Carla on sun 21 mar 99
I got out of bed this morning only to find that there were no demonstrations=
to
watch, no lectures to listen to, no slide presentations to see, no exhibits =
to
drool over, no new toys and books to buy, no martinis to drink, and worst of
all, no Clayarters to talk to. Actually, the worst part was having =
breakfast
without my friend, Russel. I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach =
(no to
be confused with the slight hangovers I seemed to experience the past few
mornings) and I realized that I must be going through NCECA withdrawal=21 =
This
may sound a bit weird to those of you that interact with other potters on a
regular basis, but when you're relatively isolated from your peers, the =
NCECA
conference becomes one big =22clay fix=22. So much pottery, sculpture and
unidentifiable clay stuff all in one place. What a rush=21
The Clayart mug exchange was very much like Clayart itself.....informative,
exciting, chaotic and just to the brink of being totally out of hand (I felt
like I was in the middle of the trading floor on Wall Street). But, thanks =
to
the mug exchange =22moderators=22 it all worked out beautifully. Thank you =
to
everyone who was responsible for coordinating the exchange. There were also=
a
few of us who brought extra mugs and traded them individually, sort of like
Olympic pins. Ron Roy, who by the way, is a very sweet and generous man, =
also
gave me one his tenmoku cups to replace the one I bashed into my sink =
faucet. I
bought it in the Rochester cup sale and it was my favorite=21 Thanks again,=
Ron=21
I came home with some really terrific mugs.
For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to meet in person, let me =
just
tell you that this group is full of the most warm, friendly, intelligent,
fun-loving and CIVILIZED people you'd ever want to know. No matter how =
heated
the past discussions have been, everyone made peace and the Clayart room was
like an oasis from the rest of the conference....a place to meet and regroup
surrounded by people you're comfortable with. If you've ever complained =
about
some of the list discussions and threatened to drop off simply because =
you're
=22irritated=22, then I don't think you truly understand the depth of the =
resources
and the value of the information available for FREE via Clayart. Some of =
the
best =22clay minds=22 in the business are regulars on this list=21 They =
write the
books and they walk the walk. These regular contributors are full time
educators and/or producers who consistently give up a tremendous amount of =
their
time helping us with our problems so hit the delete button if you can't =
stand
the heat, but don't get out of the kitchen=21 Now I have to say something =
about
the two people who are responsible for this =22kitchen=22, Richard Burkett =
and Joe
Molinaro. What great guys they are=21 Friendly, intelligent, very talented=
with
terrific senses of humor AND they're cute=21 I feel very fortunate to know =
them.
Thanks again for starting this list=21=21
A few of my NCECA observations:
You haven't lived until you've seen Sir Mel (aka Mel san) give a brief
dissertation on walleye pike.
Ron Roy and Robin Hopper don't quite see eye to eye where glaze formulation =
is
concerned. Go figure.
Any workshop given by any Clayarter has to be good because ALL of their =
NCECA
presentations were.
Louis Katz does the coolest video animations (clay related, of course).
In my next life, I want to come back as Bacia Edelman. She's a wonderful =
human
being and a terrific artist. I just love her=21
In my next life, I want to come back as Mishy Lowe. She's as beautiful =
inside
as she is on the outside.
Keith Chervenak is a terrific person to be around.
Linda Blossom is one of the most truly honest people I've ever met. She's =
also
a real sweetheart
If they're a Clayarter with a Southern accent, you're going to have big fun =
with
them. (Lori Leary is a doll)
If they're a Clayarter with a Canadian accent, you're going to have big fun =
with
them.
If they're a Clayarter with any accent, you're going to have big fun with =
them.
If your conversation with Vince Pitelka lasts longer than 60 seconds, you =
will
develop a sore neck from looking so far up.
There are actually Clayarters shorter than me. Hi Millie=21
Sixty percent of all Clayarters are addicted to chocolate, especially the
imported Belgian kind.
Six percent of all Clayarters are addicted to martinis. They also seem to =
have
the most fun.
Dannon Rhudy has the most beautiful eyes.
