Minnesota Porcelain Teachers
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Teachers Corner - June 2011

by President Bonnie Martinson
The Minnesota Porcelain Art Teachers at their June meeting decided to formally disband the group as it had existed for many years and will now meet as a new social group of longtime friends and lovers of porcelain art. Rose Wynne provided the leadership back in 1965, and it is with great sadness that the organization will no longer exist but the reality of health, age and current social changes is such that membership can no longer sustain the organization as it currently stands.
Over the years the teacher's organization has provided the leadership and sustainability to the art of china/porcelain art by their involvement in chairing the porcelain art shows, serving and providing leadership on Education committees, and demonstrating at shows and meetings. All this and teaching classes in their home studios to those interested in the art form.
Many of the teachers are still teaching classes in their home studios and are very willing to help and share information. If you are interested please feel free to contact them as they love to share their knowledge. The wealth of information and experience they have acquired over the years can only enhance the work of those who are still able and love to paint and work with porcelain.




My years in the Porcelain Art Teachers Organization
by Thelma Granquist, September 2011

September, 1972, I was accepted, as a teacher, into the Minnesota Porcelain Art
Teachers. It was a thrilling time in my life. Not only did I begin teaching students who were interested in the fine art of porcelain, but I traveled all over the country meeting well known teachers, which I read about in the IPAT or China Decorator Magazines.

I attended schools in California, Michigan, Arizona, Alabama, and shows in other parts of the country. MPAT also put on shows, fundraisers, and egg and ornament sales. This paints a wonderful picture of what my life developed into, due to the art of porcelain painting.

Unfortunately, June 2011, this organization disbanded and again my life changed. Rose Wynne had the idea of forming a teacher's organization in 1965. She also wanted an organization where teachers and students could get together and paint. This was started in 1969 and called MPAG, the Guild. We have many memorable years, and it is with sadness that I write this letter.

Charter Members in 1965 Rose Wynne - President Berdella Ayars - Program Chairman Emily Botten - Vice President Ebba Danielson Harriett Haukeli - Secretary Martha Johanson - Reporter Valerie Pagenkopf - Historian Ruth Schmitz - Treasurer Adelaide Tissing - Corresponding Secretary

Current Members at the time of disbanding, June 3rd, 2011 Donna Casey Jacquie Frogh Thelma Granquist - Treasurer and Historian Cathy Luedke Bonnie Martinson - President Sally Meyers Mary Ann Putzier Janaan Rasmusen Terrie Regan - Vice President Ione Roland Alane Wood Bonnie Zopfi - Secretary

Through the years, there have been many additional certified teachers including:

Frank Albrecht, Cathy Barker, Leta Clemons, Lisa Campbell, Sally Mudge, Pat Dahlager, Glorianne Michels, Bernice Elert, Geneve Reisdorph, Mary Jane Grandstrand, Louise Robinson, Julie Green, Ruth Schroeder, Becky Sigmond, Jerry Simertz, Kathleen Spilane, Mary Ellen Haggerty, Nancy Nicholson Williams, and many others.

This feels a little like the end of an era but also like the dawning of a new one.

 

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