Q1 2026 Guild Meeting

MINUTES

El Paso Clay Guild

Sunday, February 1, 2026, 3:00 p.m.

Attendees:

David Beattie

Mike Bombach

Karmella Falcon – Karmellafalcon@gmail.com

Katie Gelinas – khaboda@hotmail.com

Sergio Gonzalez – sergioagonzalezg@gmail.com

Victor Antillon - victorhantillon18@hotmail.com @victor_a.pottery

Deborah Ray – kayray112015@gmail.com @deborahkayray

Ana Ruiz – anaruiz.design@gmail.com @nopalylana

Christy Goyer – lady.gusari@gmail.com @desertnixiepots

Polly Perez – starneko@protonmail.com

Agenda Item

Description and Follow-Up

Announcements

Falstaff Studio to become member-only residency space

All classes to be at Clayworks

David is looking to step down as president

Clay is getting big in El Paso, with increased enrollment and interest

Last Year Review (2025)

Three alternative firings: raku workshop, Sagger; unique opportunities

At least two times a year for bulk clay orders; last one in January 2026, from NM Clay with direct pallet shipping

Holiday Market went well, good feedback for future improvements

Charity Outreach: well-liked EP bowls for Empty Bowls in Las Cruces. Second Chance pet bowls were a hit. Open to community involvement suggestions and the creation of a committee to organize charity events.

New Business

Spring Sale at Aurelia’s at West Towne. Thanks, Mike, for arranging the location. 3-4 tables and canopies are available for use. Open to all guild members. Considering date: May 2 on a Saturday, 2-8 pm, before Mother’s Day (May 10).

Having trouble with Texas Non-profit status re-certification.

Sgraffito Workshop at Las Cruces Guild on April 25, by Karmella

Host charity bowls in EP. David asks for member participation to organize a committee. David will send emails with Google Docs forms to sign up.

Juried exhibition and workshop patterned after the Las Cruces guild event. Not sure if LC is having one this year. The EP International Museum of Art would be an excellent venue. Suggestions for jurors: Jared Petersen, MFA in Ceramics, and Mary Scott from EPCC ceramics.

Discussion

Quarterly meetings this year.

Workdays coordinated by committee.

Last Thursday rotation of artists, sign-up form – Deborah. Victor is open for June and July, and will have a sign-up form.

DB Studio is becoming a private studio.

Increase showcasing of 3D artists to promote ceramics and ceramic students' work. Validating and affirming for students and as a learning opportunity.

Throw Downs - considering March 7, Clayworks grand opening on a Saturday. Pottery prizes, tandem throwing, blindfolded throwing – come up with fun competitions and student demos.

EP Clay Festival for the Fall (maybe 2027) – could involve other EP clay studios, everyone could benefit, multiple locations, September-October. Possibly piggyback with other EP events like the EPMA biennial, EP street festival.

State grants may be available for programming support:

Texas Commission on the Arts - https://www.arts.texas.gov/

Huthsteiner Fine Arts Trust - https://fconline.foundationcenter.org/fdo-grantmaker-profile/?key=HUTH001

Texas Grant Watch: https://texas.grantwatch.com/cat/2/arts-and-culture-grants.html

The meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.

Next meeting: Sunday, April 12th @ 2:30 p.m. at Clayworks