Ceramic Showcase 2016

Tomorrow I will participate in my first actual pottery show.  The Oregon Potter's Association's Ceramic Showcase at the Memorial Coliseum Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  I'm excited to spend a few days with other potter's, nervous to see how my pottery is received by the wider world.

Last year I had a few things in the gallery, which was great, but not quite full participation.  This year I had applied for a booth in October, waited until a couple of months later to find out I was number 8 on the waitlist.  Certainly a let down, but my own fault for not having done enough volunteering for the Potter's Association. 

I had signed up to be in the gallery again if I didn't get a booth.  So I decided it was time to perfect the ceramic resonator soprano ukulele.   I built about 5 ceramic bodies, tossing a couple that didn't seem like they were going to work.  Had a couple of issues that I was working through, but I thought it wouldn't be a problem to have three ukuleles ready for Showcase.

I'm always in my studio making things for the Box and recently I've gotten a few commissions that were keeping me busy enough.  So I was getting plenty of studio time.  In addition, I was getting occasional e-mails saying that I was moving up on the waiting list.

Then, on the 18th of this month, just 10 days ago, I was informed that someone had dropped out and that I would have a spot in the group booth.  by that time I was thinking a few ukuleles in the gallery was all I had needed to do.  So for about the last 10 days I have been in my studio every night 'til late and all day as well on the weekend.   My kiln really didn't get completely cool for most of the week.

So today was set up day.  My shelves in the group booth are full and someone already decided to play the uke while people were setting up today (or at least that's what I'm told by one of my neighbors).

If you're in the Portland area, stop by.

 

I share the pedestal section with my group booth neighbor.  My pieces are the ukulele and the two platters.

I share the pedestal section with my group booth neighbor.  My pieces are the ukulele and the two platters.

Ceramic Showcase

This weekend is the Oregon Potter Association's Ceramic Showcase.  It's at the Memorial Coliseum.  The hours are Friday May 1st and Saturday May 2nd from 10-7 and Sunday May 3rd from 10-5.    

I just joined the association last fall and this will be the first time I have any work at the show.  I have three pieces that will be for sale in the gallery.  I was at the showcase today and had time to walk around as other potters were setting up their booths.  There is some amazing pottery there, so please come by and check it out.  

Below are the three pieces I made for the showcase.

Here's a piece using a poem I wrote for Beth.  This is the piece that is already in the gallery.  If it sells, then another one of my pieces will replace it.

Here's a piece using a poem I wrote for Beth.  This is the piece that is already in the gallery.  If it sells, then another one of my pieces will replace it.

This is the second piece that will be in the gallery.  It is a series of boxes with different haiku from Kobayashi Issa.

This is the second piece that will be in the gallery.  It is a series of boxes with different haiku from Kobayashi Issa.

This is the third piece I made for the showcase.  It features a poem from local poet Pamela Dillon.

This is the third piece I made for the showcase.  It features a poem from local poet Pamela Dillon.

Gifts

After writing a first ever blog post this evening and thinking I wouldn't have much to blog about, when checking the poetry pottery box this evening, I found an envelope with a note on it stuffed into a mug.  

The note said "Your pottery is most beautiful...vibrant, peaceful and loving.  It found me by surprise on a walk as the young woman I am today, after experiencing rape and feeling homesick for / or to be close to those I love in the midwest.  Thank you for your gift, for brightening my space, much love and peace to you. Please accept this token of my gratitude."  

Inside the envelope was a crystal, 8 bags of herbal tea and a pack of vegan, gluten, sugar and soy free gum.

First, to whoever wrote this note, you're welcome and thank you for the gifts, they will be cherished.   I hope you enjoy the pottery you have taken from my box.

Second, I've received a number of wonderful notes and small gifts over the past 9 month, but this one was especially touching.  I may never have any idea who this person is, but I think my project has done them some small amount of good.  As a social worker who spends most of his time in front of a computer dealing with databases, it's tremendously gratifying to be able to help someone in a real and direct way.