About Us

Mission

Az CLAY is an association of clay artists who unite in the purpose of advancing public appreciation of clay as a medium of expression and commerce. Az CLAY provides education through open workshops, juried and non-juried public exhibitions in cooperation with other institutions, and the development of marketing opportunities.

History

The Arizona CLAY Association was founded in 1967 by a group of clay artists living in the Phoenix area. CLAY was their acronym for Craftsmen Living Among You as well as the medium in which they worked. Their goals were to gain support and inspiration from their mutual interest in clay, to share resources and develop camaraderie in the creation of pottery. Over the past forty-five years, the Association has grown to a group of nearly 200 members.

In support of the goal, "clay artists sharing fellowship, knowledge and community service," some of the activities that the organization has performed over the years include:

• Sponsoring or co-sponsoring workshops presented by significant clay artists such as Paul Soldner, David Shaner, Robin Hopper, Tom Coleman, Richard Burkett, Susan Peterson, and Don Reitz to name but a few;

• Annual or biennial shows of member work which have been held at the Heard Museum, the Shemer Art Center, the West Valley Art Museum and the Chandler Center for the Arts;

• Participating in an annual Empty Bowl event that has raised over $500,000 for Waste Not, a charity that helps to feed the hungry in the Phoenix area; and,

• Workshops for cancer survivors, offered in connection with Creative Arts in Healing.

--Adapted from "Arizona CLAY 45th Anniversary - 2012" by Susan Hearn, published in the January 2012 Newsletter.