Andrew & Laura Conley on thu 11 sep 97
I have only been in clay for 1 1/2 years and know very little of guilds.
The only comments I regularly hear are "you'll never get in" or "they
are not very accessible" or "they won't even speak to you." What are
these comments about? What functions do guilds have? Are they really
so elitist? Why? Who are the members?
Thanks for the clarification,
Laura
Dan Wilson on fri 12 sep 97
Laura,
You may know that Guilds are a very old tradition in the arts and crafts.
In their original form they were associations of craftspeople from various
disciplines who offered their services to clients on a commission basis
ranging from public works to private projects. The benifit of the guild
to the craftspersion was that by being a member of a reputable Guild one
could be sure of making a living with their work. Today the guild has taken
a more specialized approach but the basic premis is the same. A potters
guild is an assosiation of potters offering their goods and services to the
public and private sector. Well established and successful guilds are
careful about their reputations. Thats reasonable, I think you'll agree. A
guilds reputation determines its success and by extension the success of
its individual members. Therefore what may seem an elitist approach is in
reality good business practice. Becomming a member of a guild is just like
applying for a job. You present yourself and examples of your work to the
guild. If your work is of sufficient quality and if it is of a kind that is
in keeping with the products and services offered by the members and if
there is a need to expand the guilds offerings by one member or replace a
product or service that has been lost and if in the judgement of the
members your product or service will benifit the guild you will be
accepted. It is also important that all members of the guild be able to get
along for co-operation is important to the guilds success. If it is
determined by the members, usualy by interviewing you, that you would fit
in and assuming all other requirements have been met. You become a member.
Its not personal, its good business practice. I hope this helps. As an
afterthought some consideration might be given to the Co-operative, a more
loosley formed association of potters/artists.
Dan Wilson
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>I have only been in clay for 1 1/2 years and know very little of guilds.
> The only comments I regularly hear are "you'll never get in" or "they
>are not very accessible" or "they won't even speak to you." What are
>these comments about? What functions do guilds have? Are they really
>so elitist? Why? Who are the members?
>
>Thanks for the clarification,
>Laura
"Are you fearless? Can you compete without getting personal? Maybe you can
go into business too."
http://www.nas.com/~dwilson/
Rick Sherman on sun 14 sep 97
--------------------original message-------------------------------
I have only been in clay for 1 1/2 years and know very little of
guilds. The only comments I regularly hear are "you'll never get in"
or "they are not very accessible" or "they won't even speak to you."
What are these comments about? What functions do guilds have? Are
they really so elitist? Why? Who are the members?
Thanks for the clarification,
Laura
-------------------------response----------------------------------
Laura, there are a lot of different cermamic guilds, associations and
cooperatives in the US of A as well as other countries. They are
formed for different reasons and serve different purposes. Joseph
Herbert described the cooperative, designed to provides studio space
and factilities to a group of potters. There are informal
associations providing an opportunity for clay artists to meet
informally. There are more structured organizations which offer
workshops, exhibitions and sales. The range of these organizations
offer a whole menue of opprtinities for those who want to meet and
share ideas and prospects with others who work in clay. There are
newsletters, exhibits, workshops, parties, and a great opportunity to
network.
Yes, some do jury for membership but may provide alternative
membership to those who don't make the cut. My organization was
started 53 years ago by Carlton Ball to provide potters an opportunity
to exhibit. They did not jury as it was considered elitist. Now we
jury for exhibiting membership but offer associate membership to those
who did not pass the jury. Frankly, I have mixed emotions about this
but anyone can jury as many time as they wish. There are other groups
as large and as old as ours which don't jury except for exhibition.
If you want to know more about what is going on in the world of clay
guilds, you might subscribe to the Studio Potter Network Newsletter.
The editor is Jean Siverman who can be contacted at 41 Neal Mill Road,
Newmarket, NH. (508) 281-3512. Or get a subscription to Studio Potter
and the Newsletter together: Dept C Box 70, Goffstown, NH 03045, (603)
774-3582.
