention. We did fire it quite a few times, enough for me to decide I really didn't care much for the raku process for my work, but I did enjoy the challenge of kiln building. And I also really enjoyed the atmosphere around the raku firings. Being that we were on the university campus we often had to fire at night when there were less students around (or maybe it just took that long for the sad little kiln to reach temperature?!) Often students from the surrounding dorms would come by to see what was going on as they could see the smoke and fire from their dorm windows. We'd often find ourselves with great company, pizza delivery and beer....aww college life! It was good times all round, not that we ever fully appreciate them at the time. I'm also reminded of this by the photos I found of the late, and oh so great, Marilyn Levine giving studio visits and critiques with us students. An opportunity I'd die for now...I wonder what she told me...I'd also take the good company, pizza and beer any day!

That time of year again...NCECA calls for program proposals

NCECA 2010, 44TH ANNUAL CONFERENCE

March 31-April 3, 2010 • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Theme: INDEPENDENCE

TOPICS FOR PROPOSALS

For the 44th annual meeting of NCECA in Philadelphia, we call for proposals of lectures and panel discussions relating to issues of exploration, discovery, and the relevance of site, location and environment. As always, we also welcome proposals on all subjects relevant to our field. Submissions will be evaluated in regard to merit, the presenter's expertise in the area, and a general interest in providing a balanced and inclusive program for the members. The general categories for proposals are as follows:

Aesthetics and Critical Theory, including presentations about concepts of beauty and value, art attitudes, theory, content, goals and standards.
Art History, including presentations about traditional and non-traditional artists and movements, styles, and surveys of regional, national and international art in clay.
Education, including presentations about traditional and non-traditional curricula, goals, standards, methods and ideologies.
Professionalism, including presentations about working standards, goals, methods and attitudes, and/or the professional working relationships of guilds, co-ops and other ceramic centers.
Technology, including presentations about traditional and non-traditional materials, processes, kilns, equipment, innovations and theory.
New Work, is a category of proposals for up to four artists to make a 15-minute visual presentation on the subject of a body of their own work completed within the last three years. Artists 30 years and older who have been working professionally for at least five years since completing their training are eligible to submit. Proposals should include 10 to 20 images of new work and 5 of older work, along with a list of works, a resume, an artist's statement and an explanation of how this work is new within the context of the artist’s overall career.
As for all conference proposals, the application deadline is May 1, 2009.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications must be submitted completely electronically. Your ONLINE submittal should include the following:
Presentation content description—400 word maximum
For New Work only— 200 word artist statement and a 200 word description of the New Work
Two-page resume
For panel proposals: names, addresses and brief resumes of the panelists
5-10 images of each presenters’ work. (Include only images that will strengthen the proposal.) Guidelines will be posted soon.
Link to ONLINE Submittal Form

or go to the NCECA website.

Your proposal abstract, images and support material will be made available electronically to all NCECA Board Members for review prior to the full Board meeting in May 2009. Proposal selections will be made by the full Board at that meeting. Please make sure that your submittal is complete, as incomplete proposals may not be considered. The Programs Director will notify you of the Board’s decision after the May meeting.

*Any person needing help with applying in an electronic format is encouraged to contact the NCECA Programs Director for assistance:
Joe Molinaro,
(859) 527-0088 or (859) 622-1634
joe.molinaro@eku.edu

Artist residency opportunity - Red Lodge Clay Center

Don't forget that the deadline for residencies at the Red Lodge Clay Center is right around the corner...

Applications need a postmark date on or before March 1st.
Starting next year the deadline will be February 1st.
They will be setting up interviews with final candidates at the NCECA conference in Phoenix. Find out more on their website here.

Are you "INTO Ceramics"?

There is a new online ceramics magazine and social networking site based out of Africa. It's great place to meet other artists, share info, upload images and give feedback on work. There is also a magazine - to be launched March 1st - that is either emailed or posted (i'm not quite sure yet as I just joined). Come and check it out!

