Mary and Ken Arthur enjoy washing tables and chairs.
New members Denise Switzer and Sue Smith sort tools while Sandy Holt looks on.
Jan Marx
Messes come in degrees of disorder. You “throw” a pot on the pottery wheel and produce a masterpiece. Finishing your creation you also see the mess of mud and water on the wheel, on your apron and on the floor. But you remind yourself the pot is a work of art. Cleaning up afterwards may take longer than it took to make the pot, but you know it is worth it.
Or you build a towering vase. It begins to collapse so you stuff it with newspapers to try to keep its shape. The piece twists and sags, but you persist. Finally you have a modern, one-of-a-kind object that ends up as a conversation piece on your entryway table. You realize the “mess” was worth it.
Twice a year we potters gather to clean and reorganize our part of the Wine Cup Room that we share with Kiln Krafters, the ceramics club. For three hours in January members gutted and washed supply cabinets, debated whether to move “this” or “that” piece of equipment and scrubbed the place close to spotless. It looks great and functions much better. It was worth it.
Along with our seasoned potters, six new members joined in the clean-up. They include Julie Laderach, Jeannette Bennett, Sue Smith, Denise Switzer, Merriott Terry and Ken Arthur. Afterwards we rewarded ourselves with lunch at the Grill for a mess well cleaned.
News: Sad for us but glad for Marilyn Zastrow; one our original members, she is moving with husband Ken back to Minnesota to be close to family. Marilyn’s knowledge and kindness have helped all of us grow in our pursuit of the perfect glaze. She has given many hours of her time and council, and we will miss her. Thanks, Marilyn, for the memories.
Don’t forget we have sale items in the display windows as well as works of art to ogle.
The next orientation class is in April. Space is limited so come sign up now to assure yourself of a place. It’s not just mud, it’s a way of life!