Headed to NCECA Philadelphia 2010

I'm leaving tomorrow for Philadelphia, PA and my first NCECA conference (National Council on the Education for Ceramic Arts)! I can hardly imagine 5000 ceramic artists all in the same city! Very exciting!

If you're going to be there, be sure to stop by the following exhibits...

Off the Wheel: A Showcase of Slab-built Pots for the Table and Home.
Chestnut Hill Academy, 500 West Willow Grove Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 215-247-4700

Featuring Benjamin Carter, Sam Chung, Marc Digeros, Allison McGowan, Chris Pickett, Sandi Pierantozzi, Cheyenne Chapman Rudolph, Amy Scher, Liz Zlot Summerfield.
My good friend and professional potter, Cheyenne Chapman Rudolph also curated this exhibit. I'm so proud of her!

Opening Reception - Thursday, April 1, 6-9pm


2010 NCECA Invitational - Earth Matters
The Galleries at Moore College of Art and Design,
20^th Street and The Parkway, Philadelphia, PA. 19103

Opening Reception - Thursday April 1, 5-7 pm.

Nan Smith, figurative sculptor and one of my instructors at UF, has a large installation in this exhibit. I went out to her studio a few weeks ago to help her pack this work. It includes over 300 parts!

1,895 Years of Pottery
B Square Gallery -614 South 9th St., Philadelphia, PA 19147

Linda Arbuckle, majolica potter extraordinaire and another of my UF instuctors, is one of 60 potters represented in this show that have at least 25 years of experience working with clay, adding up to over 1,895 years of experience! Not be be missed.

Opening Reception: Thursday, April 1, 6-8pm

Looks like Thursday night is going to be full of gallery hopping, enjoying great artwork, spending time with old friends, and meeting new one! Hope to see you there!

Cheers!
Meagan

CURVE studios & garden Celebrates Growth - Spring Open House

ASHEVILLE -- Fresh off its most successful year ever in Asheville’s River Arts District, CURVE studios & garden will celebrate the energy of the season by spotlighting seven new CURVE artists during its Spring 2010 Open House Weekend April 23-25, and Twilight Party, Friday, April 23.

Despite the sluggish economy, CURVE artists found 2009 rewarding. “What recession?” responded Pattiy Torno, CURVE studios & garden owner, when asked how the enclave of artists who maintain working studios in 6, 9 and 12 Riverside Drive were handling the challenging retail climate. “Our customers are focusing on buying local, buying handmade & supporting the best and the brightest in the Asheville RAD,” she added.

The CURVE studios & garden Spring 2010 Open House Weekend is an opportunity for visitors to enjoy the beauty of new growth in the garden & in the studios of the seven new resident artists. Barb Butler and Karen Donde are Sutherland Handweaving in #6. Fran Welch and Greg Vineyard, upstairs in #9 and Akira Satake, Kyle Carpenter and Linda McFarling, downstairs in #12, all work in ceramics.

In addition, some CURVE artists are showing off new studios. The demand for works by encaustic painter Constance Williams has predicated the need for a larger studio. Williams can now be found on the main floor of #9. Cassie Ryalls and Jenny Mastin have moved upstairs in #9. Maria Andrade Troya has moved her pottery over into #12 CURVE. Torno and Meagan Chaney remain in #6. Represented artists include Simone Wilson and Mimi Strang in #6 and Patty Bilbro, Cynthia Wynn, Kelly Prestwood and Mystery Masiello in #9 CURVE.

Open house hours are 11 am-8 pm Friday and 11 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday. The twilight party begins at 5 pm Friday and features a Mediterranean-themed feast, hand made chocolates, wine, Wedge beer and music. Everyone is welcome.

Throughout the weekend, CURVE studios & garden artists will offer in-studio demonstrations. Sutherland Handweaving will present its Just Weave class, inviting beginning and experienced weavers to weave a scarf in one day. Cost for the Just Weave class is $75 plus yarn, and reservations are required.

6 • 9 • 12 Riverside Drive • River Arts District • Asheville, NC 28801 • www.CURVEstudiosNC.com

Job Posting - Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Program Manager

Position Advertisement

Position Description

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, an adult craft education center located in Gatlinburg Tennessee, seeks a Program Manager.

The Program Manager participates in the development and implementation of educational programs to achieve the mission of the organization, and has responsibility for the management of specific programs and the safety and functionality of all studios. The Program Manager develops and produces the organization’s community and school-based arts education programs for adults and children, including program design, budgeting, staffing, and evaluation, and participates in the identification, recruitment and hiring of instructors for annual workshops. The Manager is also responsible for the organization’s scholarship, work-study and studio assistant programs, including promotion, recruitment, application review, and selection and supervision of participants. The position is responsible for studio management, maintenance and improvement to meet educational and safety goals, and ensure equipment and supplies meet instructional needs. The position manages full-time studio maintenance technician, part-time and contract employees including work-study students and studio assistants, works closely with other members of the staff, and reports to the Program Director. The position is full-time, year-round, salaried, benefits eligible, and exempt.

Qualifications

• · Knowledge and experience in administration at an arts or craft education organization, preferably a non-profit organization. Ability to conceptualize programs and activities to achieve curriculum and organizational goals, design and implement program evaluation, develop and manage budgets, hire and supervise personnel,
• · Ability to manage the maintenance and repair specialized studio equipment and tools in various media.
• · Skills and experience in using technology to share images and support art making.
• · Broad knowledge and relationships among educational and studio artists.
• · Commitment to the mission of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts.
• · A proven record as a resourceful problem-solver.
• · Demonstrated verbal and written communication skills as well as strong planning, administrative and organizational skills. Emotional maturity, self-confidence and a sense of humor.
• · A creative manager who can communicate and operate effectively during a time of transition and impart credibility, trust, enthusiasm and integrity.
• · Ability and willingness to travel.
• · Proven ability to work with and supervise a diverse group of individuals.
• · Demonstrated ability to work successfully in a small team setting with a consensus-building model.
• · Bachelor’s degree and/or specific professional training in art, craft or art education preferred.

Additional skills and characteristics necessary for the successful implementation of the responsibilities of this position include creativity, teamwork, vision, adaptability and collaboration in addition to excellent planning and communication skills, attentiveness to detail, mentoring and management expertise.

Anticipated Start Date

May 15, 2010

What makes an art festival a "Good One"?

A few weekends ago I participated in my first outdoor art festival - The Winter Fine Art Fair at Tioga. I am member of the University of Florida student ceramic group H.O.T (handbuilt or thrown) Clay and the Gainesville Fine Art Association invited us to set up a booth at this year's event. The festival is in its third year, and growing. It rained all day Saturday, but the sun came out for beautiful Sunday afternoon.

Just prior to this, I met someone responsible for organizing a similar event in Ocala, FL. We began discussing festival ideas and planning and it got me thinking.

So, I am asking for advice from artists who have regularly participated in weekend festivals. I will be sharing your comments, so if you prefer, you can email me at info@MeaganChaney.com

What makes a festival a "good one"?

If it's sales, then how did the organizing committee get the word out to buyers? Or do you believe your sales are independent results and do not coorlate with specific events?

Location? Maybe there really is something about escaping to South Florida in February.

Parking? scheduling? help/assistance? communication? reputation? size? quality of other artists exhibited? what is it?!

And, if any artists reading have participated in the Ocala Art Festival hosted in the fall by Fine Arts For Ocala, I would love to know if you have any specific ideas for improving this event.

I thank everyone in advance for your feedback! I am excited about getting more involved in my local art community and will appreciate any suggestions I can pass along to the committee.

Cheers!

Meagan