Jeff Shapiro will be one of the featured artists at the Potter’s Council upcoming summer conference.

According to the announcement, the conference “focuses on alternative firing methods, including raku, saggar, pit and salt. Island Clay provides you with a hands-on experience in preparing, loading and firing as shown by five of the most engaging and influential artists and teachers from around the Long Island region: Denis Licul, Hugh McElroy, Mena Romano, Jeff Shapiro, and Bill Shillalies.

In addition to firing methods, you’ll also learn about throwing, handbuilding and glazing techniques, and how each forming method affects your firing results.”

Further information on the conference and events are available on their website.

Part of a continuing program: The ceramic surface is often an unknown entity, much like the blue plate special at your local diner. Sometimes developed in the clay it self, surface design and consideration can occur at several stages from wet to leather hard to bone dry. Other times the surface is applied after the form is established with slips and under glazes or eventually with glaze. Even the kiln and the firing process interjects itself upon the clay surface, leaving marks or transforming the surface in wonderful and mysterious ways.

To learn more about the ceramic surface attend the Southern Fried Ceramics Symposium at Francis Marion University in Florence, SC July 27-29th.

Warren Mackenzie is one of the master potters who will be present at the International Ceramics Symposium to be held at The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville CT from May 12-14, 2006. The potters will “share their expertise, show their work and swap ideas in a weekend-long conference called Clay: The Art of Earth and Fire.” Information on the participants and the schedule can be found on the Hotchkiss website.

The ceramics exhibit will be on display in the Tremaine Gallery from May 5 through June 18, 2006.

There will also be ceramics shows at the other Lakeville galleries, Argazzi Art, Morgan Lehman Gallery and The White Gallery.