Memorial Day is a US federal holiday which is celebrated every year on the final Monday of May.
Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States
Armed Forces. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to
commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the Civil War. By the 20th century,
Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died while in the military service.[3] It
typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
PRESIDENT’S CORNER
The month of April had many heading to their “other” home. The totem tour was on a Sunday followed by the
ice cream social. Raku is over for now and summer brings a quieter time. Enjoy this time wherever you are and
let your imagination play with ideas.
I’m sending a thank you to all the committee chair people who really do not get the credit they so deserve.
When we look at the number of committees we have and realize that almost every member volunteers on those
committees, it is wonderful. When I joined the studio I really had no understanding of the depth of our Studio.
The Chair and committee people do so much work, and we all so appreciate that. Join a committee and find out
what they do and make new friends and be a part of what makes our Studio great. If you have any questions
about the studio, please contact the appropriate committee (ex. kiln operation timing ~ kiln committee).
Jeannie Stewart
For your information the attendance for April 2014 was 1280.
Every Clay Studio member is encouraged to attend the committee meetings and join!
Education Comm:
First Monday of month, at 9:00 AM in the Fiesta Room
Finance Comm:
Second Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Fiesta Room
Kiln Comm:
Third Tuesday at 8:00 AM in the Mesquite Room at Canoa Hills
Glaze Comm:
First Monday at 3:00 PM in the Fiesta Room
IT & Facilities:
Third Tuesday at 10:00 AM in the Mesquite Room at Canoa Hills e/o month
Kiln Meeting Minutes
April 15, 2014
IN ATTENDANCE: Jack Ernest, James Luffman, John Turner, Rex Bybee, Ron
Foster, Jay Groothousen, Katy Casey, Jon Nelson Safety chair Diane Ernest
Guest: Kathy Campbell
Call to order at 0800
Approval of minutes of February Kiln meeting as Corrected
1. Discussion of letter signed “Concerned Members” Requesting firing kilns seven days per week.
Committee defeated unanimously. Present schedule remains in place as posted on Kiln bulletin board.
2. Discussion of Members’ Shards: Members’ request that their clay art be fired on their own shard.
In the event that members’ shard is not correct size, thin or not smooth, technician uses kiln room shard.
Members’ shard returned with note explaining. Kiln room shards must always be large enough to completely
support item and retrieve any drips from glaze. Studio members enrolled in Lois Plante’s glaze class have
greatly reduced glaze runs.
3. Core Lite Shelves ordered with expected delivery end of week.
4. Discussion on Clay Studio Board request: To supply a list of apprentices that monitors can use to call when
repairs are needed.
A list of technicians currently exists at the monitor’s desk. The committee felt that there were always sufficient
numbers of qualified Kiln Technicians to handle any situation that may arise. Raku team, under Ron Foster’s
direction, may only operate when it is completely safe to do so. Raku cancelled on unsafe days, or when a full
qualified crew is not available. There is no method by which a monitor would be able to make these judgments.
The present system remains. Firing resumes in fall. Head monitor notified.
5. General Information: This is the time of year when several items are disappearing from holding room
shelves. Should you be asked about a particular missing item that cannot be located, request the member to fill
out Incident Report. [Incident report forms are located in the first aid drawer at monitor’s station. When filled
out take form to GVR office.]
6. Special firing or unloading of items requested by member discouraged or not permitted. This impinges on
following days loading.
7. Mid May we will be returning to firing every other day.
8. “Bull’s Eye” kiln wash decision made to use in place of Marjon wash.
9. Reminder: When loading kilns with Glaze items allow at least 1 inch clearance between each item, top and
sides of Kiln. Do not allow shards or items to come into contact with elements.
10. Recent mysterious spots appearing on Bisque items on a flat surface, and cannot be glazed over. We are
attempting to locate this source of contamination, dust? Sweat? particle? Body lotions? Suggestions
welcome. I contacted the Ceramics Studio to see if this occurred & they also had this situation, called “Hot
Spots” caused by body oils. However, when tested in our Kilns “Hot Spots” did not occur. What is solution?
11. Sunday maintenance. Sunday April 27, 2014 start time 1:00
Next Meeting: May 20, 2014 Canoa Hills Social Center Mesquite Room 0800.
Jack Ernest, Kiln Chair
FACILITIES MEETING
April 15, 2014
Attendance: GVR Scan, sign in sheet. Total membership: 47
Next Meeting: October 21, 9:30 A M Mesquite Room, Canoa Hill Center.
