VCPG November 2023 Newsletter
Members' Meeting : Monday October 23rd
Annual Members Meeting; BOD Election and students presentations
For Your Calendar:
November 2nd…….........Board Meeting @ 3:00pm
November 13th…….........Happy Hour @ 5:00pm at Margarita Villa
November 27th ........…...Members Meeting on Zoom; 6:30pm Gathering, 7pm Meeting
Animal Ties, the Art of Nina de Creeft Ward
December 7th……...........Board Meeting @ 3:00pm
December 9th ............….Members Meeting at Barranca Vista Park, 2 - 6
.........................................Clay Challenge and Holiday Potluck
January 4th ……...….......Board Meeting @ 3:00pm
January 22nd …….....…..Members Meeting on Zoom; 6:30pm Gathering, 7pm Meeting
February 1st ……...…......Board Meeting @ 3:00pm
February 26th …….....…..Members Meeting on Zoom; 6:30pm Gathering, 7pm Meeting
President’s Musings • November 2023
Wyn is dealing with a family issue and hasn't finished this month's Musing.
When he can, he will finish and post it.
Happy Thanksgiving!
and
Happy Potting,
Wyn Matthews, VCPG President
50+ year potter
805.207.3122
president@vcpg.org
Members Program Meeting • November 27th
Animal Ties, the Art of Nina de Creeft Ward
Nina de Creeft Ward, an internationally recognized ceramic artist and member of the Ventura County Potters' Guild will be presenting a unique view into the creation of her work.
Over the past year she has worked with her daughter in producing the video she will share.
The video's focus leads us through her strong interest in animals as an artist and as a person, their forms and poses, personalities and concerns. Nina shares how she expresses this in different media, beginning with the impulse to draw them from life, then using this information in printmaking and clay work.
The format for the video is loosely based around an interview. Nina will be available to answer questions following the video.
VCPG is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: VCPG Monthly Member Meetings
Time: 6:30 PM- Gathering Time, 7 PM- Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88027588377?pwd=eGtqNkdHNVl1bXBDM25HTjdYYnVHUT09
Meeting ID: 880 2758 8377
Passcode: 893843
One tap mobile
+16699006833,,88027588377#,,,,*893843# US (San Jose)
+16694449171,,88027588377#,,,,*893843# US
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kfccJZUbf
December Board Meeting • 12/7/23 @3:00
All Guild members are invited to attend the monthly VCPG Board of Directors Meetings.
Please contact the Secretary on the Contact Us page if you would like to receive the Agenda Packet in advance of the Board of Directors Meeting.
Topic: VCPG Board of Directors Meeting
Time: 3:00 PM
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88067937721?pwd=ZlZCSElGRGZrbUlNbmo0YWh3NGtFQT09
Meeting ID: 880 6793 7721
Passcode: 558245
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kfccJZUbf
How are you coming along with your serving dish?!?
Holiday Potluck & a Clay Challenge
• Saturday • December 9th • 2-6 • at Barranca Vista Park
in Ventura (on Ralston, east of Johnson).
This year Clay Challenge is to make a serving dish for the food you will bring to the potluck. Afterwards, we will have a dish exchange that will send you home with a different serving piece. This idea was inspired by our April speaker, Polly Ann Martin, who talked about her study of culinary practices and how she incorporated the essence and heritage of the food that would be served into the design of the vessel that would hold it.
We invite you to do the same for this challenge. (If you missed the meeting, you can view it on the Videos.)
Make a plan now for what you will be bringing as your contribution to the potluck and then design away!
Sign up here: December Holiday Potluck once you know what you will be bringing.
In addition, there are Team service slots for someone to set up and break down the tables and chairs. If you have not yet fulfilled your TS for the year and plan to attend, this is a good chance to take care of that. Sign up here: Holiday Potluck/Clay Challenge.
We all had such a nice time gathering at the Pit Firing, we're very much looking forward to getting together again in December.
