Travel Log

by Jim Bailey

Summertime is a great time to travel and we hope that if you are out and about in New York you will come to visit us in the beautiful Hudson Valley. We like to travel too and it is fun to mix travel with the opportunity to visit schools we do business with and our customers.

We recently returned from the National Council for the Education of Ceramic Arts (NCECA) conference. As we reflect on the events of this inspiring conference we thought we would share some of the standout moments with you.

The First Annual Event

When Anne was at NCECA in Portland this year she bought this beautiful mug from artist Ben Jordan. "I was immediately taken with the balance of form and function in this piece. The floral decoration is integrated extremely well with the form. The handle is comfortable and fits very nicely in the hand. The clay is a rich rust red and the glaze reminiscent of a sepia photograph. It has a perfect high pitch ring when you flick it. Even the bottom is decorated! Beyond these technical things, it's just an absolutely gorgeous piece of pottery; so well considered in each and every way. I had to have it and brought it back to Kingston with me to share with all of you. If you do not know of Ben Jordan now you do. Here is a short interview with Ben Jordan." -Anne Bailey at NCECA 2017

NCECA offers an exciting opportunity to see and hear what is going on in the ceramic field. Jim and I always enjoy seeing and being a sponsor of the K-12 Ceramic Exhibition which is an important part of NCECA every year. In its 20th year it has grown from a small show to one of national stature featuring work of students from across the country. In a time when we watch funding for the arts disappear it is reassuring to see that this show is thriving. The 2017 show was one of the best ever. Each successive year confirms that when good teachers and their students come together with the common goal of excellence in ceramic art, great things happen.

At the Museum of Art & Design in NYC

Opening Gala

A Studio Visit with the Artist

Anne and Jim Bailey visit the community and facilities of the Clay Art Center