Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Blessed Solstice and a very Happy New Year!

January Program with Laura LePere

On January 4, Tucson-based member Laura LePere will lead us in creating these flowing trinket dishes. Be sure to check out Laura’s other work on Instagram and her website. She’s also a frequent contributor at the Southern Arizona Arts Guild, where she teaches polymer and other media.

Download the materials and the template that you’ll need.

Laura says these additional notes will come in handy during her demo.

1. If you want to make a speckled version (which is nice for hiding flaws) and don’t have some crumbly clay to use for a contrasting color, leach some clay.
2. Print out the template PDF.
3. If you have a 3″ circle cutter, skip to the next step. If not, use scissors to cut out the large circle from the printed template
4. If you have a plastic page protector lying around, insert the template into it (but not the 3″ circle if you cut it out). Alternatively, tape the template to the back of clear glass so you can see the lines through the glass. I use glass from frames with the edges taped but you could use a clear glass work surface.
5. Condition your clay, except for the crumbly/leached clay.

Chilly Clay Retreat

Save the date! Our annual members only retreat, Chilly Clay Days is scheduled for February 1 & 2, 2025. We will have two guest artist demos over the weekend, off the cuff demos, claying, food, and fun.

Thanks to our intrepid member Maurine, we’ve got an amazing demo scheduled for the first day of the Retreat – Layl McDill! You may know her from her Silly Millies, her IPCA exhibition entries or studio tour, or the Polymer Art Summit of 2023.

Layl will be demoing this bright and fun dragonfly ornament. More details to follow as we get closer to the date.

Upcoming Meetings

• February 1 & 2: Chilly Clay Retreat
  • Layl McDill – Dragonfly Ornament
  • Barbara Forbes-Lyons – Mica Powder Stamping and Mosaics
• March – December 2025

The Brush of Many Hands

The guild, a vibrant hue,

Needs hands to nurture, see it through.

From setting up the camera so bright,

To hosting a demo, a joyful sight.

Each member’s time, a precious seed,

To plant the future, grow the tree.

Of artists bound by shared delight,

Their talents shining, ever bright.

So lend a hand, a helping heart,

Your time and skills, a vital part.

For in the guild, we find our call,

And keep the art alive for all!

Partially crafted with AI

The Guild needs YOU to keep moving forward. To be blunt, Barb and Cindy need a break and the guild needs members to step into some leadership roles. The two roles that would have the most impact are below and both roles could be shared by a pair of members.

Demo Coordinator(s)

• seeks out and schedules demos for the monthly meetings
• works with the Special Event Chairs to schedule special guest demos for events,
• responsible for providing demo info, pictures, and supplies lists for the website articles,
• communicating with demonstrators and teachers.

Special Event Chair(s)

• Plan the Guild’s two annual Retreats – Claybor Day in September and Chilly Clay Days in February.
• schedule demos/guest teachers with the Demo Coordinator
• arrange catering and/or potluck sign-up
• schedule volunteers for meal cleanup and end of event cleanup
• setting event budgets

Other roles that would be helpful are Membership Chair and Website Editor. Both roles would involve some level of technical knowledge.