Holiday Show deadlines

Members,
Here are the important dates and deadlines for this year's Holiday Show at Ruby's. Please note that the sign up for this show is tomorrow after the monthly meeting. If you can not make the meeting you can have the managers sign your name on the list after present members by calling or leaving a message on the manager's phone line.
-The Gallery Committee (Tracey Kenward, Andrew DeWitt, Jackie Regalado)

2009 Holiday Show Dates

October 28 (Wednesday): The holiday show sign up sheet will be posted at Ruby's by after the monthly meeting. 20 artists will be able to participate on a first-come first-served basis. Those not in attendance can call and have their names added after all present members do so.

November 4th (Wednesday): Last day to sign up for the holiday show, to pay $25 application fee and $30 deposit, and to submit photos for the postcard consideration. Artists who have not paid by this date will not be allowed to participate in the show and their space will be offered to artists on the wait list.

November 9th (Monday): Gallery shift sign up sheet will be posted at Ruby's by 6 pm.

November 22nd (Sunday): Last day that participants can sign up for gallery shifts. Artists who do not sign up for shifts will be not allowed to participate in the show and their space will be offered to artists on the wait list.

December 4th & 5th (Friday & Saturday) the Gallery Committee sets up the gallery space.

Dec. 6th & 7th (Friday & Saturday): Artists set-up pieces in their assigned spaces in the gallery. December 8th the show officially opens to the public.

December 13th (Sunday): Ruby's Holiday party, 2 pm to 6 pm.

The Gallery Committee will announce take down dates by December 3rd.

Art Project: Manufacturing Ollas for Subsurface Irrigation

Call for Community Support

Ollas, pronounced "oy-yahs") are unglazed clay/terra-cotta pots with a bottle or tapered shape (see image) that are buried in the ground with the top/neck exposed above the soil surface and filled with water for sub-surface irrigation of plants. Though they are ancient technology and potentially the most efficient irrigation mechanism known to humanity, they are extremely rare and no local manufacturer is known (only a few known in North America). Additionally, no research has been done to establish the most efficient shape and size of the olla.

We are looking for artists in San Francisco to make ollas of varying shapes and sizes emphasizing flat bottom/narrow neck, tapered shapes of 5 to 12 liter capacity (the bulbous portion being 10-16 inches in diameter) (or more or less).

Here is what we know about olla requirements for irrigation:
1. Ollas need to be unglazed (terra- cotta) to allow water to slowly seep through the surface of the vessel
2. The vessel would need to be fired at “bisque temperatures”
3. Ideally the vessel would have a porosity of 10-15%

This project could have enormous consequences for the sustainable food community in dry areas of the world, like San Francisco. If you are interested in helping now or interested in learning more, please contact:
Kevin Bayuk, Kevin@uas.coop (415)999-5354.

Gallery Show Applications (January - June 2010)

Gallery applications for shows during January to June of next year (2010) are now available at the studio (posted on the bathroom bulletin board). We will also try to make a copy available on the Ruby's website member bulletin board, so please check there if you can't make it by the studio.

Please fill out your application and submit it with your payment and deposit checks no later than September 1, 2009 to apply for these shows. Applications may be mailed to the studio or dropped off in the manager's lock box.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gallery Committee at rubysgallery@gmail.com or talk to Tracey Kenward or Andrew DeWitt (415/431-1305).

Thanks,

Tracey and Drew
Ruby's Gallery Committee

Gallery Shows, January - June, 2010

Application forms for gallery shows during January - June 2010 will be available no later than August 15, 2009. Forms will be posted on the Ruby's bulletin board and will be sent via email on request. A reminder will be sent when the forms are available . The application deadline is September 1, 2009.

If you have any questions, please contact the Gallery Committee at rubysgallery@gmail.com or talk to Drew or Tracey at the studio.