There are some really handsome men in Clayart. A few of their rear ends =
scored a
perfect 10.
There are some really pretty women in Clayart. You'll have to ask someone =
else
about their rear ends.
Well, that's it. If you didn't make it to Columbus, there's always Denver.
Carla
Vince Pitelka on mon 22 mar 99
>Well, that's it. If you didn't make it to Columbus, there's always Denver.
>Carla
I can't add much to Carla's post about NCECA. This was a superb one. Some
said that the sessions perhaps were not as good as in past conferences.
Some said they were better. I only attended a few events, and they were all
superb - John Neely's presentation on "Wood Firing in the Millenium", and a
panel discussion on subjective content in ceramic sculpture. Both were
excellent. The emerging talent slide shows on Saturday morning were among
the best I have seen. I was unable to attend most of the exhibitions, but
the ones I saw were superb. Other Clayarters in attendance will no doubt
comment on them.
Aside from the above I spent the entire three days at my table in the
non-profit exhibitor's area. Because we were in the same space with the
commercial exhibitors, and because the ongoing demonstrations were next
door, things were really jumping almost continuously from Wednesday morning
to Friday afternoon. What an improvement over the out-of-the-way placement
of the non-profit exhibitors in the last two NCECAs. I am surprised my
voice did not give out. I feel that I made significant progress towards
restoring the Appalachian Center for Crafts in the national consciousness of
fine craft. We need so badly for word to get around that we are back on
very sound footing, with the future looking so good, and this kind of event
presents such a great opportunity for positive publicity. And it was such a
pleasure having so many Clayarters stop by my table to say hello.
And, as Carla explained so well, the Clayart room was such a delight -
always a good group of people talking in little clutches about a myriad of
things ceramic and otherwise. On Wednesday evening when I walked in for the
first time, Ron Roy and others were over in the corner, deeply engrossed in
Ron's Mac G3 powerbook. It was perfect. And it was such a pleasure meeting
more Clayart friends for the first time in person - Harvey Sadow, George Van
Ostrand, Liz Willoughby, Kurt Wild, Tom Buck, Bonnie Hellman, Sam the Cat
Lady, John Baymore, (sorry to anyone I left out) plus of course getting to
hang out with so many that I knew from previous NCECAs. We owe a big thanks
to Bill Jones and _Pottery Making Illustrated_ for hosting the Clayart room,
and another big thanks to Feriz and Alice Delkic of ITC for the wonderful
reception on Thursday afternoon, with that amazing table full of food.
What a great four days. This was a good 'un. Start making plans for Denver.
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Fabienne Cassman on mon 22 mar 99
------------------
I second that, Carla :)
It was my first NCECA Conference I went to and it was nirvana. I
apprehensively ventured outside my cushy little known world to Columbus by
myself and must say that I realize that I feel more lonely now=3B it's so
quiet here.
The Clayart room was really the best thing that could have ever happened=3B
it was a great meeting point and I can safely say that all it took was one
visit to it to be hooked and keep coming back. At any time, there was at
least someone to meet, to exchange ideas with, to ask questions to, to
laugh with, to tease, to be in awe with, to have drink with, to have dinner
with, and/or to go to a panel/lecture. Thank you for organizing it.
If you are looking for good natured, knowledgeable and generous
individuals, NCECA is the place to go.
It was really a pleasure to meet everyone and to finally experience the
human side of Clayart.
PS I thought I'd make your mouth water by telling you that I am planning
on putting up the pictures I took within the next few weeks as time
permits, of course. I'll post the link when done. I will try to put names
along with the pictures, too. In the meantime, if you think you are in my
pictures and have an objection to be viewed/named, please, let me know and
I'll strike you off it.
Cheers,
=A4=BA=B0=60=B0=BA=A4=F8,=B8=B8,=F8=A4=BA=B0=60=B0=BA=A4=F8,=B8=B8,=F8=A4=BA=
=B0=60=B0=BA=A4=F8,=B8=B8,=F8=A4=BA=B0=60=B0=BA=A4=F8,=B8=B8,=F8=A4=BA=B0=60
Faye
Yes, I have learned from my mistakes...
