PNWS is a set of ideas and practices, promoting art and artists, a community of shared resources. It’s a nebulous presence held together by a core armature of online presentations and posts, Member connectivity, and art opportunities. We are both fluid and dedicated. In a new space each month, the studio tour/potluck is a consistent practice embodying a spirit of generosity, inclusion and curiosity. Some of these events have included hands on projects, like creating clay objects to be glaze fired at public festivals. 
Potluck May 25th 12:30pm at Russ Ford’s house with shop time available to make clay art pieces for a public firing at…
Troutdale Arts Fest (June 8 & 9) This is a Raku firing, a traditional Japanese technique with takes a red hot clay object out from a kiln and seals it in a smoldering chamber (typically a metal trash can with sawdust and paper) This method results in a dramatic set of colors and is like a performance itself.
This routine of making clay objects, then a week or two later performing a raku firing will also happen at
Vancouver Art and Music Festival (Aug 3&4)
and Art in the Pearl (Aug 31-Sept2)
Check with PNWS Board Vice President, Russ Ford for more details. <brussellford@gmail.com>
or follow this link to our website
It’s possible for PNWS Members to invite Non-PNWS Members to participate in the raku firings. Literally and metaphorically, raku firing is a crucible of transformation, Participants are hands-on with clay and glazes, making choices and seeing results almost immediately, through the alchemical drama of elemental substances fused at high heat.
As a material Clay has a tendency to become a vessel: a bowl, plate or mug, and this Summer, clay becomes container for the PNWS collective spirit, and a vehicle for delivering our experience to the public.
PNWS is an everchanging Membership with consistent characteristics, each of us curious, generous and fluid. We are a diversity of eccentrics that gather together, sharing food and technical knowledge and the wonder of material transformation. We welcome the convergence of fire and water, the steam’s everchanging outline, between sinking and swimming, learning to dance with chaos.
Spring is full of changes, from the ethereal to the concrete, through rain and shine. PNWS Members are learning to dance between group shows, like Shapes that Speak at the CAVE gallery, growing relationships with other arts organizations like the Oregon Potters Association, and the Maryhill museum. Our group is traveling, expanding and evolving. My hope is to be an ally to the chaos inherent in the practices of both art and community building.
+++Andy Kennedy President, Pacific Northwest Sculptors
Featured Pictures: Resin art by Marty Eichinger, Nathan Lacquaye RakuMaster, Joe Cartino and myself at Maryhill campground, Day 2 Breakfast crew, Sue Jones and Sue Qwast, Larry Nelson and myself managing pedestals borrowed by OPA