Goodbye/Thank you from Ann

Hola Amigos,

Many thanks for a great potluck party. The delicious food was only surpassed by your wonderful conversation and friendship. I will miss you all and hope you get a chance to visit us in San Miguel de Allende.

Through the marvels of modern technology I will have my SF telephone # in San Miguel as a VoIP phone so you can call any time as a local call 415-552-6246. Email will also stay the same.- ann_bontatibus@hotmail.com

And if you get to Mexico our number is 415-152-3226.

Hasta Luego, Ann

Sunday July 26th is Rubys Annual Sidewalk Sale

Once a year the 70 artists at Ruby's Clay Studio, at 552a Noe Street(between 18th and 19th), have a giant sale to get rid of all the great works they have done to make room to create some more. The opening day is Sunday July 26th starting at 10am until 4pm. Since there is such a large quantity of pieces the show will remain in the studio gallery until August 3, 2009, but there is usually a group of people gathered there on Sunday morning to get first pick.
This show has been growing over the past five years and many people come to do all their holiday shopping now and save a great deal of money. The show includes bowls, vases, plates and all types handmade and wheel thrown ceramic sculpture.

ASCU Cup Swap

Greetings fellow ceramic artists,The ASUC Studio on the Berkeley campus will be hosting a cup swam (details below). I'm hoping that you'll attend and bring some friends with you. Please use this as an opportunity to socialize, trade a cup, as well as promote yourself, your studio, gallery, school, or ceramics program. We're aiming for low key, but lots of fun. If this goes well, I'd like to see other studios, schools, gallerys or stores host future cup swaps. I think it will be a great opportunity to bring the Bay Area ceramics community together.Best,Erik***** Please forward widely *****Bay Area Cup SwapWhat: A cup swap amongst Bay Area clay artists.Who: Anybody and everybody working in clay from the Bay Area. From beginners to professionals.Where: The ASUC Art Studio on the UC Berkeley Campus. See link for map. http://artstudio.berkeley.edu/inside.aspx?uid=8When: Thursday, August 20. 6:00-9:00pm 6:00-7:00 - Arrive, drop off your cup, get a number for the random drawing, socialize Drawing for cups begins at 7:00pm 7:00 and beyond – Enjoy a cupful and socialize with other Bay Area Clay artistsWhy: Get a new cup, see some new work, meet some other clay artists, maybe promote your studio, your school, your classes, or your gallery to a cross-section of interested people.How: Bring a cup that you are proud of to the cup swap. Anything that qualifies as a cup (mug, teacup, goblet, beer stein, yunomi, tumbler….) The focus is on functional work, but if sculptural is your thing, make sure it’s at least cup referential. Add it too the pool of cups. Starting at 7pm we’ll start a random drawing to find out who gets which cup. Feel free to bring food or drink for potluck style snacks, but don’t feel obligated to.If you have questions, email Erik at eskull@aol.com.....................................................Erik Scollonwww.erikscollon.net

Free Tour of Warren MacKenzie: Legacy of an American Potter

Ruby's is a member of ACGA--
I hope you can take advantage of this generous offer.

Bonnie Cohn
Free Tour of Warren MacKenzie: Legacy of an American Potter

Dear ACGA:

We are delighted to invite every ACGA member to a Free Tour of our current exhibition "Warren MacKenzie: Legacy of an American Potter." The tours will be held on July 11th and July 25th at 1:00pm in the gallery.

Best,
Maria Elena


Curatorial and Management Intern
Museum of Craft and Folk Art
51 Yerba Buena Lane
San Francisco CA 94103
415-227-4888
www.mocfa.org

William Sonoma is looking for a production potter

Tony Leo of William Sonoma is looking for a production potter to design and make a set of terra cotta ware for the WSCT line. He is looking for some one that is willing to make 3 oval nesting platters, one large round platter and two round serving bowls; all with a stamped boarder and using red, blue and yellow glaze. If you are interested please contact him at tleo@wstc.com or you can call him at: (415) 581-3427.