I can reproduce them exactly.
Bill and Sylvia Shirley on mon 22 mar 99
Carla,
I assume you meant to encourage people to attend NCECA conferences, but
for me your post has had just the opposite effect. I doubt I'll attend
next year in Denver, and I'm sure I won't be visiting the Clayart room.
With thousands of people subscribing to clayart, I can't believe I'm the
only one who feels this way.
Don't get me wrong, I really would love to meet all the people I've read
so much from and about. I'm sure they're very nice people, and have
given me a lot of answers and inspiration. Sometimes they've made me
laugh, too. And, boy, would I love to taste that Belgian chocolate.
But there's something about what you said that bothers me a lot. (I'll
probably have to quit Clayart after this, but it needs to be said.)
I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a pretty
person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the person at
the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to ask
a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
in the mirror.
I know this will come off sounding like a wounded, insecure teenager,
but that's too bad. It would be really nice if the world wasn't one big
beauty contest.
Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
Sylvia Shirley
(wishing I could be anonymous - I know I'm going to regret sending this)
Michelle Lowe on mon 22 mar 99
Carla wrote:
>I got out of bed this morning only to find that there were no
demonstrations to
>watch, no lectures to listen to, no slide presentations to see, no
exhibits to
>drool over, no new toys and books to buy, no martinis to drink, and worst of
>all, no Clayarters to talk to. Actually, the worst part was having breakfast
>without my friend, Russel. I started to get a sick feeling in my stomach
(not to
>be confused with the slight hangovers I seemed to experience the past few
>mornings) and I realized that I must be going through NCECA withdrawal!
>This may sound a bit weird to those of you that interact with other
potters on a
>regular basis, but when you're relatively isolated from your peers, the
>NCECA conference becomes one big "clay fix". So much pottery, sculpture and
>unidentifiable clay stuff all in one place. What a rush!
YES, wow Carla, you describe it all very well! This woman is a fireball
and I got a really cute picture of her for my web site when I get to
posting, I will let ya all know when I get a chance to put them up! Still
waiting on Kathy McDonald to zip and email me some photos I shot and
downloaded onto her laptop.
>The Clayart mug exchange was very much like Clayart itself.....informative,
>exciting, chaotic and just to the brink of being totally out of hand (I felt
>like I was in the middle of the trading floor on Wall Street). But,
thanks to
>the mug exchange "moderators" it all worked out beautifully. Thank you to
>everyone who was responsible for coordinating the exchange. There were
also a
>few of us who brought extra mugs and traded them individually, sort of like
>Olympic pins. Ron Roy, who by the way, is a very sweet and generous man,
>also gave me one his tenmoku cups to replace the one I bashed into my sink
>faucet.
And Richard Burkett won Ron's mug in the exchange and NO HE WON'T TRADE
ANYONE.
>I bought it in the Rochester cup sale and it was my favorite! Thanks again,
>Ron! I came home with some really terrific mugs.
My Carla mug was a fantastic wine cup, thanks for trading with me!
>For those of you who haven't had the opportunity to meet in person, let me
>just tell you that this group is full of the most warm, friendly,
intelligent,
>fun-loving and CIVILIZED people you'd ever want to know. No matter how
>heated the past discussions have been, everyone made peace and the Clayart
room was
>like an oasis from the rest of the conference....a place to meet and regroup
>surrounded by people you're comfortable with. If you've ever complained about
>some of the list discussions and threatened to drop off simply because
>you're "irritated", then I don't think you truly understand the depth of
the resources
>and the value of the information available for FREE via Clayart. Some of the
>best "clay minds" in the business are regulars on this list! They write the
>books and they walk the walk. These regular contributors are full time
>educators and/or producers who consistently give up a tremendous amount of
their
>time helping us with our problems so hit the delete button if you can't
>stand the heat, but don't get out of the kitchen!
Yes it's true, the best benefit is the connection, absolutely invaluable in
many ways.
