About CAMEO ..........."for all to know the joy of clay"

CLAY IS A GIFT TO HUMAN BEINGS.  IT IS EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD, IS EASILY AVAILABLE AND AT ALL TIMES AND PLACES THROUGHOUT MILLENIA, HUMANS HAVE USED CLAY TO CREATE THINGS OF UTILITY, NECESSITY AND BEAUTY.  WHEN GIVEN A GIFT, ONE SHOULD USE IT AS HUMANS HAVE CLAY, A UNIFYING FACTOR IN HUMANITY.

In October 2004, in response to the many inquiries about pottery lessons, studio space rental, equipment rental, clay workshops and information about the clay medium, the Houston Potters Guild Shop, Inc. pursued a way to address this query that we had risen over twenty-five years in business.  We then began a journey to best address this issue. 

 

In October 2005, The Clay Arts Museum and Educational Organization became a reality with corporate status in Texas.  In March 2006, CAMEO received non-profit, 501.c.3 status from the Internal Revenue Service. 

 

Our next pursuit was to find a suitable location for CAMEO.  After two and a half years and much work, we found our first home that would house not only CAMEO but our loyal friend and current tenant, The Houston Potters Guild Shop, Inc. It is the best possible relationship for Houstonians to have a place where we can exhibit the products of skilled potters.  And CAMEO's most important purpose is to promote the appreciation of the clay medium, its process and value both aesthetic and therapuetic.

 

CAMEO's first event following our non-profit status was the first annual "Emerging Artists" exhibit in August 2006 a showing of clay art by area college and university students. In January 2007, we then held our first annual Texas Teapot Tournament, an international clay teapot competition.  Since then, we have had both of these events every year.  The Teapot Tournament every January; the Emerging Artist Exhibit, every August.  We have also had the Master Potters of America, an exhibit of America's best known and respected potters.

 

Membership in CAMEO is open to anyone 18 years of age or older.  Donations are greatly appreciated and fully deductible.

 

Benefits of CAMEO Membership are:

1.  Two entries in the Texas Teapot Tournament

2.  Discounts on workshops sponsored by CAMEO

3.  Participation in special pottery sales at CAMEO House - a place for the potter to sell their pots

4.  Eligibility to participate in our newest exhibit at CAMEO House - "Imagine Mud"

5.  Personal Invitation to Special Events and Openings

Ten days before Hurricane IKE hit the Houston area, CAMEO purchased 1701 Dunlavy St. now called CAMEO House.  There was tremendous destruction all across the Houston area but believe it or not, CAMEO House sustained only five shingles off our roof.  No broken windows, no flooding, no big branches off the beautiful live oaks in the front yard and......  the power was off for only three hours!  We didn't even board up the windows.  We must be living right.

"The Watergun" by Marisa Finos is the winner of the Elizabeth McBride Memorial Award for the 2010 Texas Teapot Tournament.  The head is the lid; the watergun is the spout; the chubby body is the teapot vessel.  Marisa is a clay artist from Coral Gables, Florida. 

 

Our juror this year was Cindi Strauss, Curator, Contemporary and Decorative Arts and Design, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

 

The publication in the background, "Tea in Texas" has been a sponsor of CAMEO's TTT since the beginning.  A big thank you to Lee Garcia for her support of our entity. 

Kilns for Sale

These kilns were donated to CAMEO.  We know nothing about their usage or how old they are.  We were told by the donor that they were working and in use at the time of their donation.

 

Kiln #1 - Duncan Studio Electronic.  DE 1020-2.  This kiln looks as if it has never been fired.  The computer is inside the kiln as is the instruction manual which is still inside its clear plastic sleeve

 

Kiln #2 - Paragon Studio high fire kiln with kiln sitter, P 10.  Octagonal shelves fit inside this kiln.  Inside looks good.

 

Kiln #3 - Maker unknown although looks like an old Paragon Kiln.  It is the most used although the brick interior is in good condition.  Some kiln furniture goes with it.  Kiln sitter LT - 4K.

 

We are currently investigating their fair market value but if you are interested, give us a call.  713-528-7687 or 281-303-0279.

 

 

"IMAGINE MUD"............Coming Soon

What is it about mud?  When we were kids we played in it, made mudpies, built dams across mudpuddles and ditches, walked through it and always it was fun.  Maybe not to our mothers but face it, folks..........they did it too when they were kids; and now our own kids and grandkids play in it just like we did.

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Well, for some of us, we still like the mud.  Potters, we're called by most but we sometimes refer to ourselves as mudders and we like that term.  It fits us.

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If you are a mudder and in want of a place to display your mud creations, become a member of CAMEO because we are starting a semi-annual exhibit entitled "IMAGINE MUD".  Every other year we will host an exhibit of CAMEO members' clay art, free and open to the public.  Some of the pieces might be for sale but sometimes it's difficult for us to part with our best work and that's what will be exhibited.

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This is not a juried exhibit.  It is open to beginners, intermediate, advanced and professional mudders.  CAMEO encourages all who want to experience the joy of clay to have a venue to showcase their work as it is an important step in the pursuit of this medium.

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Our first exhibit will be in the Spring of 2011 so get those creative juices flowing and for those of you who are not mudders, keep that time in mind to come by and take a look that you too 'will know the joy of clay'.