VCPG July 2026 Newsletter
For Your Calendar:
July 14th ……......................Make bowls for FoodShare/info on Home page
July 20th …….....................Gallery Artists meeting @ 7pm
August 8th …….................Velvet Underglazes on Greenware with Genie Thomsen
August 11th ……................Board Meeting @ 4:30pm
August 10th ……................Gallery Committee meeting @ 7pm
August 22nd ……...............Ocarinas and Multi-Tone Whistles with Drew Lurie
August 24th ……................Program meeting @ 7pm • Gathering @6:30
NCECA presenter
August 29th ……................Soft Slab Boxes with Genie Thomsen
September 8th …….............Board Meeting @ 4:30pm
September 28th……............Program meeting @ 7pm • Gathering @6:30
October 13th ……...............Board Meeting @ 4:30pm
October 12th ……..............Gallery Committee meeting @ 7pm
October TBD ……..............Annual meeting -- potluck @ 2pm
November 10th……..............Board Meeting @ 4:30pm
November 21st …….............Beatrice Wood Show (thru Jan. 9th, 2027)
November 23rd……..............Program meeting @ 7pm • Gathering @6:30
Clay Challenge • Trees
December TBD ……............Holiday potluck @ 2pm (in place of the Dec meeting)
December 8th ……..............Board Meeting @ 4:30pm
December 14th ……............Gallery Committee meeting @ 7pm
The complete calendar is always listed on the home page. Log in to see everything.
You will find links to all Zoom meetings/events on the VCPG.ORG home page calendar. Just click on the meeting/event to find the Zoom link.
A Message from Your VCPG Board President • July 2026
Greetings VCPG Members,
I hope this finds you well and you are enjoying your summer. Even though we take a bit of a break in July with no monthly Board or Program meetings, folks are still working and there’s plenty of activities looking forward.
The Program Team has a Pottery Jam and two Local Expert Workshops scheduled for August and a Field Trip to Scripps College and AMOCA in September. See below and the Guld Calendar for more information.
We are also getting ready for the upcoming Bowl of Thanks/Ventura Pottery Market at the Ventura Harbor November 7th and 8th. The proceeds of the Bowl of Thanks benefits Food Share Ventura County. last year, our Bowl of Thanks contributed $21,000 to their efforts to support 254,000 of our Ventura County neighbors by providing over 1.6 million meals EACH MONTH. Information about Team Service for the event is below.
It’s never too early to start making bowls for The Bowl of Thanks, maybe throw one or two in every kiln load between now and then. Earlier this week we held a bowl-making social event at my studio – yet another opportunity to get together in person and meet new friends. We’ll try and schedule another in the next couple months.
But we, as individual artists, have an additional opportunity to support Food Share, Food Share is holding their own “Fed Up Shindig and Serving Hope Silent Auction” mid-September. They are asking local artists from all media to donate serving and tableware for the event. Ellen Wohlstatder is helping to coordinate the donations from member artists, including picking up pieces from the Gallery to deliver to Food Share.
More information is included in the attached letter from Food Share. There is an entry form each artist should complete by August 1st. This is also attached. If you plan to deliver your donation to the Gallery for Ellen to deliver, select “I will hand-deliver my item”, you can also request that Food Share pick up your item.
FOODSHARE VCPG Letter.pdf
FoodShare_Flyer and Application Form.pdf
Reminders & Updates
The VCPG Board of Directors now meets the 2nd Tuesday of the month, at 4:30pm via Zoom. All members are welcome to attend. The link to Board meetings can be found on the Guild Calendar on the VCPG.org Home page. You can contact Secretary on the Contact Us page if you would like to receive the Agenda Packet in advance of the Board of Directors Meeting.
Have you dreamed about being a member of the VCPG Board of Directors? (You know you have!). Well there’s a current opportunity for out Member-At-Large position. This role offers a unique opportunity to:
- Contribute to the growth and vibrancy of the Guild.
- Collaborate with a team of like-minded individuals who share your enthusiasm for our mission.