> Now I have to say something about
>the two people who are responsible for this "kitchen", Richard Burkett and
Joe
>Molinaro. What great guys they are! Friendly, intelligent, very talented
with
>terrific senses of humor AND they're cute! I feel very fortunate to know
>them. Thanks again for starting this list!!
Yes, thanks Richard and Joe, and thanks for the dances ;-)
>A few of my NCECA observations:
>
>You haven't lived until you've seen Sir Mel (aka Mel san) give a brief
>dissertation on walleye pike.
He's doing a workshop for us in a couple weeks, I'll have to remind him to
tell it
>Ron Roy and Robin Hopper don't quite see eye to eye where glaze
formulation is
>concerned. Go figure.
Hah. And I had to leave that lecture early, no fair.
>Louis Katz does the coolest video animations (clay related, of course).
He plays a mean harmonica too, provided some great ambience for the mug
trade a la Wall St.
>In my next life, I want to come back as Bacia Edelman. She's a wonderful
human
>being and a terrific artist. I just love her!
Yes! Look for a picture of Bacia on the upcoming page.
>In my next life, I want to come back as Mishy Lowe. She's as beautiful
inside
>as she is on the outside.
Aw shucks...you're such a cutie pie yourself! Thanks Carla.
>Keith Chervenak is a terrific person to be around.
Is that really "Dr." Chernovak?
>Linda Blossom is one of the most truly honest people I've ever met. She's
>also a real sweetheart
>If they're a Clayarter with a Southern accent, you're going to have big fun
>with hem. (Lori Leary is a doll)
>If they're a Clayarter with a Canadian accent, you're going to have big fun
>with them.
>If they're a Clayarter with any accent, you're going to have big fun with
>them.
Like yours, just exactly what is it... Hispanic/Italian/Brooklyn?
>If your conversation with Vince Pitelka lasts longer than 60 seconds, you
will
>develop a sore neck from looking so far up.
>There are actually Clayarters shorter than me. Hi Millie!
>Sixty percent of all Clayarters are addicted to chocolate, especially the
>imported Belgian kind.
>Six percent of all Clayarters are addicted to martinis. They also seem to
>have the most fun.
>Dannon Rhudy has the most beautiful eyes.
>There are some really handsome men in Clayart. A few of their rear ends
>scored a perfect 10.
>There are some really pretty women in Clayart. You'll have to ask someone
>else about their rear ends.
Thanks again Carla, wonderful post that really gives you a sense of the
real thing!
>Well, that's it. If you didn't make it to Columbus, there's always Denver.
Hoping to see you all there!
Mishy
Michelle Lowe, potter in the Phoenix desert \|/ |
mishlowe@indirect.com -O- | |
mishlowe@aztec.asu.edu /|\ | | |
|_|_|
____ |
http://www.amug.org/~mishlowe -\ /-----|-----
( )
<__>
Barbara Lewis on tue 23 mar 99
Shirley: Please don't regret sending your message. Actually, your
description of yourself sounds like half of the people at the Clayart Room
;> I didn't meet as many people as I had hoped. I had wanted to meet Linda
Blossom and Vince Pitelka and at least a half a dozen others but I came with
a sizeable group from Maryland and it seemed to be all I could handle with
coordinating our own schedules.
While I can't point to any singular event, all of the things at NCECA formed
a wonderful impression in my mind. I'll be at next year's, but I'll be
certain to get a room at one of the lowest floors possible! And, Sylvia, I
hope you'll reconsider. All the best, Barbara
At 04:28 PM 3/22/99 EST, you wrote:
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Carla,
>
>I assume you meant to encourage people to attend NCECA conferences, but
>for me your post has had just the opposite effect. I doubt I'll attend
>next year in Denver, and I'm sure I won't be visiting the Clayart room.
>With thousands of people subscribing to clayart, I can't believe I'm the
>only one who feels this way.
>
>Don't get me wrong, I really would love to meet all the people I've read
>so much from and about. I'm sure they're very nice people, and have
>given me a lot of answers and inspiration. Sometimes they've made me
>laugh, too. And, boy, would I love to taste that Belgian chocolate.
