Welcome to the Metropolitan Detroit Polymer Art Guild. Celebrating Our 30th Year as a Guild 1993 – 2023!

Interested in Our Guild? Come to One of Our Meetings!

Learn and Share a Common Interest…Polymer Clay

So many opportunities to learn! From intensive 1 or 2 day classes from a famous visiting artist to short meeting demos, to observing fellow member’s work at a Clay Day there are many opportunities to learn, share and grow.

Have Fun! Retreat – The Event
of the Year

A Weekend Like No Other! Here we gather for a long weekend of uninterrupted claying, away from our everyday lives, televisions and other daily distractions. Explore new ideas, gather inspiration, make new friends.

Reach Out to Others

Bottles of Hope for Gilda’s Club, Beads of Courage, Hearts for Heroes. Many of our members reach out to the community. We strive to raise awareness of polymer clay as an art form, provide a forum to exchange ideas and inspiration, and provide education through classes and demonstrations.

About MDPAG… History of the Guild

The Metropolitan Detroit Polymer Art Guild began in 1993 by a small group of polymer clay artists under the direction of Marie Johannes. Thirty years later, our group has grown to over 50, with members from not only the metro Detroit Area, but from all over Michigan, as well as several from out-of-state.

We are an enthusiastic group of clayers, ranging from the beginner to the seasoned veteran. Besides polymer clay, our members are diverse in their skills and interests, including doll making, jewelry, sculpting, book making, painting, stamping and mixed media. Together, all this talent creates a rich and exciting setting to cultivate and spark creativity!

Some of our membership have taught workshops all over the country, written articles for craft magazines, and many have their work featured in polymer and other craft books. And from the beginning, our annual retreat has attracted clayers from all parts of the country.

We would love to have you join us at our meetings and become an active member of our guild. We are always interested in meeting other clayers and making new friends. See you there!

MDPAG Calendar

All of MDPAG’s events are listed here! Check this calendar often, something is always going on.

Monthly Saturday Meetings

Members usually arrive around 10 am, meetings start at 11 am, with a Clay Day to follow.

Saturday, March 16
Saturday, April 27 — At RETREAT!
Saturday, May 18
Saturday, June 15

Retreat 2024 — Our 28th!
April 25-28, 2024

Scroll down to learn more!

MDPAG Membership Perks

Yearly Membership Dues

$35.00 Local/$20 Long Distance Member per year January 1, 2024 to December 31, 2024
It’s very easy to join online, just click the button below.

Join MDPAG!

Definition: Membership in good standing

Monthly Meetings

Saturday Meetings! – MDPAG meets on the third Saturday of the month (there are occasionally some exceptions, always check the schedule) for a combined meeting and Clay Day. Meetings are held at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Livonia, MI. Meetings start at 10:00 am, but there’s time to mingle, see what your old friends have been up to and make a few new ones too. Plan on making a day of it, stick around for the Clay Day afterward!

Members are encouraged to bring in their clay projects to ‘show & tell’, as well as share information about techniques, new books, magazine articles, as well as products and tools! On occasion, our members do demonstrations, if time permits. Come in early and check out our extensive, and ever growing library of polymer clay books and videos.

We hope you stop by!

Our meetings and Clay Day location:
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
39020 5 Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154
Get Directions

Workshops with Nationally Recognized Polymer Clay Artists

MDPAG has a long history of sponsoring educational opportunities for our members.
Some of our past instructors and/or retreat guest artists include:

Kathleen Amt
Judy Belcher
Kathy Bingaman *
Carol Blackburn
Leslie Blackford
Kim Cavender
City Zen Cane (Steven Ford and David Forlano)
Jean Comport *
Grant Diffendaffer
Dayle Doroshow
Marla Frankenberg
Christi Friesen
Lynda Gilcher *
Linda Goff
Donna Greenberg
Dorothy Greynolds *
Deb Hart
Lindly Haunani
Debbie Jackson

Victoria “Tory” Hughes
Doreen Kassel
Donna Kato
Karen Lewis (Klew)
Maggie Maggio
Claire Maunsell
Layl McDill
Barbara McGuire
Jan Montarsi
Carissa Nichols
Julie Picarello
Kris Richards *
Nan Roche
Marie Segal
Sarah Shriver
Lynda Struble *
Pier Voulkos
Melanie West
Karen Williams *

* Indicates MDPAG member instructors

We usually bring in one or two nationally recognized polymer clay instructors each year. In addition, we offer ‘Members Only’ classes taught by our own talented members.

Another perk of being a member in good standing is the opportunity to take a class through our Trina’s Way Program. This program, established in 2007 is in memory of Trina Kern, a longtime guild member and past President of MDPAG. Read more about Trina’s Way here.

We are always seeking new and fresh approaches to polymer clay and welcome class proposals from polymer clay instructors.

To learn more, contact our Education Coordinator Susan Kaplan.

Annual Polymer Clay RETREAT

Every Spring, MDPAG holds a 4-day clay fest at the Columbiere Center in Clarkston, Michigan. Here we gather for a long weekend of uninterrupted claying, away from our normal routine and other daily distractions. Meals are prepared and served cafeteria style, so no dishes to do either!