- Play an active role in enhancing the experiences of Guild members and the broader community.
If you would like more information or to apply, contact me at president@vcpg.org. And stay tuned for announcements regarding more opportunities to serve the Guild.
Please pull out your calendars and schedule your Team Service commitment early. Sign up now for upcoming Team Service opportunities. In particular, the Bowl of Thanks/Ventura Pottery Market needs many hands to make it work. I cannot stress how much this will help the teams that are planning the events. We also have range of TS commitments that can be completed from home and/or via Zoom meetings.
All Plus tier members are required to complete one Team Service commitment each year. If you have questions or need assistance, email teamservice@vcpg.org.
The Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts (BWCA) non - members show will be November 21st through January 9th with the opening reception on November 21st.
Theme of the show is Dining in Style. Participants will be able to submit place settings of three or more items (the idea is that you can eat or drink with them). And you can submit up to two different settings!
Deadline for entries is October 25th
Drop off work at the BWCA is November 13th – 15th.
You do not need to be juried or a Plus Tier member to participate in this event.
That’s it for now. Keep making stuff.
Stacy Rowe
Guild President
president@vcpg.org
Jams
Velvet Underglazes on Greenware with Genie Thomsen • August 8
The Jam will gather around the topic of using liquid velvet underglazes on greenware. Genie will demonstrate how to create a pattern and transfer the design to your greenware, how to blend
colors so they have a watercolor look and firing options.
Participants are asked to bring a photo, sketch or piece of work that captured their interest in
exploring this technique.
The Jam will be held at Genie's in East Ventura. Address and last-minute info will be sent to
participants a few days before the Jam.
Click here to register for the waiting list,
Pottery Jam - Velvet Underglazes on Greenaware with Genie Thomsen - 8/8/2026
See Guild Calendar on the Home Page vcpg.org. If there is enough interest a second Jam may be scheduled.
Local Expert Workshops
Ocarinas and Multi-Tone Whistles with Drew Lurie • August 22
Ever wondered how to turn a clay form into a musical instrument?
The workshop with Drew, our Guild's resident musician and clay creator, is the place to learn. This three and a half hour workshop will give you the hands on experience to make your own kind of music.
Drew has perfected his methodology and is ready to pass along his knowledge. Registered participants should bring about 3 lbs of clay (your choice), a small container for water, sponge, needle tool, fettling knife or exacto, blending tool, silicone rib, any of your favorite tools, work board or canvas. Please bring water and personal snacks.
This workshop will be held in East Ventura.
Registration will be $15 per member. The registration fee will be used to provide an honorarium to the workshop presenter. If you need to cancel your registration after August 8th, a refund will be made only if your spot is filled.
Click here to register. Registration is also available online. See Guild Calendar on the Home Page vcpg.org.
Soft Slab Boxes with Genie Thomsen • August 29th
This four-hour workshop will cover pattern making and construction of soft slab boxes with lids. Participants will learn options for slab rolling, pattern making and technique for soft slab construction. Participants will leave the workshop with at least one box.
Participants are asked to bring: About 5 lbs of clay (your choice/with a bit of grog always better), Small container for water, work board or canvas, fettling knife or exacto tool, needle tool, scoring tool (fork or comb), brush, silicone rib, wood knife or chop stick, ruler or straight edge. Water and personal snacks.
This workshop will be held in East Ventura.
Registration will be $15 per member. The registration fee will be used to provide an honorarium to the workshop presenter. If you need to cancel your registration after July 25th, a refund will be made only if your spot is filled.
Click here to register. Registration is also available online. See Guild Calendar on the Home Page vcpg.org.
Sneak Peak on August 24th Program Meeting • NCECA Presenter
Sarah, a presenter at NCECA, drew an overflowing room of participants. Thank you Janet Neulander, our Guild Rep to NCECA, for suggesting this presentation.
Here is a quick snippet to introduce Sarah! Click here for a teaser for her Volumes presentation.