Monthly Maintenance: April 27 @ 1 P M
Request for Additions to Agenda: Kent Amerman Kent Amerman stated he was no longer part of
committee, but board liaison.
1. Kent requested the committee to develop a list of apprentices to repair all equipment and have
monitors call a person off list. Discussion followed.
2. Kent asked questions regarding topics in Safety Manual included fragrances, proper shoes and dust
particle.
Committee responded about guidelines in order to prevent accidents and incidents.
Committee continued with reports:
Chair: At the end of each season, a report on overall status prepared for minutes and GVR. Safety is
ongoing and reflects studio’s responsibility to members. Insurance rates depend on the entire system.
Studio passed all inspections with help from other committees for this year.
Spray Booth: This last year, over a period of eight months, a careful study of an additional &
replacement spray booth, located inside or outside, considered. GVR brought in two outside engineering
consultants to study inside location and air supply at cost of $2,500.00 by GVR. The study included
permits required, if located inside, then modification of walls. The study looked at outside placement.
Results found constant air turbulence in patio during entire year. Patio requires frequent cleaning in
order to keep airflow to kilns through vent. Vent blockage is from large particles, garbage and of course
dust. In both instances, a spray booth must discharge glaze particle. Board decision was not to purchase
new Spray Booth, refurbish present Alpine booth.
A suggestion in March 2014 came to place an additional spray booth in the patio. Report given included
above information.
Monitor and board adjusted summer hours. [May 1: M-F 9-5, Sun 1-5.]
To make the most of this space it needs constant maintenance by volunteers & GVR custodial Service.
The Monthly Maintenance program is highly successful. In-house vacuum system completely overhauled
with new power unit. Room Coordinators make sure everything is in top shape by month’s end; new
members find this is a good way to do their required volunteer service & meet others
Update on Door Opener. C S board meeting on April 11: denied automatic door opener. Disabled and
interested members notified this month.
Safety: One report of medical emergency, six back injuries in Kiln Committee, Incidents of stolen
finished art reported verbally, five & by written report, two. Loud noise is emitted in Electric room,
when compressor in operation. Please assist in reporting any unsafe condition & if equipment, take out
of service.
New business: Glaze sink/counter area leaking in need of repair. Work order sent.
Assistant is now Gary Ballew, replacing Harry Jacobson.
Thank you for all you do. Diane Ernest
Clay Studio Library
The computer program for the Library is working well. Please feel free to check your items in and out using the
computer. There will also still be a paper sheet for you to use if you need it.
After an inventory on the computer and a physical inventory, we find that there are several items missing from
the Library. These do not show as having been checked out by anyone. If you would please read these over
and check at home (or around the studio – sometimes they are misplaced) it would really help.
Thank you – Your Librarians
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DVD05 - Making Marks #6
DVD 17 - 10 Great Tips and Techniques from the Masters
EX04 – Sculpture Exhibition
HB09 – Handbuilt Pottery Techniques
KL01a – The Kiln Book
SC03 – Complete Works of Michaelangelo
SC14 – Picasso
SC44 – An Atlas of Animal Anatomy for Artists
WH05 – Complete Potter, the Throwing
DeGrazia Gallery Tour
Our April 11 Out of the Studio Experience started at the DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun lead by
the Gallery’s docent who gave us a grand tour of the galleries and grounds. The group picture
was taken in the little mission built by DeGrazia in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Also
pictured are original works, DeGrazia’s easel and his last unfinished work. This is a worthwhile
trip for anyone interested in art.
From the Gallery we drove to Hacienda Del Sol Guest Ranch Resort. We enjoyed a delicious
lunch in a private room reserved for our group and graciously served by the staff. Following
lunch our very knowledgeable guide, Frank, filled us in on the history of the Resort starting in
1929 to the present and in addition he guided us on a grand tour of the Guest Ranch Resort:
library, botanical gardens, private guest rooms, suites, pool and gift shop. This was a truly an
educational fun experience.
Submitted by Connie Davis
Green Valley: Totem Capital of Arizona!
Totem Tour –Sunday,
Sunday, April 27
Thanks to the clay studio members who put their art work on display on
the annual totem tour!
Jay Groothousen
Julie Jacques
Brenda Melk
Maria Day
Ruth Clayton
Elenie Eliasen
Sharon Bisek
Carol Welch
Tom Krahe
The April Introduction Class!
L to R back row: Barb, Kurt, Jackie,
Joyce, Maggie, Jay, Rags
L to R front
ront row: Judy, Kae, Cynthia,
Meg, Pennylyn
Thank you to all who submitted articles and pictures for the newsletter!
Ruth Clayton, Editor