The Clay Connection offers a variety of benefits to its members. In addition to opportunities to network among local, regional, national, and international potters, The Clay Connection has established memberships in two local arts-related organizations, maintains a lending library, and publishes a quarterly newsletter.
Becoming a Member
First, print and complete a membership
form (pdf).
Then mail the form with a $35 check payable to The Clay Connection to our Membership Chair:
The Clay Connection
c/o Julie Singer
Post Office Box 3214
Merrifield, VA 22161-3214
The membership year begins in October and ends the following September. Individuals can become members at any time during the year; however, all memberships expire on 30 September. The membership fee is not prorated. Membership benefits begin immediately upon receipt of your dues. In early September, our Vice President for Membership begins reminding members that renewal fees will be due in October. You may also activate your membership during attendance at any of our scheduled events.
Membership Benefits
Artisans United
The Clay Connection has been a member guild of Artisans United since 1992. Benefits available from Artisans United are extended to all Clay Connection members.
Artisans United is a non-profit organization serving as a network for local artists and crafters. It is located in The Fred M. Packard Center at 4022 Hummer Road in Annandale, Virginia.Artisans United is involved in a number of activities and offers a variety of benefits to its individual and guild members. Its many activities include community outreach opportunities, a cooperative craft gallery, and a center of operations. For more information, visit the Artisans United web site.
Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington
The Clay Connection has been an institutional member of the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington (CAGW) since 1999. Current members of The Clay Connection are eligible to become Affiliate Members of the CAGW at a discounted rate.
The CAGW is a non-profit organization dedicated to sustaining and increasing regional leadership, appreciation, support, and resources for arts and culture. The CAGW is located in Suite 103 of the M.A. Winter Building at 1436 U Street, NW, in Washington, DC.
CAGW programs include health care, arts management workshops, the National Arts Marketing Project, Washington Business Volunteers for the Arts, TICKETplace, and the JOB Bank.
For more information, visit the Cultural Alliance web site.
Educational Programs
The Clay Connection sponsors monthly educational programs that cover topics of interest to its membership and feature individuals who are well versed in the issue at hand.
Non-members are welcome to attend and are asked to contribute between $5 and $15 depending on the subject matter to help cover costs related to the various programs.
Exhibits
The Clay Connection sponsors periodic exhibits designed to allow the public to see the best of our work. Participation is limited to members only. These events are open to the public.
Networking
"The exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions"
(Source: Merriam-Webster OnLine Dictionary)
Virtually all activities sponsored by The Clay Connection provide opportunities for potters to exchange information and services, i.e., to network.
Our monthly programs, holiday dinner, and sales events provide opportunities for individual potters to meet and share information.
Our institutional memberships in Artisans United and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington allow our members to meet other crafters in the local area.
The Cracked Pot newsletter provides an easy method for distributing information to our member potters.
The Biennial Mid-Atlantic Clay Conference gives potters the opportunity to spend four glorious days immersed in various aspects of their chosen craft surrounded by individuals who "understand."
Shows & Sales
The Clay Connection sponsors two shows & sales each year: once in the spring and once in the fall. Although this event is open to all potters, members are eligible for a discounted registration fee.
To participate in the Fall 2007 Show & Sale, print and complete a registration form (pdf), then mail to the address listed on the form.
The Cracked Pot Newsletter
The Clay Connection publishes a quarterly newsletter. Each issue is filled with information on our recent events, future plans, and clay-related opportunities in the local area. Members contribute clay-worthy articles to the newsletter by contacting the newsletter editor.
The most recent issue is available for public viewing. The archive of all past newsletters is available to current members.
Lending Library
As part of its education program, The Clay Connection has established a lending library of audio and videotapes. These tapes are available at monthly meetings for current members to borrow for a four-week period. A small fee ($4 per tape) covers the cost of a pre-stamped and addressed mailer used to return the tape to the lending library. If the tape and unused mailer are returned in person, $3 of the fee is refunded. The remaining $1 is used to expand the titles in the library.