About The SPG
The Sacramento Potter's Group (SPG) is comprised of clay and hot-glass artists in and around the capitol city of California.  Our award-winning artists produce original wheel-thrown or hand-sculpted artworks which are sold in stores, galleries, art shows, artist studios, and on the Internet.

Meetings

We meet the Second Wednesday in February, April and October at the Shepard Garden and Art Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, CA. and in June, August and December we meet at various Memberís Home.† † A variety of subjects are discussed at these informative meetings, from upcoming art shows to glazing techniques to tips on closing the sale.†† We either have pizza or bring our own dinner while we talk about everything clay.

Ceramics Shows
On Saturday, May 2, 2009, many SPG members will join other clay artists for the Annual Clay Fest, sponsored by the Lincoln Arts organization in Lincoln, California..  See pictures of previous shows.  See pictures of the Gladding-McBean Clay Foundry in Lincoln (thanks to Laura Kneppel).

On Saturday, June 27, 2009, the Sacramento Potters Group had their 2nd annual Pot Show at the Garden consisting of the best selections of clay, glass and metal art available at a single show in Sacramento. The show was held from 10 AM to 4 PM in the beautiful McKinley Park setting at the Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd. Sacramento, CA.  The Center is located right across the street from the tennis courts. Click HERE to see pictures of the 2009 show. 

On Saturday, January 10, 2009, the Sacramento Potters Group held its annual Seconds Sale. This is a very special sale of less than perfect pottery, glass and clay work at perfectly affordable prices!  Treat yourself to an after-holiday present as around two dozen artisans clear out their studios to start their year fresh. Hours are from 10 AM until 2 PM at the new location: Shepard Garden and Arts Center, 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95816, (right next to McKinley Park in beautiful East Sacramento).  It is highly recommended that you bring your check book and a large bag or pushcart to this FAST-PACED, hugely popular Seconds Show so you can more easily carry all of your wonderful purchases. Map

Newsletter
The bi-monthly newsletter sent to SPG members provides a wonderful resource that recaps SPG meetings, lists upcoming art competitions and shows, assists the buying and selling of clay-related equipment and goods, profiles our members, and reports on the art world in the Sacramento California area.  If you have items of interest for an upcoming newsletter (e.g., articles, book reviews, upcoming art shows, equipment for sale or purchase), please e-mail the Newsletter Editor.

Field Trips and Events Pictures
Periodically, the SPG hosts field trips to various clay-related establishments.  The SPG Events page contains pictures and member articles describing a 2003 trip to ceramics stores and galleries in Berkeley, as well as the 2003 maiden firing of a huge wood-fire kiln in Oroville, California. 

Clay Classes
A number of clay-related classes and resources are available in the local Sacramento, California, area.

Joining SPG
If adults are interested in joining the SPG, please completely fill out the membership application form and mail it and your check for $20 to PO Box 3435, Auburn, California, 95604.

2009 SPG Officers
President:          Connie Chadwick
Vice President:     Mary Classen
Secretary:          Laura Kneppel
Treasurer:          Mary Classen
Seconds Sale:      
Newsletter Editor:  Anita L. Lowe
Webmaster:          Kanika Marshall

History
The SPG began in June 1976 with current members John Reiger and Mary Classen being part of the original group.  The Groups' newsletter was called the "Sacramento Potters Newsletter" and in 1981 "Seconds" became the official publication of the SPG.

The first few years the group had show-and-tell meetings with various potters showing slides of their crafts ranging from stoneware to raku to fine art sculpture.  The original group was comprised of potters with two to 20 years of experience who taught at public high schools, junior colleges, other college levels, or were Studio Potters.  Their yearly income from pottery sales had to be from 10% to 100% of their individual total income to be members. 

The first annual Pot Show was held on Fathers Day weekend (June 17 & 18, 1977) at Country Club Plaza.  The purpose of the Pot Show was to provide Sacramento Area Potters with a faire that would offer a good sales opportunity, get to know other potters and their work, and also increase public knowledge of, and appreciation for, hand made pottery.  The Sacramento Potters Show continued for 21 years at the Country Club Plaza Mall with the last show being held in 1997.   

Thereafter, the Sacramento Potters Group established a "Seconds Sale" allowing Potters to start the new year with a clean studio devoid of their clay rejects and/or previous year's merchandise, in addition to making money at the beginning of the year.  The first Seconds Sale was held at the Shepards Garden and Art Center on January 12, 1984.  Since 1987, the SPG has held their Seconds Sale at the Sacramento Fine Arts Center in Carmichael.

All About Clay
For those who are interested in learning more about ceramics, this webpage provides a pictorial view of the creative process.
For membership or newsletter questions, click here.
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