Free Pottery
Get Ready for the Ventura Pottery Gallery’s 4th Annual FREE POTTERY Gift with $40 Purchase!
Dear gallery artists, it's that time of the year to clean out your studios and generously contribute to this upcoming extravaganza. Donations can be brought to the gallery starting the end of November.
Let's make this holiday season unforgettable with remarkable art and joyous gifting!
Cheers to a successful selling season!
Thank you everyone who donated to the Bowl of Thanks!
Through the sale of your donated bowls, we raised just over $4,800 for Ventura's “Family Reconnect Program”. After our Bowl of Thanks event Kevin Clerici from Downtown Ventura Partners who heads the program, contacted us and wrote:
“We are over the moon thrilled with VCPG’s Bowl of Thanks Event! Thank you so much.
Recently downtown Ventura Ambassadors connected with a young man who has been trying to get into rehab. He learned today he got accepted, but he has no means to get himself to the facility in Los Angeles by his check-in date on Thursday. So we are going to get him there, either by a direct ride or train ($26).
Additionally, we helped a couple who were found sleeping near the freeway. They said they were walking to Arcata, where her sister lives. We got them set up with food, some new clothes and bus tickets. Total cost for both: $194.”
THANK YOU FOR MAKING A DIFFERENCE WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL BOWLS!
Report on the 2023 Ventura Pottery Market
The 2nd Annual Ventura Pottery Market was held in downtown Ventura on October 21st – 22nd. Seventeen artists participated in the Market which was held in conjunction with our Bowl of Thanks event (see separate article). Both events were co-sponsored by The Downtown Ventura Partners. The Downtown Ventura Partners support the Guild by helping to organize our event and paying for city fees, security and marketing for the event.
Total sales this year were $9,543, which was less than the 2022 Market ($17,007),
in which 24 artists participated. The seventeen artists participating this year earned a total of $7,634 in commissions.
Fifteen Guild Members completed their Team Service the day of the Market/Bowl of Thanks. They helped with booth layout, setup and breakdown, cashiering, staffing the Information Booth, traffic control, bowl storage and inventory and photographing the event. We certainly couldn’t have done it without them and the Marketing Team!
The Market was held earlier this year than in 2022 and the consensus among the participants is to return to a November date for 2024. Any additional feedback from members can be sent to events@vcpg.org.
It was a wonderful event on a beautiful day in downtown Ventura. Thanks to everyone who made it possible!
The VCPG Library
There’s still time to check out VCPG's professional library. Our collection currently contains 42 DVDs and over 140 books. There is something for everyone, so please take advantage of this amazing resource!
Browse the collection by visiting the Document Library under the Member Menu on VCPG.org. Click on Check Out Item to complete the check out request form. Items will be shipped at no cost to you. You can return items via mail (at your cost) or to the gallery.
Surface Development – A One Day Hands-On WORKSHOP with CJ Jilek
LIMITED SPACES still available in Sunday Workshop, February 18 - 10 AM-4 PM
See Guild/Calendar for more detailed workshop info.
The $60 member/$90 non-member fee may be paid in two installments: A $25 non-refundable deposit will hold your spot in this workshop.
A refund will be issued if the Guild cancels this workshop.
The balance of the workshop fee will be due by January 1, 2024.
(On the payment page, you may pay the full fee when you register by checking the balance due box.)
Team Service Opportunities
If you have the time to support our Guild community or still need to complete your Team Service for 2023, please check out Team Service Sign Up under Guild in the web home menu bar. Specifically look at Outreach, Ventura Pottery Market and under Programs - the Holiday Potluck. There are just a few activities remaining in the year for Plus Tier members to complete their Team Service commitment for 2023.
For Sale
Tent; 10X10, perfect condition, alum. Frame
4 zippered sides with wheeled storing and carrying case.
$300.00.
Victoria Littlejohn, 805/448/1869.
Also, assorted tools; 3 , 3 shelf rolling carts.
2 small 2' X 3' work tables with 1 drawer ea.
2 ,4 shelf free standing, 1 folding director chair