Richard Aerni on wed 21 mar 07
Well, since I now feel as though I was in Louisville for the conference, I
feel it is my duty to tell everyone how it was there before the conference!
First off, I am not good at attending to the details of trips and such, as
became clear when I arrived there a day early and no one was expecting me.
But Tonya and Tammy at the pottery recovered nicely, and Dolita was too busy
setting up her shows to notice, so I was able to slip out after taking over
the common pottery area and take my side trip to Chattanooga a few days
early. Arriving back in Louisville, I was shocked, surprised and amazed to
see this wonderful, warm woman open Dolita's door when I rang the bell!
Never fails to amaze me how different clayart folk look compared to our
virtual mental images of them (now Dolita, don't go there! ) Anyway,
Dolita and Gene gave me a wonderful welcome, and my roommate Maurice Weitman
turned out to be something of a long-lost brother, and the other folks who
came and went through the house, er, dormitory during my stay there were
great to be with. The workshop went pretty well, I think, and the room was
pretty much fully occupied, physically and mentally, during the two day
event. It always amazes me that people will pay money, travel long
distances, and sit relatively (!) quietly just to watch someone else work
and tell stories. But they did, and I had a great experience, and got to
learn much from others, as often happens in these situations. The times
away from the workshop were filled with fun and games, too, and it was just
fun to hang with people you feel whose posts you've read for years. The
food was probably not as good as those of you who hung out at Saffron (is
that the place on Bardstown Rd.?) seemed to indicate (Senor, I have bad
news...), but it was a fine accessory to the companionship. During a brief
foray into the world of shows downtown, I got to see more good work than I
felt I could possibly absorb in such a short period of time, meet lots of
folks I hadn't seen in a while, or ever (Ron Roy, Liz Willoughby, Sherman
Hall, Bill Jones, Robin Hopper, Laura Ross, Errol Willett, and others), got
to touch the Louisville Slugger bat, see the 21c hotel/gallery, listen to
the amplified raptor bird calls under the freeway overpasses, and still
purchase Sheila Clennell's wood-fired whiskey cups in our time at Louisville
Stoneware, when Maurice and I weren't crawling up and around the filter
presses, ware carts, clay pits and such.
I was certainly riding high when I left Louisville as you were all arriving
(sorry to have missed Sandy Miller!). So now, you're all back, and
exhausted, and full of stories, and I'm home, the studio is full of pots,
and I'm exhausted too. Full circle...
One of these years, I'll get there for the conference, and get to see the
rest of the story!
Best,
Richard Aerni
Rochester, NY
WJ Seidl on wed 21 mar 07
I had the opportunity to attend that workshop of Richards.
In one demonstration, he moved my work ahead (at least) 10 years!
If you are ever in the position to take Richard's workshop, do it without
hesitation. Full of information, witty, technically excellent; Richard's
presentation is easy for even a dummy like me to absorb the information.
More than once I looked over the assembled attendees and saw light bulbs
"going on" over their heads. Even my partner saw techniques he can translate
to the work he does (and he doesn't often work in clay.)
It was an awesome workshop, Richard. Thanks again for sharing with us!
Wayne Seidl
-----Original Message-----
From: Clayart [mailto:CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG] On Behalf Of Richard Aerni
Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 9:28 AM
To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
Subject: My pre-NCECA
Well, since I now feel as though I was in Louisville for the conference, I
feel it is my duty to tell everyone how it was there before the conference!
SNIP for space
Best,
Richard Aerni
Rochester, NY
Marcia Selsor on wed 21 mar 07
Richard,
Time to write your proposal for next year. Maybe another panel on
potters..maybe urban potters.
You, maybe Posey from NYC, think of some others.
You get free registration and they'll pay you when you write up your
lecture.
So don't miss next year. The rules use to be you could only present
once every three years. As far as I know, that still applies.
So..Clayarters, get on your thinking caps and think up some proposals
for next year's program.
Russel was bummed he didn't get Sheila's cups. Now we know who got them.
Hey, Russel is an urban potter!
Marcia Selsor
http://marciaselsor.com
Liz Willoughby on wed 21 mar 07
NCECA. . .sitting here remembering and cherishing many moments while
there. If it were not for NCECA, how would I ever have the chance to
renew acquaintances and meet others that I have wanted to meet.
The best thing about NCECA is connecting again with the clay world,
which means pots and potters, and also seeing a new city, enjoying
the walks, enjoying the discovery of so many things in that city, and
of course the food.
Somehow, the first day always stays in my head. Walking to the
Kentucky Museum and by chance meeting Richard Aerni, who is not how I
imagined him to be. Smaller in stature, and very nice. . .! Seeing
the Clay National, and liking it!
We discovered the "Proof" restaurant, and then discovered the hotel,
and enjoyed all the funny art, everywhere. Had 4 meals at the Proof,
and wish that I had known earlier about the Saffron Rest.
I am always better on a one to one basis, so did not meet many new
clayarters, but did enjoy the room when there. Maurice, the mug
exchange went very well, thanks for that.
Very nice chatting with Stepanie S. and Dave F, Bacia, Marta, and so
many more that I just can not name you all. And always a pleasure
seeing and talking with John H again, and Bonnie H!, and Kelly,
rushing here, there, and everywhere.
Loved seeing so many good pots, of which many of them were wood-fired.
Missed Joyce, wanted to catch up with her.
So, wish i could have tried the bourbon, unfortunately it makes me
ill, but the martinis sure were good.
Mel gave my friend, Judith, a lurker on clayart, a big hug, so now
she is officially a clayarter.
Home to lots of work to catch up on.
Be good and best to all,
Liz from Grafton, Ontario, Canada
where it is warming up, and Spring is in the air. Two Robins today,
they are back.
p.s. Richard, take Marcia's advice.
> meet lots of
>folks I hadn't seen in a while, or ever (Ron Roy, Liz Willoughby, Sherman
>Hall, Bill Jones, Robin Hopper, Laura Ross, Errol Willett, and others), got
>to touch the Louisville Slugger bat, see the 21c hotel/gallery, listen to
>the amplified raptor bird calls under the freeway overpasses, and still
>purchase Sheila Clennell's wood-fired whiskey cups in our time at Louisville
>Stoneware, when Maurice and I weren't crawling up and around the filter
>presses, ware carts, clay pits and such.
>
>One of these years, I'll get there for the conference, and get to see the
>rest of the story!
>Best,
>Richard Aerni
>Rochester, NY
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