Yesterday was our first full day at NCECA. We started the day at 7:15 AM and finished around 8:00 PM. It was a very busy day but very exciting as well. In the morning we attended a wood firing workshop. Then we attended a simultaneous demonstration where two artists were on stage and worked on their own work and took turns talking about what they were doing. There were cameras from all angles so you could see everything they were doing. After that we went through exhibits of work by tons of current big names in the ceramics world. I've studied and/or looked to a lot of their work as inspiration over the last four years. Then Mitch and I had lunch with John and his friend from graduate school. In the afternoon we visited some of the many booths set up by non-profit art organizations and companies selling tools. We also attended a K-12 Exhibit and the Annual Cup Sale.
It was fascinating to see the work of other ceramic artists around the country and world. My main observation yesterday was that ALL kinds of people are at NCECA. There are high school students, undergrad and grad students, professors, resident artists, elementary through high school teachers, and people who are anywhere from in their 40s to 70s who have taken up ceramics as a hobby recently. Some people know a lot and some people know hardly anything at all. Its pretty cool to see so many people who share an interest in clay.
Last night, John, Mitch, John's friend David, and I went to a tapas restaurant in downtown Tampa. At a tapas restaurant you order lots of dishes that come in small amounts and everyone tries them all. We tried 8 different dishes and 4 desserts. Main courses ranged from calamari and crab cakes to stuffed peppers and salad. For dessert my favorite was the white chocolate tart with fresh fruit but they were all good.
We're headed to the convention center now for another full day!
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