Mission Clay Art

Dedicated to the collaboration of Art and Industry. Mission Clay Arts and Industry provides an unparalleled environment for the creative process and the development of new work and ideas. A program for artists to engage with the industrial ceramic fabrication process, we offer opportunities for reflection, dialogue, and exchange that build understa... nding and appreciation for the role of art in the world. Mission Clay Products began their art and industry program officially in 1979 at our Corona, California factory. Pittsburgh Pa. sculptor Jerry Caplan approached the company and asked if he could promote a Clay Pipe Workshop offering selected artists the opportunity to work with clay pipe extrusions. 15 ceramic artists spent a week in the summer of 79 pounding, carving and building with the pipe extrusions, culminating with Mission firing all the work (over a 5 month period) and celebrating on a chosen weekend when all work was picked up at the factory. This event would be the beginning of a wonderful journey that continues to this day. Clay Pipe Workshops moved their venue to Missions Fremont facility in Niles California in 1980 with artists from around the country reflecting their desires and skills to work on extruded forms, at times taller and heavier than the artist themselves. In 1985 the program evolved to introduce our Clay Pipe Symposiums, a three day weekend event that included guest artists, panel discussions, camping, food and live music in our 1907 wooden facility. Guest ceramists invited included Don Reitz, Tony Hepburn, Al Johnson, Judy Moonelis, Stephen DeStaebler, John Toki, Debra Horrell, Christine Federighi, Ron Nagle, Jerry Caplan, John and Susanne Stephenson and John Roloff, just to name a few. In 1992 Mission Clay invited Jun Kaneko to work on what is now known as the Fremont Project. Jun worked the better part of 2 years finishing and firing six - 11 foot dangos, eighteen 8 foot dangos and six 6 foot dangos. With the closing of the Fremont factory in 1994 the Mission Art and Industry ...Read More