MEDIA ALERT: EXCELLENT TV + PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
For MAY 9–10, 2014

WHERE:                    
The Clay Studio, 137 N. Second St. parking lot, unless otherwise noted                                  
For more information, call 215-925-3453 or visit theclaystudio.org

Celebrate The Clay Studio’s four decades as a leader in the field of ceramic arts and a cultural anchor for Old City Philadelphia. Fired Up at Forty, an epic 40-hour-long marathon of activity, includes exhibitions, pottery demonstrations, food and drink, fitness, family fun and much more.

KEY PHOTO + VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES:
MAY 9

Kick-Off Event: Raku Pottery Firing
Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. 
Civic leaders, artists, supporters and friends will come together to kick off the 40-hour celebration and watch a red-hot live demonstration of Raku firing, an ancient Japanese technique in which smoldering pottery is pulled from a flaming kiln.

Exhibition: Occupation 
Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. through Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. (gallery space)
A collaborative “endurance art project” featuring veterans-turned-ceramic artists Ehren Tool and Jesse Albrecht, on site throughout the anniversary celebration (including overnight), transforming hundreds of pounds of clay into hundreds of ceramic cups.

Youth event: Fun and Learning with Clay 
Friday, May 9, 10 a.m.-noon (studio space, 3rd floor)
To emphasize the important role arts education plays in the learning process, The Clay Studio will host students from E.M. Stanton School and Andrew Jackson School, who will create their own works of art with clay.

Food and Drink: Candy Coated Ice Cream Cocktails (gallery space)
Friday, May 9, 6-8 p.m.
Join Philadelphia-based artist Candy Coated for a cocktail hour filled with imaginative drinks made with her signature Little Baby’s Ice Cream flavor, Jazzmarnier.

Plus, on May 9, 8 a.m.-noon, The Guerrilla Mug Assault will send Clay Studiovolunteers to “mug” strangers on the street by asking them to trade in their to-go coffee cups for free handmade ceramic vessels. To shadow a Guerrilla Mug Assaulter, contact Carolyn Huckabay at 215-690-4065 or carolyn [at] canarypromo [dot] com (carolyn [at] canarypromo [dot] com).

KEY PHOTO + VIDEO OPPORTUNITIES:
MAY 10

Exhibition: Occupation 
Friday, May 9, 10 a.m. through Saturday, May 10, 6 p.m. (gallery space)
A collaborative “endurance art project” featuring veterans-turned-ceramic artists Ehren Tool and Jesse Albrecht, on site throughout the anniversary celebration (including overnight), transforming hundreds of pounds of clay into hundreds of ceramic cups.

Youth event: Instrument Making and Jam Sessions
Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Join guest artist Kevin Ramler for family workshops focused on making and playing clay instruments. Using basic hand-building techniques, participants can create flutes, rain sticks, maracas, drums and xylophones. Kids and parents also have the opportunity to play one of hundreds of clay instruments that Ramler has created.

Contest: Wheel Battles
Saturday, May 10, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Watch as our studio artists — and brave volunteers — go head-to-head in a variety of wacky competitions. Who can throw the largest pot in 7 minutes? Who can throw the largest vessel while blindfolded? New wheel battles will kick off each hour.

Food and Drink: Ice Cream Social and Bowl Decorating 
Saturday, May 10, 2-4 p.m.
Decorate a handmade clay bowl that will be fired and available for you to pick up at a later date. Reward yourself for your efforts with an ice cream sundae.

A full schedule of events can be found at canarypromo.com/pressrelease/the-clay-studio-fired-up-at-forty.