JOHN NEELY on sun 20 apr 97
Having caught up on some of the work that piled up while I was at NCECA, and
having completed my obligations to the IRS, I've gone back to catch up on a
couple of weeks of CLAYART digests, and now feel compelled to make a couple of
responses.
First off, let me borrow from the NCECA web site
(http://www.arts.ufl.edu/nceca/index.html)
> The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts is a
> professional organization of individuals whose interests, talents, or
> careers are primarily focused on the ceramic arts. It became an
> organization in 1967 after several years of affiliation with the
> Ceramics Education Council of the American Ceramic Society. NCECA is
> a non-profit educational organization under 501-C-3.
The membership is by no means limited to educators, as is reflected in this
description. It has been primarily practitioners and
"practitioners-in-training," though in the past few years there has been a
concerted effort to include collectors, curators, critics, and other members
of the greater ceramic community. Though I've never been on the board, I've
been a member since 1973 and attended enough conferences to feel that I know a
bit about the organization. I've been on panels, exhibited, juried shows,
nominated emerging talent and student fellows, etc., etc.
To those who were disappointed in NCECA this year (as well as to those who
were not) I encourage you to get involved for next year - the program is
generated by the membership (though you need not be a member to make a
proposal) It won't do to make comments that begin "They should do..." It has
has to be "We should do..." The board can only act on the proposals they
receive. Proposals are due May 1, so NOW is the time to act. There is an
official form that was in your conference packet -if you've misplaced it or
were unable to attend I'm sure it would be available from Regina Brown,
Executive Secretary, at 1-800-99-NCECA, or from:
Steve Reynolds, Programs Chair
University of Texas at San Antonio
6900 N. Loop 1604 West
San Antonio, TX 78249-0642
phone: (210) 691-4382
This incidentally, is where completed proposals are to be sent as well.
I am quite certain that there is no conspiracy afoot to promote a particular
agenda - the board does have to choose between all the proposals but there is
always concern that there is something for everyone - balance and quality are
the guiding principles.
As Louis Katz (who IS on the board - congratulations on his election are in
order) pointed out, buses and transportation to exhibition sites are perennial
problems - if you have expertise in this area, please, please volunteer.
I'm not sure anymore what the criteria are for emerging talent - at one point
it was something like "professionally involved for at least seven years." I
take this to mean out of school or training for at least seven years - which I
think is still probably a pretty good rule of thumb. It seems a little
paradoxica, perhaps, that someone could survive professionally for seven years
and still need to "emerge," but there are in fact plenty of folks out there
that fall into this category. I also know that recently a number of emerging
talents have been recent graduates, so perhaps the criteria have changed.
John Neely
neelyjc@cc.usu.edu
(parenthetically, the criteria for membership in the "Bald Headed Potters" are
not fuzzy at all - I've been quite successful in sponsoring emerging talent in
this elite organization)
Louis H.. Katz on wed 29 mar 00
Hello Clayart,
The NCECA Conference was fun this year, and I was glad to do much less
running than in years previous thanks to Ken McCollum and Cameron (last
name unknown). Muchos Gratias. The conference was very well attended
with over 3500 attendees. The shows were wonderful and I think there was
a lot of work for people of any persuasion.
This is the first year that I have not been overwhelmed with complaints
after the conference. I know that some of this is good, it was a better
conference than most with fewer technical problems, and a great
location. I would however like some feedback on what the membership
would like improved. Feel free to send it off Clayart if you wish.
Louis@nceca.net
The board already knows that it has to structure the tours different,
who gets tickets and how, but the shuttle buses seem to have run better
than ever before. Part of the reason for this is that there was an
onsite manager from the bus company helping to co-ordinate the buses,
and also excellent management by Cameron, an NCECA Volunteer and his
"staff".
We had more trouble with slide remotes than ever before but had
instructed almost all presenters to just say "slide" if there was a
problem. This was made possible by doubling the volunteer staffing in
the rooms. Ken McCollum deserves more than a little thanks for his role
in keeping presenters calm and slide projectors working.
The demos by most accounts were better than ever. We spent more money on
professional videography and it seems to have payed off. Hopefully we
will get the same value in Charlotte.
Registration left some things to be desired. There was confusion about
tours, and onsite registration was slow. I didn't show up in the
preregistration roster. So it goes.
NCECA is going through transitions. Reggie is no longer handling
membership or conference fees and our new staff person is having to fill
big shoes with a steep learning curve. Both Reggie and Minerva have been
very understanding, patient and helpful as we try to replace them.