Incidently, the creation of guilds was in the middle ages as both a
craft union and a method for training craftsmen. One moved from
Apprentice to Jouneyman to Master Craftsman. It could take years and
one might never reach the top. One of the most powerful politically
was the Flemish Weavers Guild.
Rick Sherman
California Crafts Network
Unruly JuliE on sun 14 sep 97
Laura,
I have no idea whaere any comments like this would come from. I am the
secretary for the West Michigan Potters Guild, and we are certainly open
to anyone, professionals, beginners (we have many new ones), part-timers
and just want to be around other clay people in our guild. We try to
have mini workshops at all general meetings (5-6 a year) with the
mundane bussiness being conducted mainly at the board meetings (4-5 a
year). We hold two shows each year, which our only two membership
requirements pertain to (length of membershipo and attendance, to weed
out people who join EXCULSEVLY to participate in our very succesful fall
show). As this is an all volunteer group, we want EVERYONE to get
involved in all aspects of membership, including running for officer's
and being on the board. We welcome any and all new members. As you are
from the Michigan area, our membership includes people from other than
West Michigan, so if you would like more info, please reply to me
personaly.
JuliE in Grand Rapids
muddpie@iserv.net
Chris Campbell on mon 12 dec 05
Tony C wrote -
'Guilds are a great starting place in ones profession'
which brought to mind a question for you all ...
Does anyone belong to a guild that is more than a
pottery club?
One that has levels to attain, standards to meet and
serious teaching at the core?
One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
at this level before you can sell at our show?
If so, I would love to know how they achieved it.
Chris Campbell - in North Carolina - I thought guilds were
supposed to lift, not level.
Chris Campbell Pottery LLC
9417 Koupela Drive
Raleigh NC 27615-2233
Fine Colored Porcelain since 1989
1-800-652-1008
Fax : 919-676-2062
website: www.ccpottery.com
wholesale : www.wholesalecrafts.com
John Hesselberth on mon 12 dec 05
On Dec 12, 2005, at 10:43 AM, Chris Campbell wrote:
> Does anyone belong to a guild that is more than a
> pottery club?
>
> One that has levels to attain, standards to meet and
> serious teaching at the core?
>
> One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
> at this level before you can sell at our show?
Hi Chris,
The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen does most of the above. We have a
Standards Committee and state and local jurying systems. At the state
level, you have to present your work live (the actual work + a set of
slides of that work--the slides are kept on file) and have it gone
over by a jury of your peers to gain juried status. I found it a very
constructive process--I failed the first time, was told what I needed
to work on, and passed the second time. All our shows are juried by
slides and we have--on rare occasion--asked a person to leave a show
and refunded their booth fee when we felt the work was not up to the
standard they showed in their slides. We conduct 30 or so workshops a
year that are well attended--that program is growing. The workshops
cover both craft and business subjects. We also put on 5-6 shows a
year at the state level and the various chapters--many of them at
least--put on a show themselves
We currently have only local and state juried status but are
considering adding another level--maybe one that is by nomination of
your peers rather than something you can apply for. Time will tell if
that comes to pass.
I won't pretend it is a perfect organization, but it certainly is a
positive force in the lives of many crafts people in PA and
surrounding states. Visit our web site at http://www.pacrafts.com to
get an idea of what we are up to (a tiny photo of one of my pots even
made it to the home page). Membership is open to all.
How did we do it? Beats me. The organization is 60 years old and has
1700-1800 members from 37 states, although the vast majority are from
PA, NJ, DE, MD, and NY. We are heavily volunteer driven, but do have
2 full time employees and a nearly-full-time office manager. It has
been working at it a long time and is on the verge of making the next
leap forward. Exciting times. I posted our ad for a new Executive
Director last August on Clayart. We have a Board meeting this
Wednesday and expect to formally hire that person. Assuming that
happen, I'll post a copy of the press release when it is available.
