New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists upcoming events

Bill Armstrong Grant Registration 2026 (17 Feb 2026)

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:00:00 GMT

registration for:

Bill Armstrong Grant for Education in the Ceramic Arts

Proposal Deadline: August 31, 2026

Funds to be released Fall 2026

There is no cost to apply.

See stories of previous grant awards on our website

This registration is to signal intent to apply for the annual grant program for education in the ceramics arts. Register here online and then send supporting documentation via email or mail.

The Armstrong Grant was established in memory of our late distinguished member, Bill Armstrong. Bill was instrumental in teaching many people about pottery and was always interesting in experimenting, learning more, and helping others.

In this spirit, NMPCA gives an annual grant to assist with a ceramics education program or a ceramic art project.

The annual award is up to $1000, to be determined by the Board, based upon individual needs. Proposals for lesser amounts would also be welcome for consideration.

Use of funds: Funds may be used for purchasing supplies or equipment, contracting with a visiting artist, marketing/publicizing a special program or project or other activities directly related to ceramic art education.

Eligibility: 501(c)3 organizations and educational institutions located in New Mexico are eligible to apply.

Procedure:

1. Fill in this grant registration with name, address, phone, email and brief description of the project.

2. Provide additional support documentation via email or paper mail. Support documentation should include:

Applicant’s name, address, phone, email
A description of the project or program, including dates, location, budget, etc.
A description of who will benefit from this project/program and what are the anticipated outcomes.
A description of the organization applying for the grant
Specify exactly how the funds will be used and, if the cost is more than requested, identify the other funding sources
Provide a simple income/expense statement for the project/program
Copy of IRS designation letter (if applicant is 501(c)3 organization)

After the grant is awarded, the recipient organization is expected to

Provide documentation to show funds were used as described in the proposal
Provide pictures for website and publicity purposes
Give funding credit to NMPCA in newsletter, press release, website or other forms of communication.

Deadline: Applications for the 2025 Armstrong Grant will be accepted through August 31, 2025 for an award in the Fall of 2025.

Proposals should be mailed to:

NMPCA

Atten: Armstrong Grant
PO Box 26811
Albuquerque, NM 87125

To send proposal by email:

attn: Armstrong Grant

grant12@nmpotters.org

Gallery Talk - Kitchen, Village, Planet. Deep Functionality in Oaxacan Pottery (23 May 2026)

Sat, 23 May 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Gallery Talk By Eric Mindling

Location: Living Threads

1610 Lena St D, Santa Fe, NM 87505

May 23, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM

Cost $25.50

Only 30 Spots available

Reserve early

The goals of the New Mexico Potters and Clay Artists are to promote excellence and creativity in the clay arts, and to further their understanding and appreciation throughout New Mexico.

Description: Author and lecturer, Eric Mindling, spent two decades working with the traditional, indigenous potters of Oaxaca, Mexico. In this talk he shares stories and insights about what he learned in that time of deep immersion. Subtle and silent teachings; absorbed, not spoken, ways of being and doing that have evolved in the potters' hand's over four thousand years of practice. That practice is not only the work of turning clay into a usable vessel, but also the practice of crafting life into its best expression as part of the way one makes their living. In this time-gathered knowing lays the deep functionality and the invisible teachings of the old time potters of Oaxaca.

Fine art documentary photographer, author and entrepreneur, Eric Mindlinghas written two books that share insights into traditional knowledge; Fire and Clay, The Art of Oaxacan Pottery and Oaxaca Stories in Cloth. He co-created the first ever traveling exhibition focused on the potters of indigenous Mexico. Eric lives in Santa Fe, is co-owner of Living Threads Studio and board member of the International Folk Art Market.

Please note, this gallery talk is the inaugural event for NMPCA’s new Interactive Initiative Project. Sign up to support this new venture!

V-Camps 2026: Pot Hollow Setup at Ghost Ranch (31 May 2026)

Sun, 31 May 2026 19:00:00 GMT

Volunteer Camp at Ghost Ranch Pot Hollow

Sunday, May 31 – Tuesday, June 2, 2026

It’s the season of annual Volunteer Camp for Ghost Ranch’s clay studio – since 2008, end of May has been the time we traditionally gather to help.

We have held 4 work weekends since August 2025 to help Ghost Ranch with new studio, Pot Hollow. Now, ahead of Summer 2026 seminars -- NMPCA volunteers will help out again, by rebuilding Fume kiln, setting up Gas and Rau kilns, and much more. and welcome you to sign up to be on the team.

Needed: Paver Layers, Gas Kiln Experience, Stucco Mixer-Trowelers

Tools like trowels, wheel barrow for mixing stucco, wire mesh cutters, both work & rubber gloves (label with names), rubber mallets, crow bars will be needed.

These weekend dates will have lodging and meals provided by the Ranch, in communal rooms at Corral Block, with communal bath facilities, or in the campground. Use "Questions" area to indicate you will camp.

Because numbers are small, please sign up early if you wish to join.

Remember, these are work times and we commit to the jobs we are undertaking, so it is not a time to bring family members along if they aren’t pitching in for the full weekend. If a family member can't work, they need to pay fees and reserve their own campsite in campground.

Register:

Sunday, May 31st 10 am - Tuesday, June 2nd 4 pm - - 12 people maximum. Communal room with communal bath or camping options.

PLEASE NOTE**

If you will camp, please write "CAMPING" in the Questions box.

