Millie Carpenter on fri 28 dec 01
Kate,
I think that if you look at what you get, it gets more reasonable by the minute.
there are two solid days of demos (2 or 3 world class thrower and hand builders.)
and slide lectures of their previous work with lots of Q & A. there are two sets,
one more functional and one more sculptural. these are held in a large hall with 2
large screens for close ups, and two camera people who have the sense to keep the
focus on the hands and the work, not the faces.
you have a trade show that is unbelievable. you get a chance to try out all kinds
of products, and some of the dealers will have specials. some will have free
stuff. you can get technical help of all kinds. if you want a wheel and kiln it
affords you a chance to really compare them, and even though I bought most of my
stuff second hand, the dealers are really generous with their time and help so that
you can get what you need to keep them running well,
Many of the Magazines including ones from outside the US are there with back
issues. a lot of the dealers will have copies of the books and vidio's that they
sell so you can get a look at them and decides which ones you want. free posters,
Tools, I don't even want to start, I always buy too many,
the bus tours and shuttle passes are worth the extra 15 or 20 dollars last year I
had my car in Charlotte, but it was cheaper and easier to do the bus. there are
more exhibits and gallerys than you can realistically see.
there are lectures and discussion groups on every subject. Higher education, how
to set up a business, ( Wendy Rosen has done an early breakfast lecture) One year
David Hedley, Vince P. & Jack troy gave a slide show about their work and the tools
they use, then broke into demo groups where you could play with their tools, The
Clay tools, I know how this group gets ;-) and learn how to make your own brushes,
extruder dies and texturing tools. Slide shows from New artists, A K-12 exhibit
if you are an educator that is something to see.
And then there is the clayart room, We have a place to sit and visit and rest. we
have our mug exchange which is a fantastic exhibit, we have our own slide shows and
quick demos, The mayor taught me to tap on center in much less than 5 minutes one
year. Our own glaze doctors are there with laptops to fiddle with recipes.
the easiet way to discribe NCECA is a 3 ring circus with side shows, and all of the
performers are clay people.
I know that where I live the weekend Workshops where there is just one artist can
run 170 and lots more sometimes. So when you put it into perspective, it is really
reasonable.
go look at the NCECA site http://www.nceca.net/conf2002.htm look at the
preliminary schedule. for me the most difficult thing is to limit myself to what I
can do without total exhaustion. Forgot--the Randall Session. A wonderful chance
to see an incredible performance by a non clay artist. I know that I have left
lots of things out.
But don't pass up the chance to go. I have paid for my flights and hotel rooms on
top of the conference fee, and My pennies come from Substitue teaching and what I
sell, my art activities have to be self supporting because both my kids are in
college, and there are no left over pennies for me. I have to organize things in
my house so that my husband from the 50's can have food and clean clothes while I am
gone. I have to hire a teenager to come in and feed my 3 cats at mid day because
hubby works in DC so he is gone from 6 AM til 7 PM. But it is so worth it.
Millie in Md. it is has gone from being 60 degrees to 30 degrees here, Winter has
finally hit. But Buffalo has hogged all the snow! can't make up my mind if I am
jealous or relieved.
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