>But there's something about what you said that bothers me a lot. (I'll
>probably have to quit Clayart after this, but it needs to be said.)
>
>I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a pretty
>person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
>misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
>I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
>and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the person at
>the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to ask
>a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
>friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
>speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
>much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
>because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
>in the mirror.
>
>I know this will come off sounding like a wounded, insecure teenager,
>but that's too bad. It would be really nice if the world wasn't one big
>beauty contest.
>
>Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
>recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
>
>Sylvia Shirley
>(wishing I could be anonymous - I know I'm going to regret sending this)
>
Wellspring Clayworks
5412 Well Spring Road
La Plata, MD 20646
blewis@crosslink.net
Alison Hamilton on tue 23 mar 99
Dear Sylvia,
I think you were REALLY BRAVE to say this! I applaud your courage. Way
to go!! You have a wonderful ability to name things clearly - a skill I
admire greatly. I hope that when I have the courage to finally attend
NCECA, I'll be able to meet you.
Alison Hamilton
Dorset, ON
> I smile and try to be
> friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
> speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
> much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
> because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
> in the mirror.
Berry Silverman on tue 23 mar 99
Bill and Sylvia Shirley wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original
message----------------------------
> Carla,
>
> I assume you meant to encourage people to attend NCECA conferences,
but
> for me your post has had just the opposite effect. I doubt I'll
attend
> next year in Denver, and I'm sure I won't be visiting the Clayart
room.
> With thousands of people subscribing to clayart, I can't believe I'm
the
> only one who feels this way.
>
> Don't get me wrong, I really would love to meet all the people I've
read
> so much from and about. I'm sure they're very nice people, and have
> given me a lot of answers and inspiration. Sometimes they've made me
> laugh, too. And, boy, would I love to taste that Belgian chocolate.
> But there's something about what you said that bothers me a lot.
(I'll
> probably have to quit Clayart after this, but it needs to be said.)
>
> I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a
pretty
> person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
> misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
> I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
> and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the
person at
> the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to
ask
> a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
> friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all.
When I
> speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I
communicate
> much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
> because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not
what's
> in the mirror.
>
> I know this will come off sounding like a wounded, insecure teenager,
> but that's too bad. It would be really nice if the world wasn't one
big
> beauty contest.
>
> Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
> recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
>
> Sylvia Shirley
> (wishing I could be anonymous - I know I'm going to regret sending
this)
>
Sylvia, I think we are all teenagers at heart. That's why some of us
feel insecure and also why others flirt with the cute guys. I know
that I will never look as forever young as Mishy, even though I don't
know what she looks like; I may not get a hug from Vince (that's a lot
of work, to hug everyone in Clayart). A part of me thinks, well, how
welcome is a slipcaster (shudder) at NCECA? And for me that may loom
as large as your concerns about outward beauty and shyness.
I agree entirely with you about the benefits of Clayart -- a meeting
of minds, a sharing of ideas. NCECA aside, I have had the opportunity
to meet a number of people from Clayart in different ways, as a result
of my participation here. Not only do I have a number of posts sent
privately from participants (and stored, I might add, in a folder
called Nice Things to Keep), but I also have a wonderful mug Naama in
Israel sent me (even though I have never laid eyes on her), I had
dinner once with Ron Roy (even though I don't know glaze formulas from
automobile engines), and Doug Hively from Oregon is a houseguest here
right now, doing a retail show (even though I didn't know he existed
until a few months ago) -- all through Clayart.
So don't worry about shyness, don't worry about looks, don't worry
about "in crowds" -- we all have our own in crowds, friends to talk
to, and people who know how we are beautiful. Just keep reading
Clayart, writing to all of us, and working on your pottery. And at
some point, gradually -- perhaps not in a convention crowd -- you will
come to know us and we will come to know you.
Remember, we are all insecure about something -- and probably
rightfully so. Just most of us don't confess to it, lest next time I
see you you see my weakness instead of seeing me.