Ann's leaving for a LIFE IN MEXICO

Everyone is welcome at Ann Bontatibus' going away POTLUCK LUNCHEON at Ruby's on Sunday, July 19th, at 12:30 p.m.
(This is NOT a surprise party.)
Bring something delicious to eat or drink.
Click on "comment", at the bottom of this blog entry and add your name and what you'll be bringing. You can read through the other entries to see what others are already going to bring so as not to duplicate too much.
Even though we all hate that she's leaving, at least we can get a delicious lunch out of it....

Rebecca and Tracy

Firing delayed

Charles says there is not even enough for the Carter as per the scheduled date of 6/21 in the Olsen.. SO IT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO THE CARTER: LOAD MON. 6/29, FIRE 6/30, UNLOAD THURSDAY 7/2.

Call For Artists: Small Works, Miniatures & Maquettes

Small Works, Miniatures & MaquettesJuly 8 - August 29, 2009Featuring works by Robert Arneson, Camille Claudel, Richard Notkin, Lisa Clague & Arthur Gonzalez
CALL FOR ARTISTS!Submissions accepted through June 15, 2009
Pieces should be no larger than 8", All mediums appreciated!
Send an image with the work's full information to: art@natsoulas.com
The John Natsoulas Gallery521 First StreetDavis, Ca 9516
www.natsoulas.com(530) 756 3938

Message from Sharon

Hi there everyone, this is the followup email about voting for me for this great competition. I hope to win some publicity and a couple of thousand bucks to get to Ghana this year. heres how. it doesnt take that long though it looks like a lot!!!!Go to www.changemakers.net.at top center there is a link to join/log in, you have to log in to vote, sorry!!!on the right at bottom click the join box. fill in the 5 log in fields, answer the math question and click, register your profile. they generate a password for you and send it to your email account. pick up your password from your email account- then log back into the site (in the dark blue field 'already a member')Then click the competitions link. in menu bar, under Globetrotters for Good.scroll down - click on the link '32 entries from 14 countires'all the entries pop up. mine is called 'global art expeditions'- ( virtuevision.org)when the page opens there should be a little hand with thumb up in a blue circle. click on the thumb up for a vote to my project. tell all your friends and wish me luck.
love sharon

RESULTS OF MEMBER SURVEY –MARCH 2009

RESULTS OF MEMBER SURVEY –MARCH 2009
Please note that totals do not necessarily equate from question to question since not all respondents completed all categories and often responses could not be tallied because directions were not followed.

Who responded:
Locker holder 31
Space holder 18
Other 10 (employee, drop-in, student)
How long at Ruby’s
Less than 1 year 4
1-3 years 12
4-9 years 20
10+ years 19
How often at Ruby’s (often with multiples responses)
Weekdays 43 Often weekly 45
Weekends 30 Occasionally 9
Daytimes 40 Seldom 1
Evenings 25
Involvement in Ruby’s
On a committee 24 Attend monthly meetings 18
Interest in future surveys by e-mail
Yes 27 No 18


1A What is your opinion about the size of Ruby’s present space
Excellent 2
Adequate 23
Too Small 27
Other 2
1B How important is it for Ruby’s to have more space for working in Clay
Urgent 2
Very Important 19
Moderately Imp. 23
Not Important 11
No Opinion 1
1C How important is it to have larger lockers and/or private spaces
Top priority 3
Very Important 17
Moderately Imp. 24
Not Important 11
No Opinion 2
1D How important is it to increase the number of lockers in order to add more members
Top Priority 2
Very Important 9
Moderately Imp. 11
Not Important 30
No Opinion 4

