[Clayart] sumi/transition

[mel jacobson]

sumi, i am very tolerant of art centers and junior colleges
being a transition from school, college to being a home or
studio potter.

what is happening all over the country is the folks that are
40-70 making the facility their studio, then going out and
selling pots.   often the tax payer is helping make that happen.

this is not a minnesota thing.

how does any potter make a dollar if the folks that are
selling down the street or at the art fair have no expenses
to make the pots?  i know they pay to fire, supplies, but that
is one tenth of what it costs me to support myself and my studio.
the additional taxes on my home because of my studio is more
'than any of them pay in a year.

what has it cost me in firing costs just to do that recent study
with mel6...plenty.  i have to pay those bills by making and selling
the work.

and, as an educator, is makes me sick that most of the people
using these facilites do not have a clue about clay, glaze, firing
or technique.  ceramics monthly is their text book.

but the most serious thing is.....the art centers are starting
to control the shows and art fairs.  guess who gets first pick?

i am a strong advocate for the many people that have done the
duty, studied, made the effort to be artists and potters with
multiple skills.  we have hundreds of people on this list who
have dedicated their lives to making great work at their own
expense and study.

i realize that i have said many times you cannot look to others
to make your business happen.  but, it is a very unfair advantage
if others are getting a free ride.

i just keep pounding this drum because i care so much about
people that study, make, do the research and make their own
work, with their own skill and brain.  that is what i support.
always have, always will.
mel
a great master craftsman will always push the student out the
door and make them swim on their own.  mr. uchida kicked my
butt out the door and said...`melsan, go and be a great potter.`
i have tried my entire life not to embaress him, or his memory.


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