Clay Challenge Theme
Save the Date • Field Trip to Scripps College
Fred Marer Collection of Contemporary Ceramics and AMOCA
Saturday, September 26
The Program Team is excited to invite you to an exciting day of ceramics viewing and a hands-on opportunity to explore pieces in the Fred Marer Collection of contemporary ceramics.
Have you ever wanted to hold a Beatrice Wood pot, inspect a Greek vessel from 500 AD, or feel how thin the walls are of a neo-lithic pot from 2500 BC? The Marer collection is YOUR opportunity to experience ceramics as you have never done before. Imagine seeing a 2000 yr old fingerprint on the vessel you are holding, knowing that you are apart of the linage of object makers! It’s an incredibly powerful and poignant moment. It’s also a wonderful opportunity to get introduced to work you might never see and be exposed to an incredible range of processes, concepts and expressive possibilities.
This collection includes an international collection of contemporary ceramics, including American, British, Japanese, Korean, and Mexican work. The special focus of the Marer collection is post-war American ceramics, centered on the Otis group of Peter Voulkos and his colleagues Billy Al Benston, Michael and Magdelena Frimkiss, John Mason, Ken Price, Jerry Rothmen, Paul Soldner, Janice Roosevelt, and Harry Takemoto.
NOTE: To access the collection it requires 20+ steep steps with hand rail into the basement. If you are unable to traverse the stairs there is a Faculty and Noted Alumni Exhibition in the Gallery.
Members will leave Ventura, hopefully in their carpools at 8:30 AM.
We will meet at the Ruth Chandler Williamson Gallery and view the Faculty and Alumni Art Exhibition and then have a docent tour of some of the highlights of the Fred Marer Collection. There will be an opportunity to pull pieces from the vast collection for closer inspection.
Art viewing builds an appetite so there will be a break for lunch. A brown bag lunch is encouraged, to maximize our time at the venues. If you prefer, there will be suggestions for local eateries near AMOCA.
At AMOCA, we will view the Fractured Foundations: 250 years of American History, Togei: Contemporary Japanese Ceramics, The Vault Gallery, sales gallery and shop and tour the extensive studios
Click here to register. Pre-registration is open through August 2. We need a minimum of 8 people registered by August 2nd to solidify this amazing art trip! Please register as soon as possible. If we have 8 members pre-registered, the event will happen and registration will remain open until September 24th.
There is a $15 self-pay entry fee for AMOCA. Entry to the Marer Collection is free.
Guild members are encouraged to carpool, as it’s a long drive out to Claremont-Pomona. Please review the list of registrants that you can see on the registration page to form your carpool.
Information on route options, parking will be made available a week before the field trip.
Questions should be sent to programs@vcpg.org
See links below for more information on these exciting venues.
Marer Collection of Ceramics at Scripps College, Claremont,CA
AMOCA American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
AMOCA Fractured Foundations Exhibition
AMOCA Tohei: Japanese Contemporary Ceramics
See below for more information on these exciting venues.
Marer Collection of Ceramics at Scripps College, Claremont,CA
Paul Soldner
Pedestal Piece (907), 1990
Low Fire Salt Fuming
27 in. x 30 in. x 11 in.
AMOCA American Museum of Ceramic Art, Pomona, CA
Clay Challenge • Trees • moved to November Program Meeting
At our last Program Meeting members selected the theme of Trees for the next Clay Challenge. Because we have had such rich exchanges during the June Zoom Clay Challenge meetings the Program Team is going to schedule the Trees Clay Challenge meeting for November 23rd, our regular Program meeting. This change will allow us to spend our time in December at the Holiday Potluck socializing, eating and engaging in our gift exchange.
"Dinning in Style" at Beatrice Wood Center
"Dinning in Style" is the theme for the Beatrice Wood show this year from Nov. 21st to Jan. 9th, 2027.
You can submit two entries.
Reception is on Nov. 21st, 2-4
Each entry must include a dinner plate plus two or more items that you can eat or drink out of.
Entries will be due by October 25th.
The application will be on the website sometime in June.