1E How important is it to------ 1F
Increase the number of classes Expand the variety of classes
Top Priority 1 Top Priority 2
Very Important 5 Very Important 13
Moderately Imp 19 Moderately Imp 23
Not Important 28 Not Important 13
No Opinion 5 No Opinion 3
1 G If Ruby’s were to Expand, should the studio
Open and “Annex 17
Mover to a larger location 17
Expand in same location 26
If Ruby’s adds an “annex”, will the impact be—
Positive 10
Negative 23
No Change 15

THE FOLLOWING ARE WEIGHTED RANKINGS OF RESPONSES
(Individuals were asked to rank their responses to these questions. These rankings were given a weight (ie lst rank =5, 2nd rank= 4, etc); these ranks were then totaled for each response and the result is a weighted ranking which can then be compared)
What would you like to see if more space is available?
More space for storage 110
Larger hand building area 82
C lasses for experienced members 75
More private spaces 64
Spray booth 63
Expanded glazing area 60
More lockers 41
Separate glaze mixing area 40
Broader range of classes 39
Meeting room/lounge 37
Area for photography 30
Sculpture area 30
Larger exhibit area 24
Separate area for cone 5 23
Additional kilns 20
Separate area for grinding 12
More sections of classes 5

If Ruby’s decides to purchase a building or rent additional space…….which approaches would be most successful in raising money
Special fund raising events 98
Deposit late fees in fund 55
Deposit small % of annual income 49
Establish gift-giving program 49
Earmark % of income from studio
Events 29
Earmark % of gallery sales 21
Require one-time fee 14
Raise monthly fees 9

Which changes are most important to you?
Improve facilities 143
Create a fund for purchase 131
Purchase present building 115
Increase workshops 69
Improve equipment 65
Rent additional annex 50
Increase manager hours 35
Increase class offerings 31
Buy more equipment 30
Increase space for ceramics 29
Invest in publicity 25
Create web-based network 20
Increase cleaning crew 18
Increase managerial space 9
NOTE: While the tallies of all responses were coded by locker holders, space holders and others, responses were quite evenly spread between all types of respondents; therefore, there seemed no reason to show results by category of respondent.

Nancy Selvin Demonstration at Ruby’s

Nancy Selvin Demonstration at Ruby’s

Color, Surface, Text with Nancy Selvin: an exploration of Underglaze Color and Printing on Ceramic form

Sunday May 3rd, 2009
10:00am – 1:00pm

$30 for Ruby’s members
$35 for non-members
Registration begins April 3rd, 2009.

Dissolving the boundaries between surface and form Nancy Selvin will demonstrate techniques for layering color, image and text onto ceramic surfaces using an easy screen printing process and underglaze applications.A slide presentation will illustrate Ms. Selvin's personal history and the influences that have shaped her approach to clay.

Email passed on by Clark

Artists of all the world are invited to participate in the Convocation for Tiles of Artists III in Argentina.
As Tiles of Artists is identified with the city Paso de los Libres, where the first monument was placed, and due to the success of this event (www.placasdeartistas.com.ar) our intention is to create in this city an itinerary trip tour through ceramics visiting the different spaces where Tiles of Artists will be placed.
We are sending with this message conditions to participate. Please spread to others this invitation.
Thank you and we are exoecting your Artist Tile.


Cristina del Castilloartista plástica
www.cristinadelcastillo.com.ar
www.placasdeartistas.com.ar

Glaze room purge 4/27

Glaze Room Purge: 4/27
Please remove personal items, orphaned projects, and personal glazes from the glaze room shelves and from above the glaze sink by 4/27.

Thank you for helping to keep Ruby's a clean, safe and friendly environment.

Ruby's Clay Studio - 552A Noe Street, SF Ca., 94114 Located between 18th and 19th Streets in the Castro District.
Manager's Phone: 415.558.9819
Manager's Hrs: Mon-Fri 9-1pm, Wed. Eve 5.30-9pm, Sat. 12.30-4.30pm More information at our website: www.rubysclaystudio.org

Ballot correction

Dear members,
Ballots for all first quarter proposals went out to all eligible voters.
Ballots were placed in your mailbox (in the kitchen area) or in your locker if you don't have a mailbox. If you think you are eligible and would like to have your ballot sent to you, please contact a manager during manager's hours. All ballots are due no later than Tues. April 28th 2009.

