I’ll be honest up front, this is a REALLY difficult article to write, because there are just SO many awesome people to know at NCECA, and I can’t even pick my favourites because they’re kind of ALL my favourites. First, if you haven’t already done so, read my previous article about the NCECA Name Badge, because it’s going to be a great help in saving yourself from an embarrasing moment. Then, make sure you know the presenters, you can find pictures of all of them on the NCECA presenter profile pages, or in the NCECA App Speakers section. Probably also a good idea to memorize the faces of the folks receiving awards and honors. And maybe review the NCECA board and staff article I wrote a while back. Of course, I also think you should know the NCECA Board candidates, and while you’re at it, vote! When you’re done with that, there are a few more people that you should probably recognize or know about. Mouse over the picture to see the names and a comment or two about them (Please note, this is FAR from a comprehensive list!) And PLEASE if you remember nothing else, remember these wonderful words of wisdom that Ben Carter said to me last year.
“Don’t be afraid to approach your clay heroes”
Frank Tucker, owner of Cone Art Kilns and Tucker’s Pottery Supply one of the most charming men at NCECA.
Marko Fields has been deeply involved with NCECA for many years, working in publications for a long time. He’s also the force behind the potter’s jam and has EXCELLENT taste in t-shirts
I love this picture of Peter Held with Don Reitz. Don will definitely be with us in spirit at this conference as he was at the last. Peter Held will be speaking about Don at the Past Masters session
Another absolute charmer is Standard Ceramics Patriarch, Jim Turnbull (right) appearing here with Standard’s technical support guru, Julie Hregdovic, and Lincoln, NE, High School teacher, Willie Sapp
Kathy King from Boston is the creator of the POW (Pots on Wheels) project
Dick Wehrs (l) has been managing the NCECA Cup Sale for longer than I can remember, Chris Stanley (r) heads up the AV crew
Lauren Skelly, out fabulous Rhody local who has been writing all the fabulous blog articles about Providence!
Adam Field, you may have heard of the hidenseekah game, which may be resting this year….stay tuned for more on that…..Adam is also a social media master and amazing maker of carved pottery
Karen Wise and Vijay Paniker of Shimpo with Richard Arnfield of Spectrum Glazes. Karen makes beautiful carved pots, Richard makes great glazes and, well, you’ll have to ask Vijay himself about what he makes….
!st & Second generation Dolans – Maureen and Bob started this little tool company over 20 years ago. The “sweetheart of the Resource Hall,” Susan Dolan, who has been coming to NCECA since she was about 12. This year, she is bringing her husband, Joe. Next year, perhaps her kids will come and work the Dolan Tool booth with her!
Guangzhen “Po” Zhou always brings a large contingent of Chinese potters to the conference. He has been amazingly supportive of our organization and helped to increase its diversity, Pictured with him are Linda Hughes from Bellingham, WA and Barbara Brown (she’s the person to go to if you’re looking for free stuff at the conference
Robert Harrison…one of the former presidents of NCECA and pioneer in Green Practices. Great guy
Rick McKinney, owner of MKM tools, you’ll find him in the Resource Hall. He’s always got a smile on his face and a story to tell.
Garth Clark… yep, he’ll be at the conference. Find him at the Past Masters session….
Linda Lighton and Anna Callouri-Holcombe know how to have a good time. Find them wherever the fun is!
Eva Kwong, a lovely lady that I have known of for years but haven’t officially met. THAT is getting rectifed this year!
Harris Deller and Marge Levy, – both members of the organization from the early days. Marge was a president and Harris served as Director-at-Large
Don’t let the picture scare you. This is Link aka “the Dirty Girl” from Kentucky Mudworks. She also manufactures Dirty Girls Tools and has some of the coolest shirts you’ll find at NCECA. And I am definitely not writing nice things because I’m scared of her rifle….
Mark Lueders is a hoot. Can’t you tell from this pic? Another person you’ll find in the Resource Hall
Susan Filley – Another insipiring woman and past president of NCECA. Susan was the first person outside of Academia to be president of the organization. Her work is absolutely beautiful, as is she!
Doug Casebeer (director of Anderson Ranch) Chris Gustin (local potter and wood-fire master) & Matt Long (maker of soda fired whisky flasks, jugs, shot glasses etc. my kind of guy. Also gives REALLY great hugs!)
Leonard & Allison Shurz come all the way from England to join the NCECA Collector’s tour!. Here they are with Cynthia Bringle, last year’s closing speaker and treasured potter
The lovely and talented Glenda Taylor….she served the board as a Director-At-Large, and then again as Secretary. She’s currently a special appointee to the board working on overseeing the 50th anniversary celebration projects
This is Steven Lee, he’s the director of the Bray. He does not live and teach in Arizona….
The K-12 Exhibition Crew – Leah Schlief-Freese, Glen Frick, Bob Feder, Nicole DuBrow, Nancy Ernst, Suzanne Conine (with photographer Glen Blakely in the middle)
Michael Kline – Sawdust & Dirt Blogger
Zack Giffin…another second generation NCECA kid, now all grown up and sorta famous. He’s one of the hosts of the popular Tiny House Nation show.
The “AMACANS” (aka, people who work at AMACO) In the front is Diana, she’s presenting! Behind her are the trio of trouble – Joe, Stephen & Kevin. AMACO always has something up their sleeves..in fact, one year, they HAD sleeves….that looked like tattoos. Lots of fun there. Be sure to ask Joe about his margarita mixer
Steve Branfman in mid sentence…that’s just about right. Steve is a Boston Area potter known for his Raku work and his passion for the K-12 Exhibition. His brother Gary is presenting this year!
Two of our amazing techie A/V Crew guys – Robert Moore & Les Laidlaw
This is Ben Carter, the guy from the quote up above AND a well-known podcaster. On his advice, I walked up to him and introduced at last year’s conference.
Richard Notkin received an NCECA Award last year, presented by Keith Williams, who is receiving an award this year!
Roberta Griffith travels from Hawaii to join the NCECA collectors tour. She is a beautiful giving lady who has so many wonderful stories and memories
Elaine Henry, a former president of the organization and the editor-in-chief of Ceramics Art & Perception and Ceramics: Technical
This is Sam Chung, a former Director-at-Large of NCECA and a professor at Arizona State. He is not the director of the Bray…
Jim Skutt (third generation of Skutt Kilns) & Danielle “the clay lady” McDanielle.
Robert & Paula Winokur were coming to NCECA before it WAS NCECA!
This is the guy that is usually BEHIND the camera, Glen Blakely. He’s been taking pics at NCECA for I don’t know HOW many years. I’ll bet he knows EVERYONE…