INTO Ceramics website.

If you're looking for artist residency opportunities...

Then you might want to check out the Res Artis website. You can search by country, discipline or scroll through a list of upcoming deadlines. Enjoy!

Call for entry - Potters Council

The Potters Council announces it's first juried exhibition of members' to be held in conjunction with NCECA 2010 in Philadelphia, PA.

The name of the show is "FILL-adelphia".

"We challenge our members to create work exploring all the definitions of the word "FILL". "FILL-adelphia" will be an exhibition of works exploring the idea of holding, enclosure or containment. Interpretations can be as functional as a beer mug, as symbolic as a mother's arms, or as metaphorical as a box of rain. We hope to see the diversity, skill and commitment of our members expressed through this broad and inclusive theme."

Go here for more info and to download the entry form.
Deadline July 1st, 2009

4th Biennial of Contemporary Ceramics - Argentina

Deadline April 30,2009

"Together with this convocation we want to express our gratitude and our wish to make it possible that “a bit of mud from every place in the world, made with our hands and our tools” gets to us. "

www.rumbosannicolas.com.ar (Info available in english, look for British flag in right hand corner)

Upcoming Spring Workshop -Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald Workshop
Mold making, slip casting, & working with coloured slips

Sponsored by the Moose Jaw Pottery Club

Demonstrations, artist talk, and hands-on with slip casting
June 6 & 7, 2009


Rory MacDonald is currently Assistant Professor of Ceramics at the University of Regina. MacDonald's work in ceramics explores the history of industrial ceramic production techniques. He is interested in the role of ceramics within the practice of design and art concentrating on the development of new public audiences and spaces for contemporary ceramics. Central to his current research is the exploration of the concept of public craft. MacDonald’s current work explores site-specific firing and new techniques for glaze applications to architecture. He is the 2007 winner of the Winifred Shantz Award for emerging ceramics in Canada.

Cost: 65.00 members/80.00 nonmembers
To register, please mail a cheque that includes a contact email and/or phone
number so we can confirm your registration when we receive your cheque.

The cheque, made out to Moose Jaw Pottery Club, can be mailed to:
Moose Jaw Pottery Club
741 7th Ave. S.E.
Moose Jaw, SK
S6H 6B1
For more information contact: mjpotteryclub@gmail.com

Not that I'm a sentimental person when holidays like Valentines roll around, but I thought I would take this opportunity - since the holiday is about showing your appreciation for others - to say thanks to everyone that's been reading the blog and helping to make this community what it is. Thanks to everyone for all of the great emails, for sharing your work and ideas. I have such fun putting the blog together and its thanks to the great readers.
So cheers and I hope you have a great valentine's day with your loved ones.

In the spirit of the day here's some of Rae Dunn's lovely pieces.


You can find them at her etsy shop here.

Early Bird Deadline extended!!!

Takes place October 8th -11th, 2009

You can still access the Early bird price if you apply by February 18th!
Check out their website to download the application package and find out more info.
Even if you don't participate as an artisan, mark your calendars to go and check out all the great handmade work!

Coming up next - a call for emerging artists

www.albertacraft.ab.ca

Call for submissions - International Ceramics Competition of L’Alcora 2009

The Town Council of L’Alcora, announces its call for entries for the 29th edition of the International Ceramics Competition of L’Alcora 2009, organised by a Commission designated to that effect.

All participants are entitled to present a maximum of three works of art created with ceramic materials, which must be original and unique. Entries created by non ceramic procedures, works of an industrial nature or those who have entered in another competitions will not be admitted.

Works must not exceed 2 metres long in any of their dimensions. Entries not measuring 30 cm long or wide will not be accepted.

Entries must be sent to:
Secretaría del Concurso
Museo de Cerámica,
C/Teixidors,5 – E12110
L’Alcora, Spain

Deadline April 24th, 2009.

All entries must include a properly completed application form, the author or authors’ curriculum vitae. A maximum of three 15x20 cm photographs against a neutral background must be attached to each work of art. Registration can also be e-mailed (museu@alcora.org).

