CLAY IN EDUCATION

The OPA Clay in Education program helps facilitate a variety of ceramic educational experiences throughout the state.

We provide clay making activities at Ceramic Showcase, OMSI  Mini Maker Faire, and Art in the Pearl. This outreach into the community invites people of all ages to experience hands-on the intimate responsive nature of clay, and the remarkable way head, hands and heart can work together in the creative process. We thank Georgies Art Supply for providing the clay for these outreach efforts.

Our Artist Residency program provides financial support to fund our member artists in teaching in public, private, or parochial schools and non-profit community sites. Residencies are a maximum of 40 hours per site, equally funded by the partnering group and OPA.

We present a High School gallery at Ceramic Showcase that highlights fine work by high schoolers from throughout the state. First, second and third place awards are given as voted by our membership. We also offer an annual scholarship for a talented high school student to continue their ceramic studies and we contribute to the National Scholastic Art Awards in both Central Oregon and the Portland Metro area.

Clay in Education funds these programs through members’ dues, donations and an annual installation at Ceramic Showcase. The 2020 theme is “Plant a Little Love”. Members will create and donate planters of all types and sizes that will be for sale May 1^st -3^rd at the Oregon Convention Center.