the grand finale - the pots emerge

It was an amazing two weeks at Georgie's - 300+ pots made for the OPA's Empty Bowls event in July at the Waterfront Blues Festival.

This collaborative project would not have gotten off the ground if it weren't for OPA Member Renee Shearer's passion and devotion to Empty Bowls. And a single bowl would not have been thrown if it weren't for Georgie's Ceramic Supply. Georgie's provided the work space, the clay, the glazes and the firings to get this project complete.

Thank you so much Renee and Georgie's - from all of your fellow OPA members

And now what you've all been waiting for - the bowls!!!!

More images to follow. Bill Sanchez recorded several videos as well as additional photos and I'll get those posted shortly.

I am looking forward to unpacking all of these bowls at the Blues Festival and I think several will make an appearance at Ceramic Showcase 2011.

Stay tuned

The glaze continues to run on Empty Bowls

Natalie Warrens joined the crew to lend a hand in the glazing.

as did Michelle Gallagher

the Day 7 crew busily glazing the last of the 300+ pots that were made for Empty Bowls.

Lon checks out Natalie's technique -

Good thing Denise isn't thirsty - Latte was one of everyone's favorite glazes by Georgie's

with this team - you know the pots are going to be gorgeous! Have you ever seen such a stylish bunch of potters?

Empty Bowls volunteers

Mami Yamada shows how to glaze with flair!


Lyn Schultz volunteered two days and helped out with all of the glazing.


Kris Paul has been playing in the dirt and the glaze and Mami approves!


Mitch and Janet team glaze.


and they have fun doing it too!


Deb Shapiro was Team Leader for the day and shows first time glazer Diane a few tricks.


a fearless leader she was

and at the end of the day, we were all still for of smiles. A great day spent with Lon, Deb, Meaghann, Mami, Pam, Kris & Renee!

Dawn, Lon and Meaghann get to glazing.

Christine Hurayt showed off some beautiful brushwork!

OPA Members will be hard at work on Wednesday and Thursday, so if you've got a few hours to spend, come on down to Georgies and lend a hand. Glazing and loading the kilns will continue until the last bowl is done!

the bowls, they just keep comin'!

We are onto week 2 at Georgies. Over the weekend all of the bowls were loaded into 7 kilns and fired and Monday began the unloading process and the beginning of glazing. Needless to say, Georgies has been amazing!

When we need a little break, there is always someone ready with a joke, story or in Bill's case, a few tangerines and an impromptu lesson on juggling.

Our OPA President, Margaret Synan-Russell and Showcase Chair, Brenda Scott adding their inspiration to the collaborative pieces.

Denise Krueger embellishing bowls made by OPA members.

The rag-tag crew at the end of the day. Worn out but still smiling!

It was a great week - more posts to follow.

Today News Channel KGW came for a visit as well as the newspaper. I can't wait to hear how that went.

another great Empty Bowls day

Day 2 & Day 3 and the bowls are stacking up. Pat Brame went big and then shared a few great tips with all of us and in the spirit of collaboration, the tips and ideas flowed all day. We all loved playing with Renee's handmade chatter tool and we all starting embellishing two beautiful pieces that Alan threw the other day. I think that at the end of today there were 300+ pieces in various stages of completion and thanks to the crew at Georgie's they will be fired and waiting for everyone on Monday to start glazing!

Each piece is being signed with a phrase, a word, a thought of kindness and compassion. Come help us pass along this beautiful message.

If you've got a few hours, your help would be greatly appreciated. Don't forget, this is all about giving back to our beautiful community of Portland, to each other and to the OPA. Renee and the gang will be there tomorrow from 9am - 4pm and then back again starting on Monday. It is only a few hours - come be part of this great project.

And again, none of this would have been possible without the generous support of Georgie's. In the true spirit of the season, they have been inspirational and so giving. Let's pass that on.

Empty Bowls Collaborative Project @ Georgie's

OPA members, family and friends gathered for the first day of the Empty Bowls collaborative project. Spearheaded by OPA member, Renee Shearer, OPA members showed up at Georgies to kick off this two week project. A huge thank you goes out to Dick Tonneson and the entire staff of Georgies, we could not have done this without you. Georgies has donated the space, the clay, glazes and firings to ensure that this project is a major success.

Thanks to all that showed up on Monday; Meaghan Kunzmann, Halima Wolfgang, Dawn Panttaja, Georgine Longfellow, Ken Pincus, Alan Higinbotham, Lon Jones, Ann Brucker, Diane, Renee and two up and coming clay enthusiasts!

If you haven't stopped by, the OPA crew will be working Wednesday and Thursday of this week and Monday through Thursday next week. Stop by and lend some moral support or roll up your sleeves and help throw, trim, embellish, glaze and help pack the work at the end.

Give Handmade for the Holidays

Before you head to the mall for the craziness of after holiday sales, consider heading to a local artists studio sale to find beautiful art created by local artists. You'll find treasures worth giving and I am sure that the recipient of a handmade gift will treasure the piece you find for many many years.

OPA members start opening their studios this weekend. More artists will open the first weekend in December and those will be posted shortly. A studio sale guide is available on the Oregon Potters Association website. Many of the studio artists have invited fellow artists to participate in their holiday sales so you'll find an amazing array of art.

Chris Baskin will be open 11/26 & 11/27 from 10am - 4pm daily

Rhoda Fleischman will be open 11/26 from 5pm - 9pm and 11/27 from 10am - 4pm

Patrick Horsley will be open 11/26 from noon - 5pm & 11/27 & 11/28 from 10am - 5pm

Jacquline Hurlbert will be open 11/26 & 11/27 from 10am - 4pm and 11/28 from 11am-4pm

Ken Pincus Pottery will be open 11/26 - 11/28 from 9am - 5pm daily

Stark Street Studios will be open 11/26 - 11/28 from 10am - 5pm daily

From all the members of the OPA we thank you for visiting our studios and we wish everyone a very happy holiday season.

Volunteers

Just a few shots of our stylish volunteers during our workshift at the Oregon Food Bank.

Twenty-two members, family & friends gathered to help bag beans for an evening of fun.

Thanks to all that showed up! and thank you Renee for sharing your pictures.

10,000+ pounds! Way to go team.