NCECA 2012 Projects Space: On the Edge

ENTRY DEADLINE: Friday, November 4th, 2011 (midnight MDT) To be “On the Edge” is to be balancing yet changing, openly vulnerable and possibly ephemeral, about to plunge into a place that is undefined, unconventional and unexpected. “On the Edge” can be applied to virtually anything, from an impeding natural force to a chemical process, to a human emotion, memory, or condition. The dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the Pacific Northwest is a geographical manifestation of this concept and is at its most vigorous along the shores of Seattle and the Puget Sound-the site of NCECA’s 2012 Conference. “On the Edge” can also easily be applied to the medium of clay. Of all the materials that artists reach for, it can be argued that clay holds the most fundamental potential: able to immediately respond to the force of a touch, constantly changing and moving on to the next edge of expression. For the 2012 Projects Space in Seattle, artists are invited to consider the possibilities that lie within the medium of clay and submit works that consider the concept of “On the Edge.” Now in it’s third year, NCECA’s Projects Space is a platform for ceramic artists to present works that embrace the medium not as an end, but as a means of embracing the material as a physical metaphor, allowing it to communicate beyond the expected. Jurors Linda Ganstrom, Marianne McGrath, and Jeffry Mitchell are looking for submissions that not only actively embrace the concept of “On the Edge” using the medium of clay as a central focus, but also engage their materials, processes, and audience in unique and unconventional ways. Artists should keep in mind that the Projects Space Exhibition lies in the Central Hall at the heart of the NCECA Conference, and works are meant to grow and change throughout the duration of the conference. Five juried and invited artists will be assigned a 10’ x 19’ raw space in the Central Hall of the Seattle Convention Center to create their works during the week of the 2012 NCECA Conference. Artists will have from 9am to 4:30pm Tuesday, March 27th to install their materials and begin their piece. The artists will be featured guests at a reception Tuesday evening. Artists will continue to interact with their materials and piece throughout the conference ending Friday, March 30th at 5pm. Artists will de-install and clean their spaces from 5-9pm that evening.

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Mugs for Jugs @ Mudfire

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation is the only breast cancer organization to earn the highest rating from both non-profit watchdogs Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy. Over 90% of their budget goes directly to research & awareness programs. We are proud to support their efforts and hopeful about meeting the goal of achieving prevention and a cure for breast cancer in our lifetime. Mugs for Jugs is a national invitational exhibit, with over 50 artists accepting our call to join arms in the battle against breast cancer. We are overwhelmed by the enthusiastic support of our artist friends from around the country. MudFire instructor Emily Downey conceived the event and is a key part of the effort to realize it. The show will present the largest and most significant collection of clay artists in a single exhibit in Atlanta this year. Each artist has chosen their contribution level to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation, with MudFire matching their contribution. On average, over 40% of each sale will be donated. We are still adding to the roster of participating artists, which currently includes: Autumn Higgins, Beau Raymond, Becky Strickland, Brooke Noble, Chandra DeBuse, Debra Fritts, Dow Redcorn, Emily Downey, Emily Reason, Erik Haagensen, Gay Smith, Jennifer Graff, Jeremy Randall, John Britt, John Roberts, Joy Tanner, Julia Galloway, Julie Wiggins, Justin Rothshank, Kathy King, Kathy Phelps, Keith Phillips, Kristen Kieffer, Kyle Carpenter, Lana Wilson, Leah Leitson, Linda McFarling, Lisa Orr, Lora Rust, Lori Buff, Luba Sharapan, Maria Andrade Troya, Mark Issenberg, Mark Knott, Mary Briggs, Megan Daloz, Mike Yarnold, Niel Hora, Ron Philbeck, Ronan Peterson, Sarah Anne Marraffino, Shadow May, Stacey Stanhope, Vernon Smith, and William Baker.

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