August 21, 2025 Member Meeting

 

Empty Bowls! Thank you to those who came to the Bowl-a-thon today! 23 bowls made today, 12 glazed. Another 11 in the works from Terry. 

Goal: 350 bowls for 300 attendees to choose from. Where we stand; We have: some, We need: more.

So, be making some in your own studio practice and either drop them off at a meeting or let us know and we can pick them up!

 

Financial: Treasurer Report by Kathryn Somers:

Meeting date 8/21/25

• prior meeting date 6/12

• balance at last meeting  $5,795.83

• balance now  $5,939.22

• difference  $143.39

 

Workshop: Stacy Morgan Octopus

# attendees 16 (including host)

• Income $3,225.00

• Expenses $2,634.94

• Difference $590.06

 

Workshop Tom Slacivek Leather & Clay

• # attendees 3 registered at present

• income $450.00

 

MEMBERSHIP

# new members 10

member income $275.00

 

GENERAL EXPENSES

• meeting demo supplies $4.28

• google suite x 2 months $24.00

• WIX google calendar fee (yearly) $47.88

• 3 GCC yard direction signs $38.94

• Bank fee X2 $10.00

• Kathryn reimbursement for EB clay $150.00

• Square fees: eventually we will need to dig and find the total cost of fees through Square. They don’t disclose it easily. Then we will need to re-evaluate other options if Square is too costly.

OUTSTANDING TRANSACTIONS

• reimburse Kathryn for SM 50# B-mix TBD (+/- 50)

 

UPCOMING EXPENSES

Gallery Pedestals $1,225

DISCUSSION:

For the upcoming Menagerie on Main show the board has looked into having pedestals made to display our 3D (table) work. These pedestals would not only be used for this show, but for other gallery shows where they do not have enough pedestals. We have run into this problem before at galleries since most deal with a limited amount of 3D work. Having our own can help us in those situations and when we want to make our own display for other events. These pedestals are collapsible, so easier to store too.  

The cost for building (12) 36” x 12” and (4) 40” x 12” pedestals, painted black is $1,225. To purchase these the price ranges from $100 - $130 each plus shipping, so having them built is saving on the cost for us.

• A motion was made by Valerie to approve the cost, a second from Terry, and the vote passed unanimously. 

 

 

SHOWS 2025

 

Harris Art Center

• Pick up Friday & Saturday - 29th & 30th; hours Friday 4-6 & Saturday 10-12 

• Kathryn will pack the empty bowls on the 29th for Susan to pick up.

 

Menagerie on Main - Show runs November 1st - 21st

• Call for Artists:

  • Submit applications August 15th - September 15th

    • Website has the form for the application

    • Ideally, all items are for sale. Limited NFS allowed.

    • Size restriction is based on 12”x12” tops of pedestals for 3D base limitations. 11 x 11 diameter is as large as the base should be.

    • The form on the website allows room for 7, but you can submit more. 

    • Submit photos and dimensions

      • 2D/wall 1 image, 3D/table up to 2 images

      • Please do not include identifying words or images on photos.

  • Jury timeline

    • Preliminary judging September 16-20th, final judging September 22-30th

    • Email acceptance; October 1st.

    • Advertising October 1 - Nov 1

    • Drop off & Pick up: are on the website.

      • Drop Off Dates Tuesday, October 28th and Wednesday, October 29th from 12 noon - 5:00 pm. on both days. Monday, October 27th by appointment only. 

      • Pick-up Dates: Saturday, November 22nd, Tuesday, November 25th, and Wednesday, November 26th. 12 noon - 5:00 pm. each day. Monday, November 24th by appointment only. Note Thursday, November 27th is Thanksgiving.

 

2026 Shows and Sales

 

Clay Fest: Shelved until we have a committee to help with that. If you’d like to be part of a committee, let us know. Until then…

 

West Main Arts Festival in Canton - by Menagerie on Main; in March of this year we attended to promote the Empty bowls event. For 2026 we’re proposing a GCC Tent or presence at the event. It would include

• Empty Bowls promotion - fliers handed out. Maybe bowls set up and for sale to help fund the event?

• Joint tent for GCC members. 

• Possible demos and artist presentations?

We can talk with Jamie from Menagerie to set this up.

 

Gilmer Arts, Ellijay, GA 

July/August 2026 - Mark your calendar

 

WORKSHOPS

 

Tom Slavicek; Leather Workshop Sept 6&7

• Need 3 more participants. Registration open.

• Fb ad running. Has anyone noticed it?

• No meet the Artist event for this workshop

• $150 for members + $20 for new members - all supplies included.

 

Raku firing - reschedule from Glazes, Stains, and Raku on February 15th and 16th, 2025

• Proposed Saturday, December 6th - member meeting and raku firing. Waiting to see if it works for the calendar.

 

2026 Workshops

 

Spring Member Workshop 2026 - Clay adjacent & Tool Making. Tech in ceramics. DIY Tools

• 3D printing with Kathryn Somers. Need laptops, internet, printers running

• stencils/cutting machine

• Silk screens with inks or underglazes, black light or sunlit process

• Make your own tools: stamps, brushes, ribs, make your own jelly plate for silk screening 

• Using technology: engraving, laser cutting, 3D printing with clay?

 

Any members that use or have this skill set to share, please let us know if you’d be willing to present. 

 

Ana Leal Cuerda Seca

Email sent, in talks.

in-person two days hands-on workshop.

I will provide the bisque pieces for you to paint on. You’ll be learning the authentic Cuerda Seca painting technique that originated in Islamic Spain and Portugal in the 10th century. Projects might include making tiles or coasters on the first day. On the second day, a vertical piece, either a cup or a bud vase. 

All materials and glazes will be included. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

This will be a fun and relaxing class, no previous painting experience is required, but helpful.

Judy Brater - Handbuilding

Email sent, waiting for reply.

 

FIELDTRIPS

 

Perspectives- field trip?

• Didn’t get this together for the opening reception

• Conflicts with Harris P/U the next week made it unlikely

• Leather workshop the last weekend of the show conflicts too. 

• Take-away: Plan better next year. Get it planned - maybe a small committee- earlier.

 

ALCC - Alabama Clay Conference - https://alvisarts.org/clay 

• Registration opens October 1st

• Possible carpool and shared lodging - let us know if you’d like to attend and make it a fieldtrip!!!

 

Current Outreach and Educational Projects - 

 

Empty Bowl Event: Spring 2026 March 21st, 11-2:30? 

The Planning Committee is starting up with our monthly virtual call. 

Last Friday of the month until January, then twice a month. First call Friday, September 26th at 9am.

We’d love to have more join us! Consider this an invitation to join in!