IAC Admin

Dating back to 1968, Duncan Enterprises implemented the Education Program which was written by Cleo Curtis. Cleo was made Director of Education. Her idea was to implement a program with instructors to pass this knowledge onto us. Cleo’s dream started with Ambassadors (our Fired Arts Educators) and continues now in our organization (IAC). After her death in 1988, IADCCT created the Cleo Curtis Award in tribute to her increasing love of ceramics and its teachers. As the times are changing, so are we. This is now IAC’s most prestigious award and the person chosen to receive this award personifies the ideals that Cleo instilled in us all.

The person selected has been a member of our organization for almost 20 years. Since joining in 2007, have only missed 2 Conventions. This person was active in their local chapter serving as an officer and on numerous committees. They have also taught at this convention at least 3 times. They have completed a challenge or 2 along the way. One of which was the small stoneware document holder from a couple years goody bag item. This person has served on the Board of Directors. One office was as Membership Director. They were able to fine tune all the details required to both perform and improve that position. This person was a pleasure to work with in co-chairing the 2020 Convention. In addition, they teach at their own studio and have traveled to many other locations to teach. This person takes many classes and while learning as a student is thinking about the changes to be made to it to make it her own. This person has always been willing to step up when needed. They were also eager to help this organization improve and make changes which led to switching from the Education Chairperson that tried to provide the talented teachers for the Convention to the Parliamentarian. Being a “Get it done” kind of woman, She made suggestions for her replacement, switching gears in the middle of her term and made it happen. She was very instrumental in updating the bylaws for each chapter in this position as Parliamentarian.

I once saw a post on her Facebook that sums this up. “It’s the Friends we meet along the way that help us Appreciate the Journey. And we Appreciate Her! Let me present to you the 2025 Cleo Curtis Award recipient……CHERYL V JOHNSON

Dating back to 1968, Duncan Enterprises implemented the Education Program which was written by Cleo Curtis. Cleo was made Director of Education. Her idea was to implement a program with the Duncan instructors to pass this knowledge onto us. Cleo’s dream was an organization for certified Duncan Teachers. As times have changed, so have we. IADCCT has a new name-IAC. The instructors we knew as Duncan Ambassadors are now known as “Fired Art” Educators Chapter.

After her death in 1988, IADCCT created the Cleo Curtis Award in tribute to her increasing love of ceramics and its teachers. This is now IAC’s most prestigious award and the person chosen to receive this award personifies the ideals that Cleo instilled in us all.

The person receiving the award is a great example of what IAC members should strive for. This person may have started by becoming “Certified” in Duncan products, but I believe also jumped in with both feet. Along with being instrumental in starting a Chapter or 2 in 1 state and keeping them active. This person has also held offices in many groups and other organizations. I’ve seen this person at several Regionals and Retreats and is a sponge for more knowledge. The person in question never fails to ask a question or 2 along the way. It’s like the more you learned meant the more to share with the chapter members when you return home. Taking these classes and more from other companies and using their product line and being certified in most of them were just steps in this journey. Did I tell you that this person has been actively attending this annual Convention for over 20 years? “Learning from the best and taking it back home to share” may be her motto, but the one on their business card reads: Helping Others to Create. This person has also been very involved at the National level. She sat on the Board as Secretary from 2011 till 2014. She then switched to Membership Director from 2015 to 2018. I was happy to see her Teach at the National level in 2022. (Mr. Blue Jay)

Have you ever known someone you could ask for a favor, and they got it done PDQ? Or known a person with a lot of ambition and drive, and an easy person to work with? Well, that’s Deb.

Ladies and Gentlemen….. Please join me in congratulating our 2024 Cleo Curtis recipient, DEB WARD.