Regards,
John
State juried member, The Pennsylvania Guild of Craftsmen
clennell on mon 12 dec 05
Sour Cherry Pottery
> One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
> at this level before you can sell at our show?
>
> If so, I would love to know how they achieved it.
>
> Chris Campbell - in North Carolina - I thought guilds were
> supposed to lift, not level.
CC: the Hamilton Potters Guild is a fine group that's mandate is education
and they arrange a mini workshop/speaker for every monthly meeting. Money is
always available for members to attend workshops and conferences with the
condition being they write about the experience for the newsletter.
That said- For our guild sales standards are strictly adheared to about
crazing, smoooth bottoms etc but ugly is "in" as long as it meets technical
standards. Every member is allowed to sell no matter what level they are at.
Each year we have a biennial show. It had been the case that a juror was
brought in, but was instructed to pick at least one piece of each members
work. There would be a gala opening with great food and wine. Hundreds of
members would attend. Last year the biennial committee was struck and Sheila
was one of the members. The committee suggested the show be juried with only
the best in the show being shown. About 30-40 pieces were chosen. the food
and wine was ordered and the jurors (man and women) were to speak at
opening. About 30-40 people showed up. Of course the people that had work in
the show. Food was wasted and it was most disappointing that our members
didn't have the will to go see what had been chosen as the best in the
guild. They love their own work best of all and don't want to look at work
that might challenge them to rethink their own work. I called it The Sour
Grapes Show.
HPG members read Clayart. I could be in ca-ca but I'm consistent and they
know my views and I think respect me for that. I belong and I'd do anything
for the guild. You can't drag them out of the basement if they don't want to
go. It's hard enough dragging my own sorry butt sometimes.
Cheers,
Tony
Tony and Sheila Clennell
Sour Cherry Pottery
4545 King Street
Beamsville, Ontario
CANADA L0R 1B1
http://www.sourcherrypottery.com
lela martens on mon 12 dec 05
Our guild is 40 years old.
We are bursting at the seams beacuse of lack of space and a city council
that usually isn`t particularly into arts and culture, but right now there
are a couple who have accepted a proposal to make legitimate, that arts and
culture are on record, that it is for the city`s benefit..boy, did that
take work..
Ours`s is a teaching guild. With having clay thrown out of the university,
then the local college, it is the only place people can go to learn clay.
The art`s council offers beginer`s classes, then it`s up to our guild to
help. We are blessed with a former teacher who just can`t help but teach
clay.
So, our `standards` aren`t high for beginners. We encourage and help anyone
who is interested, it`s our mandate.
I had to get on the `board` of the arts council awhile back to pass the
motion that our guild and other member groups have access 24/7 ..it is in
our contract, and explain that potters kilns don`t run office
hours...sheese.
.boards..another frustrating subject for another day.
The levels of quality..we are loose with..have to be, because of a ballance
between encouraging newbies and what our regular customers are looking for.
It is a constant problem of not hurting feelings,different standards,
differing ideas on pricing. and our regular customers know what they are
looking for.
So, it is more than a pottery club, those who want to give it a shot get
their feet wet, some grab the addiction, some go on to to other things that
fit them better., but we are still bursting for lack of facility..
From Lela who has issues about our art`s council, but got a lovely
handpainted watercolour painting in the mail today from Denmark by a cousin
with snap shots of them studying stave churches , waterfalls, lace making,
and Viking ships..
Coincidence?
The friend who will be my travel buddy to Denmark this summer is still
working on our site..so, I have nothing to offer there. And am thinking
about getting a kitten, but need a strong cage for it first..ole ginger cat
might take time to get used to the idea..we`ll see how it goes.no
committments yet
Best wishes..though I think I will start leaving with `mange
hillsen`..Danish for similar..practicing...
>>Does anyone belong to a guild that is more than a
>>pottery club?
>>
>>One that has levels to attain, standards to meet and
>>serious teaching at the core?
>>
>>One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
>>at this level before you can sell at our show?
