Website and Technology Committee

Develop and maintain the architecture and functionality of the website
Interpret the AMCAW brand for the website and digital newsletters
Create new sections, pages, and blog posts on the website as needed, working with the communications and other committees
Execute digital newsletter setup and distribution

Member Engagement Committee

Develop a strategy to nurture existing members ensuring retention and encouraging every member to become an AMCAW promoter
Grow membership through the provision of new initiatives, consistent promotion, and community engagement
Promote member benefits in dynamic ways and through diverse channels to increase the profile of AMCAW
Engage with worldwide metal clay influencers to encourage and promote membership benefits
Seek opportunities for AMCAW to be represented through online channels
Engage with the wider artistic community at conferences and other events, including those focused on metal clay as well as those representing other mediums or disciplines

Guild Support Committee

Create resources to help new guilds get started
Develop meeting topics and other tools to help existing guilds prosper
Create and test a virtual guild concept
Identify and foster connections between members who are interested in being in a guild

Finance Committee

Develop annual budgets to reflect organizational priorities.
Develop accounting systems and practices to provide financial support and guidance to the organization.
Assist and the support the Executive Board during annual audits.
Prepare all financial documents included submissions to state and federal authorities.

Fundraising Committee

Foster relationships to secure corporate sponsorships
Develop strategies to encourage private donations
Identify and apply for grant funding
Create other opportunities to raise funds, such raffles or auctions
Solicit giveaways for prizes and conference goody bags

Education Committee

Curate existing available resources and present the information so it’s useful and relevant for beginner, intermediate and advanced audiences
Create new educational content for artists of all levels
Develop challenges to push the community to stretch and grow
Generate tutorials and other educational content to be shared via trade media partners under the AMCAW banner
Develop educational content for newsletters, blogs, etc
Curate and create business development resources to help metal clay artists be successful in the business of teaching and selling their work
Develop metal clay curriculum resources for high school and university programs

Curating for Excellence Committee

Develop printed high-end juried publications
Facilitate juried online showcases
Seek opportunities for juried gallery and museum exhibits
Provide judging for challenges
Identify opportunities to provide jurors for non-AMCAW exhibits or publications

Conference Committee

Plan and execute high quality AMCAW conferences on a recurring basis
Ensure that the conferences have an international scope
Possibly provide support to regional conferences

Communications Committee

Create and share content and moderate discussion on social media platforms
Develop digital newsletter content for members and non-members
Generate blog content
Pursue opportunities to promote AMCAW via PR and trade media
Provide editing support to the entire organization to ensure consistent voice in our messages
Provide graphic support to the entire organization to ensure consistent branding of our materials
Provide marketing communications and strategy support for initiatives across the entire organization to ensure consistent messaging and branding

Advanced Studies Committee

The mission of this Committee is to support and engage members of the world-wide metal clay community by developing and implementing practical, hands-on educational programs, welcoming makers of all skill levels and perspectives, and providing guidance as they pursue a higher level of personal excellence.

Lis-el Crowley Vision Award

2026 winner Paula McDowell

Paula McDowell, 2026 Lis-el Crowley Vision Award Honoree

Paula McDowell, our 2026 Lis-el Crowley Vision Award honoree, is known for her generosity, her dedication to learning, and her longtime commitment to helping others grow in the metal clay community.

Paula discovered silver metal clay in 1999 after a metalsmithing instructor pointed out a tiny advertisement in Lapidary Journal. Captivated by the ability to sculpt, texture, carve, and create forms that would be difficult through traditional metalsmithing methods, she quickly embraced the material and began exploring its creative possibilities. Her work draws inspiration from the textures, movement, and forms found in the natural world.

Over the past 25 years, Paula has become especially known for her work with steel metal clay, often combining it with bronze or silver to create striking contrasts in texture and color. Her work has been featured numerous times in AMCAW’s Exceptional Work in Metal Clay Calendars and accepted into the Superbly Sintered Exhibitions.

For more than two decades, Paula has shared her knowledge through workshops, demonstrations, tutorials, and presentations. She has taught artists of all skill levels through guilds, conferences, online events, and her own studio. She has presented at SINTER conferences, Metal Clay Live, and AMCAW virtual guild events, and has written tutorials for Metal Clay Today and AMCAW.

Paula’s contributions to the community extend far beyond teaching. In 2011, she founded L’esprit du Metal to promote metal clay and support artists in the Lafayette, Louisiana area. In 2017, alongside Lis-el Crowley and Wendy McManus, Paula co-founded the Alliance for Metal Clay Arts Worldwide, helping establish a worldwide community for metal clay artists.

An Accredited Teacher for Hadar’s Clay, Paula continues to expand her own skills through ongoing study with leading artists and instructors. Her curiosity, generosity, and commitment to community embody the qualities celebrated by the Lis-el Crowley Vision Award.

About Lis-el And the Award

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