Contact by email (museu@alcora.org) for more info, application form and full entry guidelines.

Call for Submissions for Vantage Point, a Exhibition-in-Print curated by PAUL BUTLER
Deadline March 22

Artists of any age and discipline, from any country in the world, are invited to submit in response to our curatorial theme. Paul Butler is a Winnipeg-based artist, curator and dealer with an interest in multidisciplinary, social and alternative pedagogical practices (http://www.theotherpaulbutler.com/). Paul's oeuvre includes The Collage Party, The Other Gallery and the Upper Trading Post. Paul has exhibited at locations including: MOCA, LA; White Columns, NYC and Sparwasser HQ, Berlin. Curatorial projects have included artists Matthew Higgs, Mitzi Pederson, DearRaindrop and Guy Maddin. 30 selected artists will be published along with a selection of Paul's work and collaborations with other artists. To be launched in June 2009, this project is unique in the scope of it's inclusiveness, and in the overall aim to create open dialogue in visual arts through art publications.

The curatorial theme developed by Paul is in keeping with his own collaborative multi-disciplinary and social intervention-based art practice. Artists may submit up to 3 works in response to the concept: “Community and Collaboration as a Form of Pedagogy”. For submission and further definition to to: www.VantageArtProjects.com/current_submissions.html. All submissions will be blind-juried and a submission fee is required. Vantage Art Projects supports the contemporary arts through a commitment to providing parallel opportunities for artists, and connecting art enthusiasts and collectors with exciting new talent. The scope of our projects includes: Vantage Exhibitions, Vantage Art Press and Vantage Editions. For further information email info@vantageartprojects.com.

Packing workshop - Saskatoon SK

From Here to There in One Piece, How to Pack Fine Craft for Transport
Monday, February 23, 2009, 7 pm
SCC Gallery, 813 Broadway Avenue, Saskatoon

Presented by Leslie Potter and Judy Haraldson, SCC Exhibitions & Education Coordinators

To register: Contact Leslie or Judy at 1.866.653.3616 ext. 25 or scc.exhibitions@sasktel.net.

Workshop Fee: $10 for SCC members / $20 for non-members
Payments can be made to Amanda at 866.653.3616 ext 0 or in person at the SCC Office.

Check out the SCC website for more details

SERES’09 ‘I. International Ceramic, Glass, Enamel, Glaze and Pigment Congress’

SERES’09 ‘I. International Ceramic, Glass, Enamel, Glaze and Pigment Congress’
aims to bring academicians, artists, designers in the fields of ceramic, glass, enamel, glaze, pigment and cement and people of regarded industries together, supplying them suitable arena for sharing knowledge and experiences and for determining possible future collaborations with its wide range of coverage. SERES’09 will be held on the 12-14^th of October 2009 in Anadolu University, Yunusemre Campus, Congress Centre, Eskisehir. During Congress Internationally Judged Ceramic and Glass Art exhibitions will be organised. Additionally, if supported by the European Ceramic Society, School and Workshop on Microscopy of Ceramics will be held on the 8-13^th of October 2009.

The official language of SERES’09 is English and the Congress will cover the following subject:

§ Ceramic, glass, glaze, enamel and pigment raw materials

§ Glazes and pigments in ceramic industry

§ Ceramic, glass, glaze, enamel and pigment production processes

§ Latest developments in ceramics, glasses, glazes, enamels and pigments

§ Waste evaluations in ceramics, glasses, glazes and pigments

§ Glass-ceramics

§ Tiles and bricks

§ Cement and concrete

§ Ceramics, glasses, glazes, pigments and coro plastics in Archeology

§ Ceramic arts and history

§ Decorations

§ Ceramics, glasses and enamels in Architecture

§ Designs

§ Archeometry

§ Quality control

§ Environmental issues

§ Other related subjects to conventional ceramics, glasses, enamels, glazes and pigments.

