mel jacobson on mon 17 apr 06
first and foremost i want it made clear that
this trip was paid in full by me. this was not
a gimme`, or a promotion. i asked po to take me/and
i paid the price. well worth it, and very inexpensive in
the total. linda hughes from bellingham, wash. joined us,
and was a perfect travel friend. in many cases po and
i shared accommodation. several others had intended on
going, but had conflict at the last minute and had to
cancel. so, it was an ideal situation for the three of us,
as it was easy to get transport any time, any place.
it was an adventure to remember.
po is Guangzhen "Po" Zhou a chinese american immigrant
from shanghai. he arrived in america with two hundred dollars
in his pocket and a foreign student visa to study at the
university of minnesota/ duluth. he lived in duluth for four years
and worked at many jobs to keep himself in food and shelter.
he has a degree in fine art, with a ceramics major. he completed
his MFA at san jose state university in california.
he is married and has two children. his wife is a project manager
for `intel` corporation in san jose. obviously a very talented
woman. she too is an american citizen and grew up near
po in shanghai.
po grew up in communist china with absolutely no prospects.
he was poor, had a knack for english, and he knew he had very
fine art skill. he worked at a variety of jobs including cutting
chinese stone stamps/chops. his skills are many, and
varied, but his greatest skill is his human understanding and
concern for others. he is a wonderful human being.
working for many years to bring ceramics information to
and from china and the western world is his passion. he is a
`bridge` from potters and educators of the ceramic arts from
china. he is loved and respected all through china for his work.
if anyone on clayart wants to go to china and work, study or
teach, po would be able to help you get there. the need for
teachers with english language skill is great.
po has a business called `chinese clayart`. he runs a website and
an information letter that we carry here on clayart. i have supported
and helped po for several years now. barbara brown is a strong supporter
of po and his work. barbara does not make mistakes about people....and
she has hit the mark with po.
the importation of ceramic tools, brushes and supplies for potters
is the major thrust of his business, he now has several hundred unique
items in his catalog. things you cannot buy in the western world in most
cases. he has a pipeline to some great tools. linda suggested to po that
he import presentation boxes of standard sizes that american potters can
use....a great idea...i think that will happen.
it is very clear to me that he keeps a very separate distinction between
his passion and his business. he does not promote the sale of tools or his
website when he is working/helping potters and artists. he does that without
profit attached. he does charge some booking fees when he arranges
transport and visa help for folks...(as it should be, he is not a welfare
director.)
i have asked po to be more direct in advertising for teachers and artists
to exhibit, teach and work in china. after seeing first hand hundreds
of opportunities for western potters in china, i think it is important
to get the word out through clayart....directly. it would be a service
for both clayart friends and the chinese.
clayart is becoming more and more international. we have a passion
to add china to our communication system. i talked to many serious, dedicated
workers in the clay community of china. they want to be a part of
us. they want
to know about western ceramics, western ideas.
there is nothing to fear in the chinese potters world. they are folks,
just like
us, working to make things in clay.
china is on the way to becoming a free country. it is alive with ideas and
excitement of freedom. the old china is dead as a rat. the new china is
alive and it won't go backwards, it is moving forward...fast.
it is best that we join and understand rather than sit back and grumble.
better to join and make opportunities go both ways.
mel
i actually sold a good many pots in china. made me smile.
i am now a part of a two way street.
"Luck is prepaid."
from: mel/minnetonka.mn.usa
website: http://my.pclink.com/~melpots3
Kathy Rhoades on mon 17 apr 06
Mel wrote.......po has a business called `chinese clayart`. he runs a website and
>an information letter that we carry here on clayart.
Thanks for sharing Mel. I have purchased several tools from "Chinese Clayart" (not knowing anything about them) and use them daily. They are great! They were shipped promptly and arrived in record time. I can't say that from some other places I have ordered. Now knowing about the owner I am even more pleased and will order again. If you haven't checked out this site I would suggest that you do so.
Kathy Rhoades in sunny PA
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