The idea for the Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference,The Clay Connection’s flagship event, began when Fran Newquist off-handedly mentioned that a weekend clay camp might be a nice summertime diversion. After being recruited to chair the First Virginia Clay Conference held in 1993 followed by the next two conferences, Fran no longer makes off-handed remarks. Thanks to her hard work during those first 6 years, the Clay Camp has evolved into a major event that features industry vendors, slide shows, mini-workshops, simultaneous demonstrations, entertainment, and guest potters considered to be the best at their craft.
The Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference has been held every odd year since its inception in 1995. Each year the conference has continued to offer clay-related instruction as well as expanding to meet member-expressed needs.
8th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference
Thursday, Oct. 1 - Sunday Oct. 4, 2009 (Registration will begin in March 2009)
4-H Conference Center, Front Royal, Virginia
Contact info: Questions about the Conference? E-mail is preferred: conference@theclayconnection.org or call 540-636-6016.
Pots are like people. Their form is described by some of the same defintions--lips, feet, and shoulders, and their character and personality can be expressed by being open, warm, generous, rotund, sensuous, loose or jolly. My use of the vessel/female metaphor lies in the subtle suggestion of figure in form. Vases have soft female curves and decorations that imply clothing. Many of my forms are raised on a pedestal like foot that serves as a "skirt". My method of stacking various volumes allows me to play with human proportions and relationships. Altering a pot out of the round creates contrasting angles that suggest hips and waists. The use of line and pattern accentuates the mood or nature of the pot, and can prompt it's use for specific occassions. The techniques I use when making my pots allows me to create each one with a personality of its own.
My pottery is made of porcelain clay formed and altered on the potter's wheel, glazed when leather-hard, and fired to cone 10 in a soda kiln. I seek for fire and kiln atmosphere to decorate my pots by creating responsive surfaces and forms. I am interested in the tactile quality of clay, and my pieces appeal to the sense of touch and the scale of the human hand. The pots look alive, a bit whimsical, and I intend that they will bring life, beauty, and years of enjoyment into the lives of those who use them.
Frank Giorgini's book, HANDMADE TILES, (Lark Books, 1994) is in it's eighth printing and has become the instructional bible for tile making in ceramic studios, schools and universities around the country. In 1995 Frank was honored by receiving the Tile Heritage Foundation Award for promoting awareness and appreciation of ceramic surfaces in the United States. His ceramic design and fabrication company, UDU Inc., produces custom handmade tiles and murals for private and public installations. In 1995 Frank was awarded a commission by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of New York City to design the artwork for the Whitehall Street/South Ferry subway station of the N and R line in lower Manhattan, and Udu Inc. is currently producing the art tiles he designed for the project.
All-day Friday Demonstrations and Mini-Workshops - are now in the planning stages
Other features:- Thursday night Welcoming Reception
- Friday night catered Dinner and Music
- Slide presentations
- Member's meeting
- Panel discussion
- Participant Art Exhibit
- Pot exchange
- Ceramic industry vendors
Past Conferences
7th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference (2007)
The 7th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference was held from 04 to 07 October 2007 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The event featured Randy Brodnax, Don Ellis, and Mark Epstein as the main presenters. Dana Leher Danze, Joyce Michaud, and Bill Schran provided demonstrations on surface decorating techniques, the physics of throwing, and extruders. Mini-workshops included Throwing Small (Gail Adkisson), Brushmaking (Marianne Cordyack), Mask Making (Meredith McEver), and Figure Sculpture (Guy Zoller). Jayne Shatz discussed environmental ceramics, and Philip Berneburg led a firing clinic. Ramon Camarillo returned to host advanced Raku workshops, and new-comer Brett Thomas hosted beginning and intermediate Raku workshops. A slide show featuring the Friday workshop leaders followed the Thursday night Welcoming Reception sponsored by Clay Times magazine and Baltimore Clayworks. Friday night's membership meeting was followed by an outdoor feast featuring Brodnax Gumbo, pot exchange, and music by the Aloha Boys. The Saturday evening slide show featured work from main presenters Randy Brodnax, Don Ellis, and Mark Epstein. Vendors included Clay Times, Highwater Clay, Manassas Clay, Mecca Pottery Tools, The Ceramic Shop, The Kiln Doctor, and van Gilder Pottery. Member Julie Sedell offer therapeutic message. Committee members: Debra Barger, Marianne Cordyack, Roberta Couver, Stephanie Firestone, Barb Oksanen, Jayne Shatz, and Mike Swauger.