There was a typo (of course) on one of the proposals. That was in the argument section of proposal 2.09.1 - Amend the Two-Thirds Rule.
Halfway through the argument, after #1 of "the issues", the line reading "It's appropriate to assume that a vote in support....." should read, "It's inappropriate to assume that a vote in support..."
Thanks for noting this correction.

-Andrew

Len's Return

Len is no longer moving to New York -- so he's back!

Open Studios announcement

Gary from Ruby's forwarded the following letter from the head of ArtSpan for the blog:

Subject: Chairman’s Letter: Early Bird Rate Deadline moved to April 30, 2009

March 30, 2009
>
> Dear Fellow Artist,
>
> Recently, we held the Annual ArtSpan Auction at SoMarts Gallery and
> had one of the largest turnouts ever. All the live auction pieces
> sold and 104 other works were purchased at the silent auction. Our
> take- prices were lower and buyers are seeking discounts; however,
> art works are moving! What does this mean for Open Studios, 2009?
> Like the movie industry which has seen a huge jump in audiences, we
> expect larger crowds to visit artist studios so be prepared.
>
> With the deadline for Open Studios Registration approaching, I
> encourage all of you to approach your participation with a business
> plan:
>
> 1. Consider reducing some price points, adding affordably priced art.
> 2. Take out an ad in the Guide. If you cannot afford a full-page ad,
> consider creating a group ad with some of your fellow artists.
> 3. Publish a website or join Facebook and use it to promote your
> participation.
> 4. If you are relatively new to Open Studios, consider joining a
> group site
> 5. Plan on attending our marketing workshop and really focus your 5
> minute presentation to visitors.
>
> Concerned about sales – consider this? You will have the opportunity
> to spend an entire weekend discussing your work with total
> strangers. THIS IS A PRICELESS EXPERIENCE! Even if your art sales
> don’t measure up, think of this year as an investment. When the
> economy improves, those viewers will be buyers!
>
> So what is ArtSpan doing to help? We agree that the $185 registration
> fee is a particularly significant expense in these perilous times so
> we have extended the early bird rate of $170 to April 30th. We wish
> we could lower our fees still further but unless more artists sign up
> we will struggle to keep it even at this level. We have reduced staff
> and are doing all that we can to keep our expenses in check. We have
> increased the number of pages in the guide available for artists’ ads
> and strongly encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. ,
> I would like to thank all the artists who are so active to
> encouraging other artists to register.
>
> Come October many future buyers will be canvassing the studios,
> looking for their next favorite artist. But first, they need to know
> where to find you. So get your registration fee in ASAP and
> certainly before April 30th. See you all at Open Studios.
>
> Sincerely
>
> John F. Melvin
> Chairman
> ArtSpan

Group show announcement - Nature of Vessels

Group show March 18-31 is open to all Ruby’s community. Please email Hideo and Ryan at the following address ryang77@ymail.com no later than Saturday March 14 if you are interested.
The show’s theme is vessels that hold flowers or plants. A vessel can be a vase, cup, bowl, bottle, teapot, etc. Ideas for flower arrangements include but not limited to cut flowers, potted plants, branches or any dried botanical.
Opening is Sunday March 22 from 2-4, please sign up for the potluck in bathroom starting Thursday March 12th.
Please leave one piece on the downstairs table between Monday March 16-Wednesday March 18. On a piece of paper include name, title of piece, and price. Work is for sale with sellers permit only and include arrangement so adjust price accordingly and is also sold at the time of purchase.
Please plan to have your plant arrangement in place by Saturday March 21.
Looking forward to a fantastic show!
Hideo and Ryan

