AMCAW sat down with three retiring directors who were involved in the start of our organization and asked them to share some of their thoughts and memories. All were involved since 2018, when AMCAW was started by a handful of metal clay artists who had a vision for uniting and supporting the international metal clay community.
Julia Rai and Robert Dancik joined AMCAW’s first board of directors and took early leadership roles in the fall of 2018. Julia created the artist challenges, initiated the annual print publication of a calendar, created the Superbly Sintered exhibition, and most recently chaired SINTER24. Robert served on the Curating team, presented at both SINTER events, and is perhaps best known for creating the stunning museum-quality exhibition displays for Superbly Sintered, with each display tailored for the displayed item.
Also retiring is Martha Vaughan, who joined by the end of 2018 to lead the Marketing and Communications team. Here’s the advice they shared:
As an artist involved in multiple art communities, Robert encourages us to think big and think inclusively. “As has been spoken of numerous times over the years, I would like to see a bit more of an effort to reach out to other artists and try to include them in metal clay.
In tandem with this, I would truly like to see metal clay artists trying to learn more about traditional and non-traditional methods of working so that their work can expand in its expressive qualities.”
He also encourages artists to become involved with AMCAW to expand their connection in the community, but volunteer with purpose: “Choose with care the part of AMCAW you would most like to be connected with. Make sure it’s an area that you not only have some interest in but one where you will be able to commit the time and energy to follow through on your pledge of involvement.”
Julia says she’s often been asked about how she got where she is within the metal clay world. “I’ve had people say things like: it’s alright for you, you’re famous but how did you get to that point? I want to be where you are.”
“I’ve never thought of myself as anything but someone building my skills, passing them on to others, and taking every opportunity to show my work and enter my efforts into calls for images, competitions, publications etc. I started teaching metal clay around 2006 and initially taught in schools run by other people. I aspired to have my own school and established that in 2012.
“When people see someone who’s successful and well known with a large, published body of work, they seem to think that everything just landed in their lap because they are so talented! Take a look at some of the comments I got from the evaluators for things I submitted to the Masters Registry Programme, all of which are on my website. That’ll show you how ‘talented’ they thought I was at times!!
“So, how did I get where I am in the metal clay community? Hard graft and long hours in the studio, not worrying about ‘wasting’ clay by experimenting so that I could learn everything possible about it.
“I took classes on everything to do with metal clay and jewellery making, taking every opportunity to learn from those more experienced than me, entering every competition and challenge and asking people whose work I admired what they honestly thought of my work. I took note of what they said. I attended every conference or metal clay related event I could afford and sought out people I thought could help me progress.
“I approached magazines to see if they’d like me to write a tutorial for them before I was ‘good enough’. The worst thing that happened was they said no thank you, but some said yes please. Building relationships with people who publish things, create things, and do things I’m interested in. Keeping in touch with the teachers I admired and whose classes I’d taken. Supporting my students after they’ve done classes with me and following them on social media to encourage them.
“AMCAW is giving metal clay members regular chances to get their work and their names known in the metal clay community. The challenges come with a private evaluation of their work by people who know what they’re talking about. If you are a budding or new teacher or metal clay artist who wants to sell your work, you can volunteer to present at a virtual guild or write a tutorial, why wouldn’t you take those opportunities?
“Enter a piece of work in the calendar call for images, or the Superbly Sintered Exhibition. Enter something in the monthly calls for images in the Facebook members group. Engage with people in the metal clay groups on Facebook, build your own social media presence and post regularly. Show people what you’re doing and give encouragement to others to build their self-esteem. It’s much easier for the current metal clay newbies to be seen than it was when I started so you have every chance to make a name for yourself.
“If you want to be someone people in the metal clay community know, you have to put on your big girl panties and put yourself out there. Enter everything, comment on everything, volunteer for everything, show off your work at the drop of a hat.
“So, you did something and you weren’t successful? Ask them respectfully what you can do better next time so you have a greater chance of being successful. Treat rejection as a learning opportunity, not an excuse to hide under a stone and think you’re not good enough. That mindset only gets you thinking you’ll never be good enough and that’s just not true. Failure is a gift if you treat it as learning and establish why you didn’t quite get it right this time. Then tweak, change, adapt and try again.
“If you really want to be one of the metal clay superstars you’re currently admiring, you have to be brave and go for it. You have nothing to lose and someday, you might be ‘famous’ like me!”
Martha agreed with Julia, and wanted members to realize what wonderful benefits many are leaving untouched. “I just wish I could tell every single member to enter a challenge, or create something for the Superbly Sintered and other calls for entries, or (for instructors) create a tutorial! Not taking advantage of them is like leaving wrapped presents under your Christmas tree, unopened.
“We ALL suffer from the “I’m not good enough” or imposter syndrome. It took actually entering a call for entries for me to understand that THIS is how you grow and become better – creating something not because it’s a cute project you want to copy but creating your own concept for a challenge theme, to explore something new, or to test an idea.
“Almost every single challenge winner has been genuinely surprised to win; most artists submitting work for calendars or exhibitions didn’t think they really had a chance of getting selected. But they tried – and that step forward brought big rewards!
“I’m not talking about the prizes (although they’re pretty awesome). Now these brave artists have solid artistic credits from an established organization for their artist resume, which helps them get into tough juried shows, get considered for other exhibitions, and build their presence online. (Bonus tip: link to the AMCAW page which shows you as a winner, and you’ll benefit from AMCAW’s SEO by rising in the search engines!)
“Then there’s also the ka-ching factor: what customer wouldn’t want to own an original piece of art from an award-winning artist? And did you know people will generally pay more when they realize the artist is award-winning?
“It really, truly, honestly, genuinely pays off to take a leap of faith and enter something. What are you waiting for?! Pull out your metal clay and get going!”