==
Berry Silverman,
Berryware, Tucson, Arizona
berrysilverman@yahoo.com
_________________________________________________________
DO YOU YAHOO!?
Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Liz Willoughby on tue 23 mar 99
Dear Sylvia,
I know that there are going to be many posts responding to your post.
First of all I would like to say that I think that potters are among the
best, most generous people in the world. Clayarters are even better.
We were a very mixed bag of personalities, ages, and physical appearances
in the clayart room. The best analogy that I can think of, is the table of
mugs. All different; shapes, sizes, glazes, some beautiful, some good,
some hilarious, some from beginners and some from very established potters.
Some of us did stay on the "outside", some were right in the middle, just
all kinds of personalities, but all felt like we belonged there.
Courage. Yes, when you are part of clayart, and then when you are in the
room with the people who form the group, it is definitely different. But it
was always welcoming.
I wish that there had been 40 hours in each day, because there was so much
to do and see. And then there was the clayart room that "pulled you in"
because of the generosity of "spirit" there. We definitely need a larger
room next year.
Carla, (who I met for the first time) is a very gregarious, fun-loving,
person. But one who runs deeper than one would think on first meeting. She
is Carla, and she is sincere.
We were there for one reason. Clay had brought us together, and that
single interest is what connects us. Many brought more questions for the
"stars" to solve, and they did.
Yes, it IS what's in people's heads and hearts that matter. That's so
obvious from the posts on clayart. It was no different in the clayart
room.
I think that you would not have been able to respond to Carla's post (I
wish that I had seen it all, I just got home), if you had not felt that
clayarters are a generous group, full of "giving spirit".
Sylvia, I have a hard time putting words on paper. Feelings of insecurity
can be devastating. There is always a reason for that.
I hope that you will come to Denver, so that you can see for yourself that
it is not a "who's who" group, and definitely not a beauty contest, but a
comfortable place to be, because you are a part of it.
Most sincerely,
Liz
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Carla,
>
>I assume you meant to encourage people to attend NCECA conferences, but
>for me your post has had just the opposite effect. I doubt I'll attend
>next year in Denver, and I'm sure I won't be visiting the Clayart room.
>With thousands of people subscribing to clayart, I can't believe I'm the
>only one who feels this way.
>
>Don't get me wrong, I really would love to meet all the people I've read
>so much from and about. I'm sure they're very nice people, and have
>given me a lot of answers and inspiration. Sometimes they've made me
>laugh, too. And, boy, would I love to taste that Belgian chocolate.
>But there's something about what you said that bothers me a lot. (I'll
>probably have to quit Clayart after this, but it needs to be said.)
>
>I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a pretty
>person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
>misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
>I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
>and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the person at
>the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to ask
>a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
>friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
>speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
>much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
>because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
>in the mirror.
>
>I know this will come off sounding like a wounded, insecure teenager,
>but that's too bad. It would be really nice if the world wasn't one big
>beauty contest.
>
>Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
>recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
>
>Sylvia Shirley
>(wishing I could be anonymous - I know I'm going to regret sending this)
Vince Pitelka on tue 23 mar 99
>I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a pretty
>person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
>misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
>I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
>and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the person at
>the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to ask
>a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
>friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
>speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
>much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
>because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
>in the mirror.
>Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
>recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
Sylvia -
This post really hit me. It saddens me that you have this impression. I
guess I can understand how you would draw these conclusions from some things
which were said in other posts, although they were certainly said in fun or
in jest. But I think you have the wrong idea about the Clayart room at
NCECA. This is a wonderful, supportive group of generally odd, eccentric
people. It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a beauty contest or a
party for the "in crowd." It is so completely far from that. It is a group
of people very much like you who love Clayart, and who are so delighted to
get togther with others who share their vocation or avocation. I hope you
will come to NCECA, and I hope that when you do you will come to the Clayart
room so that you may discover what an extraordinary situation it is. We all
get use to each other on Clayart, and some of us make great friends on
Clayart, and then when we meet in person it is such an amazing experience.
