NCECA 2003 will give artists and potters a chance to explore the new artistic ground being created by the blending of international borders and cultures.

Boundaries between disciplines in art have softened under the scrutiny and invention of 20th and 21st century practices, and dividing lines between countries and cultures have begun to fade with accelerating communications, cultural and economic trade. Cultural uniqueness is diluted, even as it is celebrated, and new art grows from the assimilation of once foreign forms and distant neighbors. NCECA 2003, which will be held at the Town & Country Resort and Convention Center in San Diego, Calif., March 11-15, will provide an opportunity to examine the way differences in art and location, contemporary expressions and ancient images are distinguished, and to explore the new artistic ground being tread on these “Borders in Flux.”

The program will officially open on Wednesday, March 12, with shuttles to the NCECA 2003 Clay National Exhibition and the NCECA Regional Student Juried Exhibition, as well as other local exhibits. A manufacturers’/suppliers’ and non-profit exhibition featuring more than 70 companies will also open Wednesday morning at the Town & Country Convention Center, giving NCECA visitors a chance to explore a wide range of forming, decorating and firing solutions.

A number of informative talks will also be presented at the conference. Keynote speaker Robert Irwin, an artist and writer, will discuss the “Nature of Abstractions” at the opening ceremonies Wednesday evening. Over the next two days, nearly 20 lectures will explore a range of art- and production-related topics, including, “Design, Modelmaking & Moldmaking…Skills for Developing Shapes for Ceramic Production,” by Dan Mehlman; “Selling for What You’re Worth!” by Lisa Rankin and Michael Lutzmann; and “The New Majolica: Traditions and Innovations,” by Matthias Ostermann.

A series of panel discussions held on Thursday and Friday, March 13-14, will expose attendees to a broad range of views on a variety of topics, including “Finding One’s Own Voice: Assimilating the Japanese Experience,” discussed by Paul Chaleff, Randy Johnston and John Neely and moderated by Jeff Shapiro; “Beyond the Embargo: Cuba Collaborations,” discussed by Catherine Merrill, Joel Bennett and Antonio Lewis Belgrove and moderated by Idie Adams; and “India and Ceramics,” discussed by Jane Perryman, Ray Meeker and Deborah Smith and moderated by Gerry Williams.

As in previous NCECA conferences, a silent auction will be held to benefit the NCECA Endowment. The pieces will be on view and bidding will begin on Wednesday from noon to 5 p.m. The winning bids will be posted on Friday at the close of bidding. Attendees will also have a chance to contribute to the Regina Brown Undergraduate Student Fellowship by donating and/or buying cups for the 11th Annual Fellowship Fund Cup Sale. The cups will be exhibited on Thursday, March 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will be sold on Friday, March 14, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Other events held during the conference will include a graduate students’ slide forum, an international slide forum, video screenings and art/pottery demonstrations.

For more information:

For more information about NCECA 2003, contact NCECA at Dept. C, P.O. Box 777, Erie, CO 80516-0777; (303) 828-2811 or (866) 266-2322 (toll free); fax (303) 828-0911; or visit http://www.nceca.net.