"Progress & Possibilities" is an international exhibition sponsored by the National Polymer Clay Guild (NPCG)...and just the title alone conjures up grand ideas.  Great progress is being made to elevate the art of polymer, and the possibilities of the medium are ever changing, thanks to the many talented artists pushing boundaries in their studios every day.  The work of "polymer pioneers" as well as that of newer generations of artists appears in fine art galleries across the country.

My name is Barbara Fajardo, and as my tenth year of working with this incredible medium approaches, I look back at where I've been.  I've sold my work through retail shows and on-line for about seven years now, beginning with local Holiday craft shows in high school gyms and auction sites and now in national juried art and bead shows.

In the past few years, I've noticed that the questions about polymer clay have changed as much as the venues where our art is seen.   We used to hear "Oh, you mean Sculpey, the stuff that my kids play with?"  Now, people exclaim, "Wow, I didn't know you could do that with polymer clay! ".  And it is so true...from elegant and sophisticated to edgy and quirky, polymer clay applications are limited only by our imaginations.

I'm honored to be serving as chair for Progress & Possibilities 2008, and I hope that each of you will take that title to heart. Let's all aspire to continue changing the way people look at polymer art, and to think about the "how" and the "what could be".  Continue the progress...but remember to explore the possibilities along the way!

To facilitate those explorations, several key changes have been made to the exhibition this year.  Categories and jurors have been expanded to provide coverage and expertise in a variety of applications, and mixed-media pieces will be accepted as long as they are at least 50% polymer.  In addition, photo submission and jury fees will be processed on-line only through CAFÉ (Call for Entry) beginning August 1, 2008.  No mail-in submissions will be accepted. 

If you are an NPCG member and are interested in more information, please refer to this previously published article for details on the timeline, categories and juror bios.  If you have other questions, please do not hesitate to contact me .  I look forward to an exciting exhibition of polymer artistry with Progress & Possibilities 2008!

Photo: Progress & Possibilities 2007 Cover