Please contact them throught their website for more information about participation, attendence and exhibitions.

2009 Workshops at the International Ceramics Research Centre - Denmark

February 23 - 27

EXPERIMENTAL STUDIO
Karen Harsbo, DK & Tine Hecht-Pedersen, DK
Innovative experiments with technique & material
A laboratory of mould making, sand casting, mix media, paperclay, glaze & plaster

April 25 - 26
PHOTOGRAPHY – FORM, COLOUR & LIGHT
Ole Akhøj, DK
Professional photo studio in lighting, techniques & simple methods
Please bring your own ceramics, glass work or sculptures in other materials

May 11 - 20
CROSS DRAUGHT KILN
Collaborative firing in Scandinavia´s largest woodfired kiln1-2 days glazing/loading + 3 days firing + 4-5 days cooling + last day unloading

June 20 - August 31
SCULPTURE IN PUBLIC SPACE - SYMPOSIUM
Distinguished artists from around the world will come together in summer 2009 to generate contemporary reflections, models, testimonials of sculpture & architecture through its objectification in clay
Guest Artists: Akio Takamori (US/J), Wenzhi Zhang (China) & Christie Brown (UK)
Please call/email or see our website for program details.
Application deadline is April 15 2009

June 27 - 28
SCULPTURE IN PUBLIC SPACE - SEMINAR
Seminar with hands-on workshops, lectures, dialogue & exchange

August
WOODFIRE MARATHON VOL II
Woodfiring in Guldagergaards woodfired kilns: Bourry Box, Soda kiln and the famous Crossdraught-kiln combined with building a mini-anagama. Intense weeks with production, firings, dialogues & exchange
Cross Draught Kiln will be fired August 17-26

October 5 - 9
Takeshi Yasuda
Guldagergaard is honoured to present one of the most celebrated potters working in Europe today. Workshop on wheel throwing in combination with different techniques

October 12 - 16
PLASTER MASTER WORKSHOP
Richard Saaby, DK
Model & mould making with different materials and techniques. Plaster work from A to Z. For beginners and advanced

October 26 - 30
VITRIFIED PRINT
Paul Scott, UK
Printmaking course for those with some experience of print and/or ceramics and/or glass, which will examine a range of transfer technologies and direct printing.

November 3 - December 16 2009 / January 5 - February 17 2010
NETWORK 2009 - SYMPOSIUMA
6 weeks long project for recently graduated ceramists recommended by their educational institutions from all over the world
Individual project development, guest artists, lectures & workshops on photography, graphic design & exhibition planning
Application deadline is August 1 2009
Please call/e-mail or see our website for program details

ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM JANUARY - OCTOBER 2009
For professional & emerging artists, designers, teachers & students
Accepted by application

Contact for more information:
International Ceramic Research Center - DenmarkGuldagergaardHeilmannsvej 31ADK-4230 Skælskør
T +4558190016F +4558190037
ceramic@ceramic.dk
website

Mold making workshop - Calgary AB

Smooth-On 'How To' Seminar Basic Mold Making & Casting, Calgary
March 12

Register Today-Space is Limited! Hosted by GYPTEK INC.
Glenmore Inn, 2720 Glenmore Trail SE, Calgary
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Cost $60.00 + GST = $63.00 Lunch included

For More Information or to register contact (403) 201-0433 /sales@gyptek.com

Talk about a dream place to work...

The Archie Bray is hiring!
Below is the posting, but also check out there website for more info about the Bray.

Clay Business Manager

The Archie Bray Clay business is an enterprise business that operates to provide technical and financial support for the Archie Bray Foundation. The Clay Business Manager is responsible for all aspects of the Clay Business operations. These responsibilities are roughly divided into two components; manufacturing and retail sales. The manager will work with the Resident Artist Director to ensure that the business serves the Foundation mission and continues to grow and provide support for the Foundation.

