The Nation’s Largest All-Clay Show

Portland, Ore. (GrapeVineTrail.com) — What could be better than art you can use around the house? The Oregon Potters Association (OPA) is holding its 27th Annual Ceramic Showcase at the Oregon Convention Center this spring and will have artists selling everything from functional art to display pieces. Taking place April 24-26, 2009, the Ceramic Showcase is the largest all-clay show in the country and features over 150 booths of diverse, creative ceramic objects for the home, garden or office. These range from teapots to bowls, wind chimes to wall decorations.

In addition to the booths, this once-a-year event has something for everyone. The Ceramic Showcase will feature daily demonstrations by potters, fundraisers for local charities, a children’s clay play area, live music and Oregon wine tasting—best of all, the admission is free.

Clay art will also be displayed throughout the Showcase in the form of themed installations. One of note is titled “Music in the Garden” which will feature anything that makes a joyful noise in the outdoors such as fountains, chimes and bells. All sales from this installation will benefit OPA’s Clay in Education Program.

While many pottery veterans return each year with new designs for the Ceramic Showcase, event organizers take great care to foster the growth and education of youth in working with clay. Local high schools will be extremely involved in the Ceramic Showcase including a gallery where emerging high school potters can display their work. On Saturday, there will be a high school “Throw-a-Thon” in which four of the best clay throwers will compete to make pieces for the Oregon Food Bank’s Empty Bowls Project. A high school awards program will follow, honoring work by high school students displayed at the Ceramic Showcase.

For those who would like to learn more about working with clay, the Ceramic Showcase will have on-going demonstrations by nationally-acclaimed potters, teaching attendees about a variety of clay techniques. Ceramic Showcase attendees can then take those skills and apply them in either the adult or children’s clay area or visit any of the educational displays to learn more about local pottery classes and programs.

Other activities at the Ceramic Showcase include:
• Live jazz and swing music on Friday from 6:30 to 9 p.m., performed by the Mindi Brizendine duo;
• Gift certificate giveaway—eight $50 gift certificates will be given away throughout the weekend and can be used toward any pottery purchase at the Ceramic Showcase;
• A group booth displaying work from 18 emerging artists;
• A large gallery featuring the finest work of professional ceramic artists from Oregon and Southwest Washington.

OPA’s 27th Annual Ceramic Showcase event details:
Dates: April 24-26, 2009
Hours: Friday, April 24, 2009, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2009, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sunday, April 26, 2009, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Oregon Convention Center
777 N.E. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
(Conveniently located right on TriMet MAX line)
Portland, Oregon
Cost: Admission is free

The 2009 Ceramic Showcase is sponsored by TriMet, Red Lion Inn, Pacific Continental Bank, Georgies Ceramic and Clay Company, Skutt Ceramic Products and the Clay Art Center. The Oregon Potters Association serves as a professional liaison between the public, galleries, businesses, publications and arts agencies locally, nationally and globally. OPA’s members organize cooperative purchases to obtain pottery supplies, books and materials at quantity discount prices. For more information about the Showcase or the Oregon Potters Association, please visit www.ceramicshowcase.com.

OPA’s Clay in Education program was created to provide clay instruction by professional potters to youth and adults in the local community. The program also funds two $1,000 scholarships each year to students in grades 7-12 through the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, a national organization rewarding achievement in the arts.