Polymer Clay Haven is pleased to announce Event 2001: A Clay Oddessey. This meeting of polymer clay enthusiasts will be held in Chicago, Illinois. The dates are set for June 26-30, 2001 and registration is going strong. We all had a great time last year in Louisville, and we expect this year's event to be even better!

The event will be held at the Holiday Inn at Rolling Meadows. This means that the amenities will be spectacular, including two swimming pools, workout rooms, an arcade, a volleyball court, several restaurants, and an onsite pub. Irene Coyer, the founder of Polymer Clay Haven, said, "After walking up and down the hills, and traversing walks to and from classes dragging heavy totes last year, we decided that it would be a good thing to go for a more cohesive and comfortable venue."

All classes, work areas, and scheduled activities will take place in one building. There will be no extensive walking or searching for facilities and classrooms. We tried to incorporate the suggestions from last year's attendees, and this location seemed like a perfect answer for those who might have difficulty walking long distances.

The lineup of instructors for this year includes some of the most gifted and well-known teachers in the medium, as well as many that represent the up-and-coming talents. A few of the instructors scheduled to hold classes are Karen Lewis, Marie Segal, Donna Kato, and Irene Semanchuk-Dean. Classes cover a wide range of subjects, all of interest to the artist, craftsperson, and hobbyist. I am quite excited to be teaching again at this year's event.

Something else that I am very pleased with is the "Kids and Clay" session that we are having. On Friday, June 29, from 9:00 a.m. to noon, several of the polymer clay artists will offer special lessons geared toward the young folk. Irene Coyer, Marie Segal, Kris Richards, Julie Wise, and I will be teaching kids how to make their own polymer clay creations.