What's Happening in the Clay Studio
29 August 2021 Update
Send questions or comments back to me by going to our website and
About -> Contact -> Click on Contact the President of the Studio
Lots of stuff to update you all on, so thought I’d send an eblast until our Newsletter starts back up. As the fall approaches and we look forward to welcoming our seasonal members back into the studio, our numbers in studio will likely grow. So here goes ….
COVID Protocols. There has been much discussion about mask wearing amidst the latest health concerns confronting our population. GVR policy has been changing frequently and is available on their website ( gvrec.org ) Current policy is:
8.26.21
GVR follows local ordinances regarding public health matters. There are currently no ordinances mandating masks. Members are encouraged to stay abreast of recommendations made by public health authorities and make choices according to their circumstances.
Read the most current Health Advisory from PCHD (Pima County Health Department) HERE.
Across the GVR campus, members may participate at their discretion, regardless of vaccination status or mask use. This applies to all activities that occur at a GVR facility: classes, socials, club activities, game groups, HOA events, lectures, etc.
The Clay Studio Board is keeping a close eye on the situation in Green Valley – I am happy to tell you I have not had a single reported case from a studio member, but I’m also not so naïve as to believe all cases are being reported, although it IS a condition of being a member of our studio.
Although we are considering requiring masks again in the studio, I am asking all members to do the following for now:
1. Continue collection and maintenance of contact tracing information.
2. Maintain a 6’ distance from other members you are not regularly in contact with. This means one person per worktable.
3. Disinfect or wash your hands regularly, especially before handling items available for public use (such as glaze jars, tools, molds, etc.).
4. If you are sick or have been exposed to anyone with a communicable illness, do not come into the studio.
5. If you have travelled outside the area, consider self-quarantine.
6. If you are not vaccinated, are concerned about your own exposure to others, or have travelled outside the area, wear a mask while in the studio.
7. Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough, then wash your hands.
If the public health situation continues to deteriorate, we will consider reinstituting more stringent activities, including signups for workstations, mask mandates, strict disinfecting protocols, etc. Remember, you may wear a mask if you are concerned about your health, even if there is not a mandate in place.
I am pleased to report that the Classroom (previous Fiesta Room) is now equipped and fully functional. With this addition, some changes in operation in the Studio overall are warranted, so please read the information below closely, as it may affect you.
Classroom. As a reminder, the priority of use for the Classroom is 1) Classes, 2) Meetings, 3) Workshops, and then overflow. Calendars with the schedule are posted on the Bulletin Board near the drinking fountain. Please check this schedule before working in this room. As a reminder, shelves in this room are designated for Classes and Workshop student use and overflow when all other shelves are full. If you have items in this room now that were not as a result of a workshop, please remove them to other drying areas. Additionally, we recognize the problem with lighting in this room and are working with GVR to improve this area. Give us time to fix this.
Storage Room behind Handbuilding Room. This room is designated for drying projects, is ready for use, and is a significant expansion just perfect for your Hand built projects. Please start using these shelves.
Sculpture Room. As has been our policy in the past, this is designated the “quiet room” and is used for all Sculpture Classes, as well for our sculptors, as well as those who prefer a quiet space. The shelving is this room is designated for sculptor use, now including the wall that used to be designated for overflow. With all the additional shelving in other rooms, it is time for all other than sculpture projects to migrate out of this room. Please remove these items by 5 September to other areas of the studio for their drying time.
Handbuilding Room.
We have recognized that many members have preferred to work in the Sculpture Room because of good light and the new tables that allow room for legs (what a concept) when working seated. Now that we are asking you to leave that room, I have asked the Facilities Committee to find solutions to address the lighting and work table issue in the Handbuilding Room and make recommendations to the Board. We’ve worked for years in this room as is, please be patient while we address the issues to ensure our members’ needs are met. We heard you!
To those who use the wood forms the studio provides for ‘drop plates’ – please discontinue dropping these forms from waist high since it is causing them to separate and causes a lot of stress on the corners. All that is needed is dropping the form 12” – 18” from the floor.
Handling of Complaints. As a reminder, if you have a concern or complaint, please address it to the appropriate committee chair to resolve. Some of our members have tried to direct actions of those working to support us – we have a process to address these issues. Please use it.
Staff Time. As a reminder to those returning, the studio is closed to the membership on Monday mornings, but opens for members at noon. This is reserved for “staff” time for all the stuff that happens behind the scenes.
New Committee Chairs. Please thank Teresa Turocy, our new Social Committee Chair as well as Doug Davis, our new Raku Chair, for volunteering to fill these roles.
Newsletter Inputs. Ruth Clayton will be publishing a newsletter for October, so anyone with input, please send information to her at ruthmillclay@aol.com no later than 24 September.
