CLAY IN EDUCATION

The OPA  "Clay in Education" program provides clay instruction by professional potters in the community, and includes clay making activities at Art and Maker Fair. We create a High School Gallery to exhibit some of the best student work at Ceramic Showcase and offer an annual  OPA Scholarship for high school students excelling at ceramics. We also financially support the  National Scholastic Art Awards in both central Oregon and the Portland Metro Area.

The artist residency program supports our member artists to teach in any public, private, parochial, school or non-profit community site. Residencies are a maximum of 40 hours per site and equally funded by the partnering school or community organization and OPA.  

Clay in Education provides 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.

Clay in Education funds these programs and scholarships from members dues, by accepting donations, and also with an annual fundraiser, The Installation,  held at Ceramic Showcase.

The 2019 Installation Theme is Pets and we will be creating pet bowls, for dogs, cats, and other potential objects for celebrating our life with animals.  We plan to have photographs of artists with their pets, stories or images that show ways we share space, emotions, love and life with our friends in the animal world.  Sign up now to host or help by making at a hands on workshop in your part of the OPA area.