Best wishes, and hope to see you next year in Denver -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
Appalachian Center for Crafts
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Marcia Selsor on tue 23 mar 99
Dear Sylvia,
I met many new faces in the Clayart room. Charming people because I know they
are there due to our common shared interests of clay. Granted there is some
name recognition, and some others who will be recognized now that they are
familiar. NCECA has always been a sharing experience. Clayart continues that
sharing throughout the year. As Vince says when you meet a familiar
"signature" it is an amazing experience. I hope you'll be in Denver and enjoy
meeting many clayarters. I will be looking for you.
Marci in Montana
Vince Pitelka wrote:
>
> ----------------------------Original message----------------------------
> >I just don't like beauty contests. To put it bluntly, I am not a pretty
> >person, and thus, would not fit in well with your group. Please don't
> >misunderstand, this is NOT coy false modesty or anything of that sort.
> >I don't have beautiful eyes or a great rear end. I am short, fat, old
> >and ugly. I'm also painfully shy and socially inept. I'm the person at
> >the workshops who sits alone and eats lunch alone, and is afraid to ask
> >a question because everyone would look at me. I smile and try to be
> >friendly, but either people criticize or don't notice me at all. When I
> >speak, I stumble over my words, and say the wrong things. I communicate
> >much better in writing than in person. That's why I liked Clayart,
> >because it's what's in people's heads and hearts that matter, not what's
> >in the mirror.
> >Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
> >recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
>
> Sylvia -
> This post really hit me. It saddens me that you have this impression. I
> guess I can understand how you would draw these conclusions from some things
> which were said in other posts, although they were certainly said in fun or
> in jest. But I think you have the wrong idea about the Clayart room at
> NCECA. This is a wonderful, supportive group of generally odd, eccentric
> people. It is not, by any stretch of the imagination, a beauty contest or a
> party for the "in crowd." It is so completely far from that. It is a group
> of people very much like you who love Clayart, and who are so delighted to
> get togther with others who share their vocation or avocation. I hope you
> will come to NCECA, and I hope that when you do you will come to the Clayart
> room so that you may discover what an extraordinary situation it is. We all
> get use to each other on Clayart, and some of us make great friends on
> Clayart, and then when we meet in person it is such an amazing experience.
> Best wishes, and hope to see you next year in Denver -
> - Vince
>
> Vince Pitelka - vpitelka@DeKalb.net
> Home 615/597-5376, work 615/597-6801, fax 615/597-6803
> Appalachian Center for Crafts
> Tennessee Technological University
> 1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
--
Marcia Selsor
selsor@imt.net
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls
http://www.imt.net/~mjbmls/spain99.html
Lori Leary on wed 24 mar 99
Sylvia,
Please think again. You won't feel left out, I can guarantee that.
Clayart people are the best folks I have ever met. Friendly, welcoming,
interesting to listen to and talk with. I was continually amazed by the
lack of pretention and eliteness from some of the most famous clay
people in the world.
I think I said this in a previous post a while back....It's all about
clay and what we do with it.
Please come next year, I'll be looking for you!
Lori L
lleary@sccoast.net
Pawleys Island, SC
Gavin Stairs on wed 24 mar 99
At 04:28 PM 3/22/99 EST, Sylvia wrote:
...
>Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
>recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
Hi Sylvia,
I wasn't there either, and I'm not a big party person, and I'm old, fat and
ugly, but I'm here to tell you that you have just joined the "in" crowd.
Participate, and you're in! Welcome! And you could be surprised to hear
yourself described by one of the reporters who dish out the wonderful
complements. Shy Sylvia, the retiring darling with the heart of gold.
And by the way, my partner is under the startling delusion that I'm a
handsome stud. Don't tell her I'm not, ok? See you in Denver.
