Kia ora gorgeous potters
This week we’ve got another incredible crew member to introduce to you, plus another new workshop to announce, as well as the dates for another Phoenix wood firing! Get amongst all that goodness below, plus read about a couple of other fun creative things happening in the region.
Meet the Crew Mondays... on a Friday
This week we’re excited to introduce Tess May, who is the President of your WSP Committee.
Tess has a rich history working with clay and started potting when she was 17 years old. A woman just down the road from Tess had her own studio, with a wheel and kiln and it was with her that Tess learned to throw pots.
Following 2 years of study at Queensland Art College, Tess started work as a production thrower at commercial potteries around Victoria and Queensland, including Australian ceramics giant, Robert Gordon. Making around 100 pieces per day, all to the same shape and size, was an enjoyable challenge for Tess – no wonder she is such a skilled thrower!
After moving to NZ, Tess discovered WSP in a rather organic way, walking past the studio one day and wandering in to look around. She soon signed up for a potting class with Fenella Fern to get back into throwing, and not long later, Tess was teaching those classes. These days, Tess is working full-time at a correspondence Kura teaching English and Art, but still potting as much as possible. And on top of that, Tess volunteers as the President of our Committee – a position that is absolutely essential in keeping our favourite club operating.
Her role (did we mention it’s a volunteer post 😉) involves many discussions, meetings and decisions to set the direction and momentum for the Society. She works with our other Committee members to make sure that not only are all our legal-adminy boxes ticked, but that we’re creating a welcoming environment that nurtures our members along their own pottery journeys.
Tess’ favourite thing about WSP is being a part of an organization that creates opportunities for people to develop their knowledge and skills, and to branch out and try new things. It’s a place where we can support people to explore and expand their passion for ceramics.
In her own pottery practice, Tess is currently enjoying experimenting with wild/found clay and other resources, like ash, to make clay bodies and develop glazes. Check out some of her pieces in the pics, and say hi and give her a big, hearty thanks when you see her next – we very literally couldn’t do this without her!
Glaze Technology Workshop with Duncan Shearer
Saturday 19th October 2024
9am - 4pm
Understand glaze materials, make a test trial series, analyse results and understand how to adjust recipes to fix issues.
This glaze course is focussed on understanding the materials that are used in making up a glaze, including any health risks associated with a particular material. We examine the role materials play in the glaze and pitfalls that can occur when trying to substitute materials. We also have a go at making up test trials that will illustrate how to go about the process and also how to design a test series to reveal useful information. This will also cover how to analyse your results.
We’ll explore different sources of glaze recipes and what to watch out for before making up a new glaze. Glaze slop behaviour and getting a more reliable glazing experience is also covered.
Your tutor
In 1998 Duncan graduated with a Bachelor in 3D design, majoring in ceramics from UNITEC and since then has been working as a studio potter. He was Co-Director of the Auckland Studio Potters from 2000 to 2007 and the Manager of the Waikato Society of Potters from 2008 to 2012. He moved to Karangahake in 2014 and set up Rahu Road Pottery. Duncan makes a range of wheel thrown functional pots. He teaches a range of workshops from his studio including kiln firing, glazing and throwing classes. Duncan also delivers off-site workshops at pottery clubs and private studios around the country.
Last Phoenix Wood Firing for 2024
Saturday 2 November: Prep day: organize wood, prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 9 November: packing kiln
Sunday 10 November: firing kiln
Saturday 16 November: unloading kiln
Our last firing for the year will be lead by the fabulous Suzy Dunser! Suzy has a vast amount of experience in wood firing, and our Phoenix firings are very much a team-effort, hands-on affair, so you’ll learn a lot from taking part in this firing with Suzy.
Spaces, as always, are limited to 12 participants, so get in quick to secure your place.
Please note that the wood will need to be collected, prepped and stacked a month earlier (early October) to ensure it is dry on the day. The firing coordinator will be in touch with participants to organise a date for this.
Reminders
Volunteers for Exhibition Pack Down
If you can lend a hand to Yasmin on Monday 23rd from 10.30am to pack down and transport the exhibition pieces from ArtsPost, we’d be so, so grateful! If you can, please get in touch with Josephine at manager@waikatopotters.co.nz or phone 07 838 1950. Thanks xx
Kids’ School Holiday Pottery Programme
Check out the fun times we have planned for the younger ones these school holidays. They’re all listed on our website, for your viewing convenience.
Other cool creative things happening around and abouts
Aaron Scythe Workshop at Rotorua Potters
Rotorua Potters have the very excellent Aaron Scythe leading a 2-day, intermediate throwing workshop next month! Email them to book a place: rotoruapottersworkshops@gmail.com . And at the same time they will have a market in the Arts Village where they’re located on the Saturday with food, drinks, and arts & crafts. Sounds like a good time!
Raglan Arts Weekend – RAW(rrrr)
If you’re hanging out for an art-crawl, the Raglan Arts Weekend is happening in October over Labour Weekend. Not only is this a jam-packed, awesome arty event with creators of all kinds taking part, our very own Sarah Steed will be one of the fantastic artists opening their studio doors. Sarah is one of our throwing tutors, but also makes stunning jewellery pieces. Head out to Raglan to see Sarah and all the other makers and artists – more info here.
Studio Schedule
There’s lots of Open Studio sessions for you again next week – get into them before we kick off the school holiday programme the following week. Here’s how it’s looking so far, but as always, be sure to check the online calendar in case anything changes.
Saturday 21st of September
Play with Clay – thanks Tim, Lydia and friends!
Sunday 22nd of September
10am – 1pm, Class – Wheel Throwing Taster
Monday 23rd of September
9.30am– 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Making a Maker’s Mark workshop
Tuesday 24th of September
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – Thank you Margaret and Alicia!
Wednesday 25th of September
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Larissa and Mark!
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Thursday 26th of September
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Friday 27th of September
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Saturday 28th of September
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Tim and team!
Sunday 29th of September
Closed