This show is open to all membership levels.
So get your creative juices flowing and create some unique entries.
The VCPG Library
New Books for the Guild Library
Visit the library! Please email and make an appointment with Nancy Currey to come see the books we
have to offer and grab them off the shelf! They are at your disposal. They must be enjoyed.
Nancy Currey
VCPG Librarian
Ojai Pottery Summer fellowship 2026
Do you know a high school or college student ready to explore ceramics?
Ojai Pottery & Clay is offering a new summer fellowship for beginning wheel throwers. Ceramics-curious young people can receive a low cost, grant-subsidized introduction to wheel throwing and the workings of a ceramics studio. Classes will be taught by an experienced member of our faculty who is highly adept at introducing new potters to the wheel. Please consider sharing this with a young person who might be interested.
Admission is by application only and enrollment is limited.
If additional space is available, consideration will be given to students of any age.
Session dates: 8/4 - 9/1.
Cost: $75 for the 5-week session; all materials included.
Classes meet Tuesdays, 5-8 pm at Ojai Pottery & Clay School in Ojai.
Questions? Email: c.land@sbcglobal.net
To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.ojaipottery.com/summerfellowship
Pottery Jams Updat
We are always interested in hearing from members about an idea, a Jam host or the offer to open up a
studio or home for a ceramic focused hangout with other Guild members.
The Program Team spends time each month working on ideas and plans for our Jams.
Let’s keep the Jams happening.
We need your assistance in scheduling for the balance of 2026 and into 2027.
What are you interested in learning more about?
What might you be willing to teach or facilitate?
Please use this form to share your ideas and/or interest with us: Pottery Jam Proposals & Ideas
“Tapping our Finest” Workshops
“Tapping our Finest” Workshops are led by an experienced local ceramic artist and focus on a particular set of skills or techniques, i.e. Advanced Throwing/Large Forms, Sgraffito, Use of Oxides and Underglazes, Hand-built Boxes.
We are looking to offer a few half-day workshops during the summer and fall. We would like to support the talent of our members and local ceramic artists by inviting you all to submit your idea for a workshop you would like to offer. The Program Team will do all the work to publicize it, handle registration, assist with locating a site and providing support on the day of the workshop. Workshop instructors will be compensated for their time. Workshops will be offered to our members for a fee that covers instructor compensation, facility rental and non-participant provided supplies/materials.
Workshops typically have 10-20 participants.
If you are interested in being one of our instructor’s please email Foz at programs@vcpg.org and she will give you a call and/or, complete the Workshop Proposal Form . If you have a suggestion for a workshop or a local artist who would be great at presenting an interesting workshop, use the same link and drop down to the LAST question and fill in the info.
Who is a fan of The Great Pottery Throw Down?
Have you ever wondered what competing might be like? To take part in the TV series you must be a UK resident. So, what if we had one here? Would you be interested?
The Program Team is exploring the idea of pulling together a Pottery Throw Down for our members and students from schools we partner with through our Outreach Program. If you think you would like to be a participant sign-up here.
In order to move this idea from concept to reality we need at least four more people to join our planning and delivery team. If you would like to be part of bringing a Pottery Throwdown to our Guild community sign-up here! You CAN sign-up in both places! Stay tuned.
"Arts 'n Crafts Tour of Mexico" with host Patrick Crabb (Nov. 3-15)
This tour will be a cultural delight in the crafts of pottery/textiles/wood along with museums. Several workshops/lectures with artisans in weaving and pit firing pottery. We will visit Mexico City and Oaxaca ("Santa Fe" of Mexico). Learn the archaeology history of the Aztecs/Toltecs/Zapotecs. Shopping galore! Enrolling now. Cost: $3990/dbl occ Contact: pscrabb@cox.net "
patrick crabb/host
For Sale
Olympic updraft kiln
In good condition, can be converted to raku
Other ceramic items available
Contact Arnie. Cell 805 338 7052
Would you please post Ruty
If you are interested in seeing what other stuff I have just call me