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. Plan to bring along some pots: one for the Pot Exchange, one for the Conference Ceramic Show (where there will be awards), and some soup bowls for donations to The Clay Connection's Empty Bowls Charity Event. This conference is a great learning experience and networking opportunity!
9th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference
September 29-October 2, 2011
4-H Conference Center, Front Royal, Virginia
Please check back as additional information will be added as it becomes available. Registration will begin in March 2011.
Past Conferences
8th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference (2009)
The 8th Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference was held October 1-4, 2009 at the 4-H Conference Center in Front Royal, Virginia. The event featured Suze Lindsay, Gay Smith, and Frank Giorgini as the main presenters. Jayne Shatz and John Jensen presented demonstrations on Large scale vessel-making and Creating Sculpture Multiples through the use of molds. Hands-on mini workshops were taught by Guy Zoller (Figure Sculpture), Dana Lehrer Danze (Surface Resist and Slip Decoration), Marianne Cordyack (Brush Making), and Tracie Griffith Tso (Chinese Brushpainting on pots). Mike Swauger (The Kiln Doctor) presented a comprehensive workshop on studio set-up and equipment. A new feature, a panel discussion, entitled “Sustaining Creativity” featured Jayne Shatz, Mike Swauger, Guy Zoller, and Colleen O’Sullivan. Ramon Camarillo and Brett Thomas hosted raku workshops.
The Conference opened Thursday night with a Welcoming Reception and Finger Buffett sponsored by Clayscapes, featuring free t-shirts for all participants. Friday night membership meeting and Board elections were followed by a dinner catered by Old Town Bakery held at the outdoor Fairfax Shelter pavilion. There was a lively pot exchange led by Amy Wandless, and music for dancing by the band, Nightmusic. The Saturday evening slide show featured work from main presenters, Suze Lindsay, Gay Smith, and Frank Giorgini. A new feature this year was digital recording and projection of presenters in the main conference room. Vendors included Clay Times, Manassas Clay, The Kiln Doctor, The Ceramic Shop, Ceramic Supply, and Mayco Colors. Member Julie Sedell provided therapeutic massage. Committee Members were Marianne Cordyack, Chair, Stephanie Firestone, Barbara Oksanen, Jayne Shatz, Mike Swauger, Dick White, and Guy Zoller.
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, Claire Hasselbeck.
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.