6th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference (2005)
The 6th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference was held from 20 to 23 October 2005 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The event featured Neil Patterson, Sandi Pierantozzi, and Bill van Gilder as the main presenters. Jennie Coffin, Jane Cullum, Michael Hough, Beth Kendall, Joyce Michaud, and Bill Schran provided demonstrations on Brushes, Slips and Underglazes, Practical Approaches to Goblets, Building Big, Uniqueness in Porcelain, The Physics of Throwing, and Secret of Crystalline Glazes Revealed. Mini-workshops included Gesture Figure Sculpting (Stephanie Firestone) and Silver Clay Sampling (DeDe Mandrell). Ramon Camarillo returned to host the raku workshop. The Thursday night slide show featured the Friday workshop leaders, while the Friday evening slide show featured main presenters Neil Patterson, Sandi Pierantozzi, and Bill van Gilder. Vendors included Clay Times, Highwater Clay, Manassas Clay, Mecca Pottery Tools, The Ceramic Shop, and The Kiln Doctor. Eka Kapiotis returned to offer therapeutic message. Committee members: Debra Barger, Marianne Cordyack, Roberta Couver, Stephanie Firestone, Helen Hensgen, Susan Jenkins, Barb Oksanen, Aileen Redding, Janelle Seiberlich, and Mike Swauger.
5th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference (2003)
The 5th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference was held from 02 to 05 October 2003 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Chaired by Mike Swauger, it featured Judith Duff, Julia Galloway, and Mark Shapiro as the main presenters. Jane Cullum, Michael Hough, and Beth Kendall provided demonstrations on handles, building big, and hand-building techniques. Mini-workshops included brush-making (Phil Chapman), YiXing teapots (Dave Straney), and tile decoration (Alfredo Ratinoff). Ramon Camarillo returned to host the raku workshop. The Thursday night slide show featured local potters Beth Kendall and Marianne Cordyack, while the Friday afternoon slide show featured Mark Shapiro’s talk on Early American Pots and Studio Pottery Today. Vendors included Creative Clay Pottery and Studios, The Kiln Doctor, Highwater Clay, Clay Times, and Mecca Pottery Tools. The newest—and most appreciated—feature of the 2003 conference was therapeutic message (Eka Kapiotis). Other committee members: Mary Kay Crowley, Stephanie Firestone, Jennifer Dinkelmeyer.
4th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference (2001)
The Fourth Virginia Clay Conference was held from 05 to 08 October 2001 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Chaired by Mike Swauger, it featured Lana Wilson and Paul Dresang. Friday events featured local Raku potter Ramon Camarillo, throwing competitions, YiXing (pronounced ee-shing) teapot demonstration (Dave Straney), an underglaze decoration (Dave Gambel), throwing demonstration (Debra Swauger), and a catered luau with music by the Aloha Boys. Vendors included Creative Clay Pottery and Studios, The Kiln Doctor, Highwater Clay, Clay Times, and Mecca Pottery Tools. Proceeds from a Silent Auction were donated to the victims of the 911 attack on the Pentagon. Other committee members: Debra Swauger, Claire Hasselbeck, Mary Kay Crowley, Stephanie Firestone, George Brown, Jennifer Dinkelmeyer.
3rd Virginia Clay Conference (1999)
The Third Virginia Clay Conference was held from 30 September to 03 October 1999 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal, Virginia. Chaired once again by Fran Newquist, it featured Virginia Potters David Crane, Kevin Crowe, and Silvie Granatelli and introduced the Friday event featuring local artists Ramon Camarillo, Jennifer Coffin, Jane Cullum, and Beth Kendall. Special program additions included two clay-related first aid stations: The Glaze Doctor (Bill Schran) and The Kiln Doctor (Mike Swauger).
2nd Virginia Clay Conference (1997)
The Second Virginia Clay Conference, held 05-07 September 1997, was also chaired by Fran Newquist and featured Lisa Naples (hand-built functional earthenware), Donna Polseno (sculptural forms), and Ellen Shankin (wheel-thrown, altered stoneware). In addition to a participant exhibition and competition, mug exchange, and trade show, highlights were expanded to include workshops on raku (led by Phyllis Roderer) and pit firing (led by Austin Brown).
1st Virginia Clay Conference (1995)
The First Virginia Clay Conference, held in 1995, was chaired by Fran Newquist and featured major presenters Rick Berman, Ron Meyers, and Michael Simon. Highlights included an Art Show, a mug exchange, trade show (Laguna Clay, Highwater Clay, Campbell's Clay, Pine Ridge Pottery), and a major write-up in the then-newly published Clay Times newsletter.