Didn’t get to register? Join the waitlist. One will be held for this Sunday-Tuesday work camp. People do need to cancel.

More info will be emailed to those registered ASAP.

Thank you!

2026 NMPCA Workshop: Ralph Scala (21 Aug 2026)

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 19:00:00 GMT

2026 NMPCA Workshop at Ghost Ranch

Building Courage in Content and Craft

Workshop Presenter:

Ralph Scala

August 21-23, 2026

Workshop Description:

Surrounding the core ideas of making art objects, this workshop investigates gathering local materials, handbuilding techniques that can be incorporated into larger works, while focusing on small/medium figurative and abstract sculptures, multiple firing and reglazing techniques and taking risk in your artistic practice.

The goal is to begin a new conversation within each participant’s practice, and to consider in conjunction the concepts of content, craft, and courage in their work.

A ∆ 2/3 cooling-reduction in a gas kiln will be fired with gathered local clays and processed materials.

Starting with high-vitrification point wares, the reglazing process at midrange to low-fire begins. In this reglazing process, participants experiment with custom glaze combinations and alter manufactured glazes to create their own palette.

Alongside object-making, participants will draw to scale and take photos of work being produced, printing them out on paper to encourage ideas for glaze/slip compositions.

Media & Techniques to be covered:

removable metal armatures, glazes, slips, terra sigillata, china paints, lusters, gas reduction firing, and water erosion

Processes to be explored:

Local clay processing (breadth of use in practice). Clay body inclusions and additives.

Multiple-firing techniques. Glaze inclusions. Drawing to scale alongside working on sculptures.

Washing away/eroding material surfaces. Electric and gas firing.

Students will bring work already fired to temp ∆6 or ∆10, bisque ware, and found materials to process. Workshop participants will make small sculptures, glaze on fired work, process clay, and experiment.

Schedule

Fri. 21

1:00 - 3:00 Arrival and Check-in

3:00 - Welcome, Introduction / 2-Hour Workshop

5:30 - Dinner

6:30 - Evening Workshop / Social Hour

Sat. 22

7:30 - Breakfast

8:30 - 3 1/2-Hour Workshop

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - 4 Hours Workshop

5:30 - Dinner

6:30 - Evening Workshop / Social Hour

Sun. 23

7:30 - Breakfast

8:30 - 3 1/2-Hour Workshop

12:00 - Lunch

1:00 - 1 hour Workshop

2:00 - Wrap-up, Studio Clean-up

3:00 - Goodbyes

Registration Costs:

Workshop registration for NMPCA members: $250*

Workshop registration for Non-members: $325*

*Payment is through our secure online payment system. (Workshop registration does not include cost of accommodations and meals. Accommodation and meals are selected at additional cost at registration.)

Accommodations:

There are several choices for accommodations at the Ranch, which we recommend, as this gives you full immersion in the Ghost Ranch experience and maximizes time for workshops and socializing.

Below are the accommodation and meal choices, with related costs for the 2026 workshop. NMPCA collects all fees, then pays the fees for accommodations and meals to Ghost Ranch.

Room with Private Bath - one queen bed, single or double occupancy - $215/night x 2 nights = $430.

Suite: 2 Rooms with Shared Bath ** - one queen and 2 twin - both rooms together: $350/night x 2 nights = $700. ** Must be booked as a pair of rooms and could accommodate up to 4 individuals. (List adjoining room's guest(s) as roommate(s).

Room with Community Bath - 2 twin beds, single or double occupancy - $120/night x 2 nights = $240.

Tent Camping Site without Electrical - $35/night x 2 = $70

Tent Camping Site with Electrical - $40/night x 2 = $80

RV Site with Full Hookup - $45/night x 2 = $90

You can also choose to stay off-site at one of the many inns/ AirBNB choices in the area. If you stay off-site, please make your own accommodation arrangements.

Roommates:

Ghost Ranch charges for the room, regardless of how many occupants, so if you plan to share the accommodation costs with a roommate you must indicate this on the registration

Spouses/Guests:

Workshop participants are welcome to be accompanied by a spouse or guest. A spouse or guest not participating in the workshop will not pay the workshop fee. They will nevertheless need to be listed on the registration as a roommate and be provided with a meal plan via the registration if meals are desired.

Ghost Ranch Meals:

The Ghost Ranch Dining Hall serves Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner cafeteria style. The whole-workshop Meal Package = $91.50, and must be purchased at registration. Meal package includes Friday dinner, Saturday 3 meals and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch. If preferred, individual meals at $15.25/meal for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner should be purchased at registration as well. If you require specific food restrictions, please let us know at least 3 weeks prior to the workshop.

Ghost Ranch Info:

For additional information about Ghost Ranch accommodations and meal service, what to expect at the ranch, as well as information about alternatives to staying on the Ranch, please visit our Ghost Ranch information page.

At the time of open registration, there are no current travel restrictions in NM. Read current NM health alerts here.

Additional Workshop Info:

Workshop registration deadline is: July 10, 2026. Registration is on a first come first serve basis. Once the workshop is full, a waitlist will be developed and that also will be on a first come first serve basis as spots open up.

Check-in period is 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The workshop starts at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, and ends at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 23. Please plan to arrive at Ghost Ranch by 3:00pm Friday to allow time to check in at Welcome Center, find your room, and gather at Pot Hollow Studio.

If your plans change and force you to withdraw from the workshop, let us know as soon as possible.

Click here to see our refund policy: Refund Policy