>
_________________________________________________________________
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L. P. Skeen on mon 12 dec 05
Only thing like this I"ve ever heard of is Piedmont Craftsmen, and if they
do any teaching at all, I don't know about it.
L
----- Original Message -----
>>>Does anyone belong to a guild that is more than a
>>>pottery club?
>>>
>>>One that has levels to attain, standards to meet and
>>>serious teaching at the core?
>>>
>>>One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
>>>at this level before you can sell at our show?
>>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Don't just Search. Find! http://search.sympatico.msn.ca/default.aspx The
> new
> MSN Search! Check it out!
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
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>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.
>
lela martens on mon 12 dec 05
Standards are tricky, as I just wrote..to encourage, but at the same time
raise the bar.
Just after writing my last message, had the urge to give a gift of a John
Glick plate..I bought 2 small ones, one to keep,and hang on new walls, but
knew I`d need the other to pass to someone who appreciated.
to that wonderful woman of our guild who can`t help but teach. She taught in
the local college for years, but the program was thrown out for computer
space.
Hung it on her front door a big red Santa bag, because she is busy teaching
at the guild and taking care of her 97 year old mother, as well as
babysitting her grandkids., so never know when she is home..thought it
simpler that way.
She just called to thank, started to cry as she fondled the plate.
Quality is my aim, because of learning through this list., but her `not up
to standards` work is because she is more focused on teaching, encouraging.
There shouldn`t be a debate about which is more important..at least I don`t
think so..today..my opinion may change tomorrow..menopause.. and Kelly..why
is the word men in menopause!?
Never mind..just these thoughts that go through.
Lela..on the Canadian prairie, Viking, and waiting for daughter to get back
and hear her voice again.
This empty nest stuff getting though.
>From: clennell
>Reply-To: Clayart
>To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
>Subject: Re: Pottery Guilds
>Date: Mon, 12 Dec 2005 16:14:48 -0500
>
>Sour Cherry Pottery
>
> > One that is not afraid to say ... your pottery must be
> > at this level before you can sell at our show?
> >
> > If so, I would love to know how they achieved it.
> >
> > Chris Campbell - in North Carolina - I thought guilds were
> > supposed to lift, not level.
>
>CC: the Hamilton Potters Guild is a fine group that's mandate is education
>and they arrange a mini workshop/speaker for every monthly meeting. Money
>is
>always available for members to attend workshops and conferences with the
>condition being they write about the experience for the newsletter.
>That said- For our guild sales standards are strictly adheared to about
>crazing, smoooth bottoms etc but ugly is "in" as long as it meets technical
>standards. Every member is allowed to sell no matter what level they are
>at.
>Each year we have a biennial show. It had been the case that a juror was
>brought in, but was instructed to pick at least one piece of each members
>work. There would be a gala opening with great food and wine. Hundreds of
>members would attend. Last year the biennial committee was struck and
>Sheila
>was one of the members. The committee suggested the show be juried with
>only
>the best in the show being shown. About 30-40 pieces were chosen. the food
>and wine was ordered and the jurors (man and women) were to speak at
>opening. About 30-40 people showed up. Of course the people that had work
>in
>the show. Food was wasted and it was most disappointing that our members
>didn't have the will to go see what had been chosen as the best in the
>guild. They love their own work best of all and don't want to look at work
>that might challenge them to rethink their own work. I called it The Sour
>Grapes Show.
>HPG members read Clayart. I could be in ca-ca but I'm consistent and they
>know my views and I think respect me for that. I belong and I'd do anything
>for the guild. You can't drag them out of the basement if they don't want
>to
>go. It's hard enough dragging my own sorry butt sometimes.
>Cheers,
>Tony
>Tony and Sheila Clennell
>Sour Cherry Pottery
>4545 King Street
>Beamsville, Ontario
>CANADA L0R 1B1
>http://www.sourcherrypottery.com
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
>melpots@pclink.com.
_________________________________________________________________
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