Having a home office should help us keep things rolling.
I have a few other topics that I will express in separate emails.
Louis Katz
Wendy Rosen on wed 29 mar 00
This was my 8th NCECA... Boy have things changed over the past few years.
I remember my first experience... people came by my booth and said "Why are
YOU here?" ...well that doesn't happen anymore. I've adapted a bit and the
attendees have certainly changed over the years...
There are many more studio artists attending.
Students know there are few teaching slots open each year... they are looking
for ways to create a successful studio.
The students are very saavy about marketing and ask lots of questions that
really get down to business.
But... although the attendees and exhibitors are finding new ways to
work... the organization still seems to muddle along on the same track.
People come expecting MORE and get LESS in
the arena of programing.
The panel discussions are very weak in content. The room arrangement is
terrible. You can't see who's talking. I'm sure that every panel
discussion I've ever attended was "organized over a three martini lunch".
And the single lectures seem to be academic disertations more suited for
medical school than the arts.
There is so much opportunity for NCECA to grow if they will embrace the
studio artists and also the collectors... it's the ONLY way our community
will build value and grow members. The conference has become too large for
ONE room meetings... we need smaller break out rooms with lots of really
great topics... and when we find good presenters we should utilize them
more often than once every 3 years.
For those of you who didn't get a chance to attend my Marketing Your Work
Breakfast... I'll have some of it up in a week or so... as soon as I finish
the
RFP for this huge website....
It WAS good to see all of you in the ClayArt room... we NEED a BIGGER ROOM !!!
Please send me your thoughts off list... I'd like to collect them.
See Ya in Charlotte,
Wendy
Wendy Rosen
The Rosen Group
3000 Chestnut Ave #304
Baltimore, Maryland 21211
410.889-3093 410.243.7089 fax
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Earl Brunner on thu 30 mar 00
I particularly focused on the part of your message below.
These are concerns that I also have felt over the last three
NCECA's that
I have been to. Even in the area of education I don't think
we
are doing what we could. I would like to see more
participatory
activities and less lecture. I hated most of my lectures in
college.
It seems that frequently the presentations are wordy, almost
double
speak attempts at intellectualism. For me I had to listen
very carefully
to some speakers and then try to translate for myself.
It is after all the National Council on Education for the
Ceramic Arts.
That is, and I believe should continue to be, it's primary
focus. Not
every Ceramic Educator works in a college or even a public
or private
school. But most of us educate in some form or another.
Someone said we had about 3500 attendees this time, It's a
pity that
there couldn't be more opportunity for us to discuss instead
of just
listen. If we know that a particular topic is going to draw
large
numbers, perhaps we could have several repeat sessions so
that the rooms
can be small and more groups could get in.
If the registration materials got out sooner, perhaps we
could pre-
register for our schedules, then they would have a good idea
of group
sizes for each session. Wouldn't it be great to be able to
register
online and also sign up for which sessions we wanted to go
to?
Room arrangement and sound systems are limiting factors
imposed to
some extend by the convention facilities that we get. I
know that at
times Minerva got a bit upset with the facilities people
because they
didn't always do things the way we wanted them done.
Wendy Rosen wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message in part ------------------
> But... although the attendees and exhibitors are finding new ways to
> work... the organization still seems to muddle along on the same track.
> People come expecting MORE and get LESS in
> the arena of programing.
>
> The panel discussions are very weak in content. The room arrangement is
> terrible. You can't see who's talking. I'm sure that every panel
> discussion I've ever attended was "organized over a three martini lunch".
> And the single lectures seem to be academic disertations more suited for
> medical school than the arts.
>
> Wendy Rosen
> The Rosen Group
>
> 3000 Chestnut Ave #304
> Baltimore, Maryland 21211
> 410.889-3093 410.243.7089 fax
>
> ******************************************************************************
> *
> AmericanStyle Magazine Career Services
> http://www.americanstyle.com http://www.americancraft.com
> The Buyers Markets of American Craft
> Niche Magazine and Awards Programs
> Artist Mentor Program
> Market Insider Newsletter (FREE)
> Emerging Artist
> Internships/Scholarships
> Craft Business Institute
>
> ******************************************************************************
> *
--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec
mailto:bruec@anv.net
Louis H.. Katz on thu 30 mar 00
Dear Wendy Rosen,
> the organization still seems to muddle along on the same track.