Susan
Send questions or comments back to me by going to our website and
About -> Contact -> Click on Contact the President of the Studio
Lots of stuff to update you all on, so thought I’d send an eblast until our Newsletter starts back up. As the fall approaches and we look forward to welcoming our seasonal members back into the studio, our numbers in studio will likely grow. So here goes ….
COVID Protocols. There has been much discussion about mask wearing amidst the latest health concerns confronting our population. GVR policy has been changing frequently and is available on their website ( gvrec.org ) Current policy is:
8.26.21
GVR follows local ordinances regarding public health matters. There are currently no ordinances mandating masks. Members are encouraged to stay abreast of recommendations made by public health authorities and make choices according to their circumstances.
Read the most current Health Advisory from PCHD (Pima County Health Department) HERE.
Across the GVR campus, members may participate at their discretion, regardless of vaccination status or mask use. This applies to all activities that occur at a GVR facility: classes, socials, club activities, game groups, HOA events, lectures, etc.
The Clay Studio Board is keeping a close eye on the situation in Green Valley – I am happy to tell you I have not had a single reported case from a studio member, but I’m also not so naïve as to believe all cases are being reported, although it IS a condition of being a member of our studio.
Although we are considering requiring masks again in the studio, I am asking all members to do the following for now:
1. Continue collection and maintenance of contact tracing information.
2. Maintain a 6’ distance from other members you are not regularly in contact with. This means one person per worktable.
3. Disinfect or wash your hands regularly, especially before handling items available for public use (such as glaze jars, tools, molds, etc.).
4. If you are sick or have been exposed to anyone with a communicable illness, do not come into the studio.
5. If you have travelled outside the area, consider self-quarantine.
6. If you are not vaccinated, are concerned about your own exposure to others, or have travelled outside the area, wear a mask while in the studio.
7. Cover your nose and mouth if you sneeze or cough, then wash your hands.
If the public health situation continues to deteriorate, we will consider reinstituting more stringent activities, including signups for workstations, mask mandates, strict disinfecting protocols, etc. Remember, you may wear a mask if you are concerned about your health, even if there is not a mandate in place.
I am pleased to report that the Classroom (previous Fiesta Room) is now equipped and fully functional. With this addition, some changes in operation in the Studio overall are warranted, so please read the information below closely, as it may affect you.
Classroom. As a reminder, the priority of use for the Classroom is 1) Classes, 2) Meetings, 3) Workshops, and then overflow. Calendars with the schedule are posted on the Bulletin Board near the drinking fountain. Please check this schedule before working in this room. As a reminder, shelves in this room are designated for Classes and Workshop student use and overflow when all other shelves are full. If you have items in this room now that were not as a result of a workshop, please remove them to other drying areas. Additionally, we recognize the problem with lighting in this room and are working with GVR to improve this area. Give us time to fix this.
Storage Room behind Handbuilding Room. This room is designated for drying projects, is ready for use, and is a significant expansion just perfect for your Hand built projects. Please start using these shelves.
Sculpture Room. As has been our policy in the past, this is designated the “quiet room” and is used for all Sculpture Classes, as well for our sculptors, as well as those who prefer a quiet space. The shelving is this room is designated for sculptor use, now including the wall that used to be designated for overflow. With all the additional shelving in other rooms, it is time for all other than sculpture projects to migrate out of this room. Please remove these items by 5 September to other areas of the studio for their drying time.
Handbuilding Room.
We have recognized that many members have preferred to work in the Sculpture Room because of good light and the new tables that allow room for legs (what a concept) when working seated. Now that we are asking you to leave that room, I have asked the Facilities Committee to find solutions to address the lighting and work table issue in the Handbuilding Room and make recommendations to the Board. We’ve worked for years in this room as is, please be patient while we address the issues to ensure our members’ needs are met. We heard you!
To those who use the wood forms the studio provides for ‘drop plates’ – please discontinue dropping these forms from waist high since it is causing them to separate and causes a lot of stress on the corners. All that is needed is dropping the form 12” – 18” from the floor.
Handling of Complaints. As a reminder, if you have a concern or complaint, please address it to the appropriate committee chair to resolve. Some of our members have tried to direct actions of those working to support us – we have a process to address these issues. Please use it.
Staff Time. As a reminder to those returning, the studio is closed to the membership on Monday mornings, but opens for members at noon. This is reserved for “staff” time for all the stuff that happens behind the scenes.
New Committee Chairs. Please thank Teresa Turocy, our new Social Committee Chair as well as Doug Davis, our new Raku Chair, for volunteering to fill these roles.
Newsletter Inputs. Ruth Clayton will be publishing a newsletter for October, so anyone with input, please send information to her at ruthmillclay@aol.com no later than 24 September.
Susan
Pictures of "first class" in the new Clay Studio Classroom for our web-site. It's beautiful.
Photos from Jane Ercolani via Julie Jacques
Photos from Jane Ercolani via Julie Jacques
updated 8-29-2021- jdo