Workshop - Forwarded from Rhonda

Gay Smith will be leading a pottery workshop series at La Meridiana in Tuscany, Italy, from May 17-23 &/or May 24-30. Choose to attend for one or two weeks. Accommodation, many gorgeous Italian meals, tours to Florence and surrounding area, and tuition, materials, and firing are included in the very reasonable cost of 900 euros for one week or 1600 for 2 weeks. (The euro is currently a little over a dollar, less than it's been for some time). Non- potting spouses, family and friends are welcome at 70% the cost. To sign up, or for more information, contact: La Meridiana

Contact: La Meridiana – Loc. Bagnano, 135, 50052 Certaldo (Firenze) Italy info@lameridiana.fi.it www.lameridiana.fi.it
Cost is 900 euros for one week, or 1600 euros for two weeks. Spouses and friends welcome; their fee will be 70 % of the student cost and entitles one to everything listed except what pertains to the workshop and ceramic activities. Tel./FAX: +39 0571 660084

RUBY’S LONG RANGE PLANNING SURVEY

Ruby’s must plan for the future and the Long Range Planning Task Force has developed a SURVEY which will help determine the direction that Ruby’s will take in the future. While there will be several surveys to gain information on a variety of plans for Ruby’s future, this SURVEY addresses the issue of SPACE. There may be attractive solutions to the ever-present demand for more space. But first we need to know how individual members of the Ruby’s community feel about the need for additional space and the means by which more space might be acquired.The SURVEY has been placed in all the individual lockers and mail boxes. In addition, there is a folder of surveys for those who frequently use the Studio but are not paying members—students and drop-ins and wait-list persons. We urge everyone to encourage these people to pick up a SURVEY, complete it and return it to the “suggestion box” in the kitchen area.Please take the few minutes to complete the SURVEY and return it by March 31, 20009. The results of the SURVEY will be shared with everyone. And these results will serve as the foundation for decisions on how Ruby’s should proceed in the future.If you have questions, please contact any of the members of the Task Force: Kent, Terrie, Marcia, Charles, Pat and Nina.THANKS FOR COMPLETING THE SURVEY!!!

Ruby's unofficial blog spot

Hi everyone, This is Ruby's unofficial blog spot. The idea to make a blog for Ruby's came up yesterday by a few people at the studio and I volunteered to set it up. Since it hasn't been approved at a meeting yet this is still not officially a Ruby's Clay Studio blog. Once it is, it will be. I started this before bringing it to a meeting because I'm motivated to do it now and might not be in a month. If there is too much opposition I will take it down.

Since blogs are still relatively new to me I'm still learning how to manage them. At the present I believe I can directly add postings and anyone can make comments. I would like to figure out a way that anyone can directly add postings. I think it is possible to have up to 100 people approved to add postings so that should work just fine. Once it is approved at a meeting I will figure out how to do that and anyone who wants to add a posting will be able to do so.

For now if you have anything you need posted just email it to me and I'll post it. Anyone will be able to comment on it.

Once approved I will fill out the profile section and ask Clark to put a link to the blog on the web site.

This blog will be great for sharing ideas. It can be helpful for different meeting proposals, for discussions on studio policies, potential new glazes or even if someone wants to get a group together to purchase some materials in bulk this would be a way to get the word out.

I believe there is an option for you all to choose if you would like an email sent to you every time a posting/comment is made to the site. That would be up to you. I'm not quite sure how that works yet but would not be something you were required to do.

I'm very excited about this but at the same time apprehensive. I thought it would be a nice thing to set this up for the studio but there usually is someone who is outraged or offended by anything anyone does (I don't mean a specific person, it's different all the time. Sometimes it's me) so if you are that person with this blog please don't worry. This will be brought before a meeting and all will be resolved. You can even leave me a nasty comment right now on this blog in the comment section below!

For now, please send me any info you want posted here. I think this is going to be fun.
Bloggingly yours, Harry