Training and Experience

Business experience and a minimum of five years working in the field of ceramics are required. The potential candidate must have a broad knowledge of ceramic processes and materials and it is encouraged that they have some manufacturing experience. Candidates should also be familiar with financial record keeping software, have skills in office and staff management and have excellent customer service skills.

Remuneration and Benefits

This position will be a full-time salaried position based on a 40-hour workweek. Health care coverage is available after 90 days of employment. The Clay Business Manager will be able to accrue paid vacation time at a rate of one half day per month after the first six months.

How to Apply

Please send cover letter, resume, list of employment and contact information for last five years and two non-employment related references and contact information to:

The Archie Bray Foundation
Attn: Steven Y. Lee
2915 Country Club Rd.
Helena, MT. 59602

Or you can e-mail a word or PDF file to steve@archiebray.org. Please type “Clay Business Manager Application” in the subject heading.

Deadline is March 16, 2009

Patchwork exhibition

A ceramic group show featuring the artists:

Bennett Bean, Thomas Hoadley, Beverly Crist, Geoffrey Swindell,
Peter Kuentzel, Coeleen Kiebert and Nick Bernard

Receptions:
Saturday, February 14, 2009 6 - 9pm
Saturday, March 14, 6 - 9pm

Armstrong's Gallery is located at 150 East 3rd Street, Pomona, CA 91766 and at http://www.armstronggallery.net/.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. during Second Saturday Art Walk.

Starving artists? Indeed.

The Globe and Mail published the following article this morning about Statistics Canada's review of the status of artists in Canada, not so pretty.

Starving Artists? That's not far from the mark. Article by James Adams.

From the article:
"According to the Hill study, the poorest-paid Canadian artist category is that of female visual artist, with average earnings in 2005 of $11,421, closely followed by female artisan/craftsperson ($12,307), female musician/singer ($12,449), and female dancer ($12,502)."

Sad to see the female visual artist/craftsperson at the bottom of the barrel.

Worth a read

I received a copy of this book from my husband and am quite enjoying it. It's got beautifully well written, short (which is always good for those of us with little time) essays that tap into how random everyday objects shape our worlds, perspectives and identities. It brings to light how objects are active rather than passive in our relationship with them; and how they link us to others, crossing geographical and temporal distance. I particularly liked the essay by Susan Yee which talks about her working with the original sketches and blueprints of the famous architect Le Corbusier and her discussion of how the accessibility of online scanned archives, which are far easier accessed, will always lack in presence, intimacy and connection with the artist.

You can find the book here.

2 Medalta opportunities

KILN WORKSHOP
A workshop providing a hands-on learning opportunity to build a salt/soda kiln at the new facility for contemporary ceramics will be held May 14th - 24th, 2009 at the Medalta site in the Medicine Hat Clay Industries National Historic District in Medicine Hat Alberta.

Aaron Nelson, from the Archie Bray Foundation has had extensive experience in kiln construction and will provide great expertise to the workshop. There are a limited number of spaces for this event. Please check their website www.medalta.org for the Application - deadline is April 17th.

Fee for the Workshop is $600 + 5%GST. Accommodation has been set aside at the Medicine Hat College - www.mhc.ab.ca/residence or call (403) 529-3820. Indicate the Medalta block.

RESIDENCY
The Medalta International Artists in Residence invites applications to participate in the 2009 Residency to take place in the new Contemporary Ceramics center at the Medicine Hat Clay Industries national Historic District.

The dates are June 1- 26, 2009.

Established artists have been invited as guests to guide and interact with participants for a 4-week intensive exploration of clay ideas. They are

Aaron Nelson - Alberta

Amy Gogarty - British Columbia
Gunda Stewart - British Columbia
Reed Weir - Newfoundland
Rob Froese - Saskatchewan
Marty Shuter -USA

The fee is $500 CAN + 5% GST. Application forms and extensive information about the artists and the program are available on the website www.medalta.org . Application deadline is April 17th. Accommodations are available at Medicine Hat College. Look up www.mhc.ab.ca/residences or phone (403) 529-3820. Be sure to indicate the Medalta Block.