Sorry I don't buy this. We may move slow but we move. Bus tours have more option
visit more venues. There are more shows. We have more demonstrators than most
previous years ( a few years have featured "extra" short demonstrations that too
less than 2 hours). The demonstrators are more diverse. There are more
presentations. Glaze Doctors, Kiln Doctors, Tool Doctors, Graduate Slide Room,
International Slide Room, Opportunities room, etc. etc. etc.. The commercial
booths have grown in number as have the nonprofits.
>
> People come expecting MORE and get LESS in
> the arena of programing.
How do you figure? Here is my count. I don't have a 1992 booklet.
These figures do not include video roooms, International Slide room, Graduate Sl
room Opportunities rooms etc.
1991 Thursday Morning 3 topics
2000 Thursday Morning 6 topics
1991 Thursday Afternoon 4 topics
2000 Thursday Afternoon 8 topics
1991 Friday Morning 7topics
2000 Firday Morning 8 topics
1991 Friday Afternoon 5
2000 Friday Afternoon 6
Feel free to count yourself if you wish.
> The panel discussions are very weak in content. The room arrangement is
> terrible. You can't see who's talking. I'm sure that every panel
> discussion I've ever attended was "organized over a three martini lunch".
> And the single lectures seem to be academic disertations more suited for
> medical school than the arts.
Which panels? What room arrangements? Have you every tried to get the hotels to
actually follow room plans that are submitted to them months in advance? How wo
you force panels to organize before hand other than to look carefully at proposa
and pick the best. If panels and single lectures are all bad, how should we get
better ones?
> There is so much opportunity for NCECA to grow if they will embrace the
> studio artists and also the collectors... it's the ONLY way our community
> will build value and grow members. The conference has become too large for
> ONE room meetings
If there wasn't anything for studio artists why were there so many in attendance
Collectors have always come and bought work from galleries, my wifes work and my
work. If having ONE HUNDRED AND ONE exhibitions (maybe more I didn't map them)
within forty miles of Denver doesn't attract collectors, what will?
(In 1991 there were "only" 34 exhibitions.)
> ... we need smaller break out rooms with lots of really
> great topics...
I would like smaller rooms, but this won't necessarily bring out better
presentations. Been to CAA lately? But still, more presentations in smaller room
would be great. I have favored that for years. Smaller rooms are not always
available, and when they are it is impossible to predict how many people will us
them. The membership hates it when rooms are too crowded.
> and when we find good presenters we should utilize them
> more often than once every 3 years.
Agreed. But criticism of NCECA in the past included annual complaints of it alwa
being the same people presenting, even when they were popular, good presenters.
Another rule, sometimes broken but only for good reason is that board members a
not eligible to present. I have been approached to be on several glaze panels, t
run breakout groups etc. but I am not able to accept.
> For those of you who didn't get a chance to attend my Marketing Your Work
> Breakfast... I'll have some of it up in a week or so... as soon as I finish
> the
> RFP for this huge website....
I am always looking for ways to improve the conference. I want it to be more, as
the other board members and volunteers. We work hard, and are less than perfect.
you see a way for us to improve, let us know.
By the way, 8 years ago there was no Axner Room, no Clayart Room, no Wendy Rosen
Breakfast Seminars.
See you in Charlotte.
Louis
NCECA
Louis H.. Katz on fri 31 mar 00
Earl Brunner wrote:
> Someone said we had about 3500 attendees this time, It's a
> pity that
> there couldn't be more opportunity for us to discuss instead
> of just
> listen.
> If the registration materials got out sooner, perhaps we
> could pre-
> register for our schedules, then they would have a good idea
> of group
> sizes for each session. Wouldn't it be great to be able to
> register
> online and also sign up for which sessions we wanted to go
> to?
> Room arrangement and sound systems are limiting factors
> imposed to
> some extend by the convention facilities that we get.
>
I am going to be trying to get online registration set up. I will talk to the
programs chair and Minerva about the polling of the online membership about what
they are interested in attending. I worry that we would get skewed results as th
online community is not the same as the offline one. While on the topic I am
looking for someone with some experience with SSL and online purchasing to cons
with about NCECA registration.
Several attempts have been made in the programing to try to bring out discussion
One is the breakout and topics groups. Another are the Doctors panels. Often the
events become lectures. It is unfortuante.I am not sure how to prevent it. I
suggest you propose a carefully laid out discussion for next years program.