MDPAG Retreat is a wonderful chance to explore new ideas and gather inspiration as well as create lasting friendships with other clayers from near and far. There are demos with the featured Guest Artist, as well as our own skilled members, sharing their techniques and years of experience. Our Board puts together fabulous Goodie Bags for everyone, often with new products to try. If you love polymer clay art like we do, our Silent Auction is a great place to add to your collection. All in all, in it’s an experience like no other.

Get Involved in Outreach

Although MDPAG members like to have fun and exchange claying information at our meetings, at clay days, and at Retreat, we also share a concern for our communities. Most of our meetings are conducted in the metro Detroit area, but our members come from far and wide – from Michigan and beyond. We are establishing a formal Outreach arm of the guild to help “spread the word” about polymer clay among the uninitiated. Spreading the word is even better when we can help others in the process.

In the past we have done such things as creating themed polymer decorations for holiday trees to be auctioned to benefit Children’s Hospital and making Bottles of Hope to help provide some emotional support to people who have cancer. Future outreach activities include displaying our art in public venues such as libraries, hospitals, and citizens’ clubs. And, if you have a location that could use a polymer clay exhibit, please contact Outreach Chair Kathie Harroun or any Board Member.

Clay Days

After every Saturday meeting we stay for a Clay Day. It’s a great opportunity for members to learn and share with other guild members. Clay Days after 1:00 pm are open to the public.

Clay Days are usually held at:

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
39020 5 Mile Rd.
Livonia, MI 48154

Access to Our Book and Video Library

MDPAG members enjoy the privilege of access to our extensive book and video library. Our Librarian makes sure our selections stay fresh and updated. This material offers a fun and affordable way to continually learn new techniques and be inspired by new and established artists in the polymer clay world.

Swaps

For the past several years, many MDPAG members have participated in organized swaps of their artwork. Each year the group has selected a theme, established guidelines, and worked to produce swap items.

In addition to participating in the annual swaps, members may contribute whenever they want to an ever-growing strand of beads. Some members have several beads on the strand while others have not yet donated a bead. We even have some beads donated from visiting instructors. The beads provide members an opportunity to share their work in new areas of interest or in areas of their expertise while using relatively little clay.

MDPAG and Social Media

MDPAG is on Facebook. You can also chat with other members on our Yahoo Members Only Group.

Last but not least, this website!

Check back here often to see fellow members work in the Gallery section (Our Work), the calendar of events, member benefits, and links to other polymer clay sites around the web. Don’t see one of your favorite websites here? Get the information to Webmaster Linda Vilas-Helton.

Upcoming Events

It’s That Time Again! Our 28th Annual MDPAG Retreat

We’re looking forward to our 28th Annual Retreat and are happy to say we are adding more opportunities to this year’s retreat. We will again have a silent auction (on Saturday Afternoon) as well as other familiar retreat activities.

No alarms, no beds to make, no children (or spouses) to tend. Meals prepared and shared with delightful company. No dishes to do! And Polymer Clay.

Held at the Colombiere Center in Clarkston, Retreat 2024 will be a long weekend of uninterrupted claying, an opportunity to create art and catch up with friends.

You must be fully vaccinated to attend and you must have a negative Covid Rapid test within 24 hours of arrival. Along with the aforementioned requirements, we will follow the Covid Protocols from Colombiere Conference Center.

Sign Up Online!

Sign Up Now! Deadline is January 31, 2024. You will receive an email confirming your deposit and the balance that you owe. Need to set up a payment schedule? We will work with you. We will make every effort to help you attend! We are taking payments via checks or through PayPal and Zelle. Contact Kathy Weinberg if you have questions or need to pay by another means.

Final payment must be received by March 15, 2024. You will receive an information letter (what to bring, what to expect, and directions to Colombiere) mid March. In order to save postage, please indicate on your registration whether you prefer a hard copy or an electronic copy of the information packet.

Download PDF Sign Up Form

Meet the Board

Cristy Rice

President

Charmaine Lipa

Vice President, Historian, & Membership

Dorothy Greynolds

Secretary

Kathy Weinberg

Treasurer & Retreat Coordinator

Susan Kaplan

Education

Sue Kelsey

Librarian

Kathie Harroun

Outreach

Linda Vilas-Helton

Past President
& Webmaster

Favorite Links

A listing of our members’ favorite polymer clay related websites

POLYMER CLAY GUILDS AND EVENTS

The International Polymer Clay Association
Polymer Clay Fests: Cabin Fever Creative Arts Fest, Master Class Camp, and Creative Fiber/Mixed Media Arts Fest (October) events.

SHOPPING…Look for tutorials on some of these sites too!

Munro Crafts
Munro Crafts is a BIG supporter of MDPAG!

Christi Friesen
Lisa Pavelka
Polyform
AMACO
Lucy Clay Store
Clay Factory – Marie Segal
Lee Valley Tools
Polymer Clay Express
Prairie Craft – Donna Kato
Tonjas Treasures
American Science & Surplus
Rings & Things
Fire Mountain Gems & Beads
Pan Pastels
Poly Clay Play
Penn State Industries
ComposiMold
Clearsnap
Golden Artist Colors

TOP OF PAGE

Welcome to the Metropolitan Detroit Polymer Art Guild. Celebrating Our 30th Year as a Guild 1993 – 2023!

Interested in Our Guild? Come to One of Our Meetings!

Learn and Share a Common Interest…Polymer Clay

Have Fun! Retreat – The Event
of the Year

Reach Out to Others