MANILA, Philippines - When established printmaker Nelfa Querubin discovered clay, it became a turning point in her life. Literally the clay consumed her as she worked to learn every bit about pottery and rising above the common earthenware outputs to beautiful clay art. That was almost 30 years ago. Now after 18 solo exhibitions including two retrospectives both national and international, the Iloilo-born Querubin has been pursuing her two main advocacies of encouraging her Philippine viewers to work with clay since the country has plenty of clay and fuel to use for ceramic production as a creative industry and influence schools to open a ceramic course or the use of clay in fine arts and design. Recently, the US-based ceramic artist stepped up a notch in the latter. She visited the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts (UP CFA) which opened a Ceramic Studio and donated from her collection assorted books and magazines on ceramics plus copies of her latest book “Life with Clay.” She also called on the dean and faculty at the University of Sto. Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design. Photo shows, Querubin greeting UP CFA dean Tina Colayco at the book donation turn over. With them are: (from left) Marvin Lao, CFA Librarian Ching Omega, Izukan Gallery owner and “Life with Clay” publisher Juliet Lao and Prof. Jamel Obnamia – chair of the Studio Arts Department. Querubin’s book is available at Izukan Gallery – Unit 2101 21/F 88 Corporate Center Valero corner Sedeno Streets, Makati City. For more details call Izukan Gallery at 7525696.