How about this one?
-------Presentation Format Options Brainstorming-------
This discussion will focus on the different options currently in use and other
possible models for presentations at the NCECA conference.
Louis
priscilla mouritzen on thu 8 apr 10
I would like to report very shortly on my NCECA, as a counter-balance to ot=
=3D
her reports which seem to make a feature of how little of the NCECA program=
=3D
was sampled by the writers..=3D0AThe great thing about NCECA is that by pa=
rt=3D
icipating in as much as possible you have a greater chance that unexpected =
=3D
treats will hit you - and I experienced several of these:=3D0ANancy Utterbu=
ck=3D
's lecture on the sustainability of woodfiring was one; several presentatio=
=3D
ns in the International Forum were illuminating - Michael Moore's on Irish =
=3D
Ceramics for example; Helen Drutt on the panel "Philadelphia - A Magnet for=
=3D
Clay" was worth getting up early for on the conference's first day; Emergi=
=3D
ng Artists Nidhi Jalan and D.H. Rosen I am glad not to have missed..... I c=
=3D
ould go on and on.=3D0AAmongst the exhibitions: "Dis/Connecting Domesticity=
" =3D
curated by Gail Brown - wonderful and memorable and =3DE2=3D80=3D9CPortrai=
ture B=3D
eyond Likeness.=3DE2=3D80=3D9D curated by Jo Lauria at the Wayne Art Center=
. =3D0AI=3D
have photos of several exhibitions on my blog and more on flickr=3D0AGreet=
in=3D
gs from=3D0APriscilla Mouritzen=3D0ABack in Denmark where spring is only ju=
st s=3D
howing first signs.=3D0A=3D0A=3D0A
Lee Burningham on thu 8 apr 10
Howdy,
=3D20
I echo what Priscilla has said and encourager you all to let NCECA know
what you want more of by writing proposals to present the kinds of
things that stir your interest and ignite your passion.
=3D20
When Bob Feder, Leah Schlief, and I went to NCECA almost twenty years
ago to ask for more k12 centered activities and presentations, the
response was, "NCECA is a member -driven institution, it is up to you to
make it what you want it to be." That was the beginning of the k12 show.
We made it what we wanted it to be.=3D20
=3D20
NCECA is the same way with Clayart and Potter's Council and everybody
else. The input must be made from the membership. The energy comes from
the membership. The ideas MUST come from the membership. Nobody has a
monopoly on good ideas for the potters' organizations. SHARE! I will be
glad to carry your ideas back to the NCECA board and make things
happen.
=3D20
Lee Burningham
>>> priscilla mouritzen 4/8/2010 5:12 AM >>>
I would like to report very shortly on my NCECA, as a counter-balance
to other reports which seem to make a feature of how little of the NCECA
program was sampled by the writers..
The great thing about NCECA is that by participating in as much as
possible you have a greater chance that unexpected treats will hit you -
and I experienced several of these:
Nancy Utterbuck's lecture on the sustainability of woodfiring was one;
several presentations in the International Forum were illuminating -
Michael Moore's on Irish Ceramics for example; Helen Drutt on the panel
"Philadelphia - A Magnet for Clay" was worth getting up early for on the
conference's first day; Emerging Artists Nidhi Jalan and D.H. Rosen I am
glad not to have missed..... I could go on and on.
Amongst the exhibitions: "Dis/Connecting Domesticity" curated by Gail
Brown - wonderful and memorable and =3DE2=3D80=3D9CPortraiture Beyond =3D
Likeness.=3DE2=3D80=3D9D
curated by Jo Lauria at the Wayne Art Center.=3D20
I have photos of several exhibitions on my blog and more on flickr
Greetings from
Priscilla Mouritzen
Back in Denmark where spring is only just showing first signs.
Taylor Hendrix on thu 8 apr 10
Just in case someone on the list wasn't sure what Madam Mouritzen's
flicker addy is.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/woodfirer/
or her blog
http://pinchpots.blogspot.com/
Rock on everybody,
Taylor, in Rockport TX
wirerabbit1 on Skype (-0600 UTC)
http://wirerabbit.blogspot.com
http://wirerabbitpots.blogspot.com
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wirerabbit/
On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 6:12 AM, priscilla mouritzen w=
rote:
...
> I have photos of several exhibitions on my blog and more on flickr
> Greetings from
> Priscilla Mouritzen
> Back in Denmark where spring is only just showing first signs.
...
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