Gavin
Gail Dapogny on wed 24 mar 99
Hi Sylvia,
I was at NCECA, and finally sat down to read all of the post-N comments. I
was having lots of mixed feelings over all of the things/people I didn't
hear, didn't see, didn't meet, largely because of my own doing: shyness,
awe, teeth braces, weight, ineptness, and on and on. I was thinking to
myself: Why didn't I try to engage --- Ron, Tony H, Vince, John,Paul,
Craig, Joe, Richard, Dannon, even friendly Mel, and many others---in
conversation? Maybe, I'd have made some friends, found out some answers.
All those questions buzzing around in my head: pitting, pinholing, firing,
consistency. I even had slipped a couple of glaze samples in my purse in
hopes of engaging someone knowledgeable, but it didn't happen.
Then I came across your post, and immediately realized that you would touch
a buried nerve in many who read it. You did in me.
I want you to know that, despite my hanging back and merely "lurking", I
found that the people around me at NCECA and especially in the Clayart room
were and are wonderful people. (I'm on another non-art-related computer
list and the people there are often at one another's throats, subtly but
unmistakeably, not somehow gentle and out-reaching like our clay friends
are).
I've decided not to beat myself up for being too self-conscious to have
been more in the thick of things. This time, I got my feet wet. Who
knows, the next time...?
I think we'd all like to imagine ourselves as one of those "faces that
everyone connects with the names". I wasn't one of those, and, believe me,
many others also were not. Somehow, though, we --I think I can be
presumptuous here -- all came away with good feelings about our fellow clay
friends and clayarters. Even with a feeling of belonging.
You've already proven your own guts and thoughtfulness by posting these
thoughts. I think they will give people on our list a lot of food for
thought. You have many soul-mates. And many friends! Keep remembering your
own words: what matters is in people's heads and hearts, not in the mirror.
--Gail
Gail Dapogny
1154 Olden Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103-3005
(734) 665-9816
gdapogny@umich.edu
Ron Roy on fri 26 mar 99
It was a shock to hear Gavin describe himself here - he is a dear friend
and one of the beautiful people - and when you all meet him you will
understand this if you have not already come to that conclusion from his
posts.
He has never been to NCECA but he understands what we are and he is us.
Look for a rather large Viking and the occasional impish grin.
R
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>>Also, did you meet anyone there who does NOT have great name
>>recognition? Is it just a party for the "in crowd"?
>
>Hi Sylvia,
>I wasn't there either, and I'm not a big party person, and I'm old, fat and
>ugly, but I'm here to tell you that you have just joined the "in" crowd.
>Participate, and you're in! Welcome! And you could be surprised to hear
>yourself described by one of the reporters who dish out the wonderful
>complements. Shy Sylvia, the retiring darling with the heart of gold.
>And by the way, my partner is under the startling delusion that I'm a
>handsome stud. Don't tell her I'm not, ok? See you in Denver.
>Gavin
Ron Roy
93 Pegasus Trail
Scarborough, Ontario
Canada M1G 3N8
Tel: 416-439-2621
Fax: 416-438-7849
Web page: http://digitalfire.com/education/people/ronroy.htm
S.K. Tesar on fri 9 apr 99
Shirley,
This was my first NCECA. I was probably more curious about the
Clayart room and people than I was the conference topics - they tended to
be far too academic and tenure-track and student seeking for a self
taught self supporting clay person such as myself. I did, however,
venture into the Clayart room early on..and met some of the names that I
had become familiar with on Clayart. The people who tend to be on
Clayart, and according to the latest poll I was told it levels out at
2400, tend to be people who enjoy clay talk. No one began a topical
discussion in the Clayart room with a long drawn out Creditional and
slides of my work " just so you know I KNOW" as there was in every
offering I stuck my head in on at the main conference - no, the people in
the Clayart room just enjoyed talking clay - WHO KNEW who some of the
"names" were....it did not seem to matter in the Clayart room - just a
bunch of people who liked having a place to sit and chat or sit and
listen to others chatting....
as for looks....don't let the effusive generosity and affection of one
personality describing her/his experience touch a painful place...there
were all shapes and sizes, ages and personalities.... love looks with the
heart, not the eyes and there was a whole lot of acceptance in the
Clayart room. And I did not know a soul when I got there. Honest.
Sandra on Keel Mountain, AL
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