Kia ora comrades in clay!
The studio vibe this week has been particularly happy and energetic, it’s always such a joy to see your faces coming in the door and your excitement when you pick up your pieces. We had the lovely Craig firing the gas kiln this week and the pots are out on the shelves for you to collect. It was a great firing resulting in toasty clay bodies and nice reduction. Don’t forget, Raku Club is on tomorrow (Saturday) it’s always fun to watch, even if you’re not firing pots this time around.
Studio Schedule
Next week’s schedule below – we have a couple of closures due to a private class and the Diploma teaching starting up again. Remember to check the online schedule before coming in.
Saturday 24th Feb
9.30 – 2.30pm – Raku Club Firing
10am – 1pm – Play with Clay
Sunday 25th Feb
10am – 1pm – Class, Wheel Throwing Taster
Monday 26th Feb
9.30am – 12.30pm – Class, Beginner Wheel Throwing
1pm – 4pm – Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm – Class, Wheel Throwing
Tuesday 27th Feb
9.30am – 12.30pm - Members’ Open Studio
1pm – 4pm –CLOSED FOR A PRIVATE CLASS
6pm – 9pm – Play with Clay
Wednesday 28th Feb
9.30am – 12.30pm – Play with Clay
1pm – 4pm - Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm – Class, Wheel Throwing
Thursday 29th Feb
9.30am – 12.30pm – Class, Animal Sculpture
1pm – 4pm – Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm – Class, Hand Building
Friday 1st Mar
9.30am – 4pm – CLOSED FOR DIPLOMA TEACHING
6pm – 9pm – Class, Intro to Pottery
Saturday 2nd Mar
10am – 1pm – Play with Clay
Meet the Crew Mondays …on a Friday
We’re just in time to meet one of our Artists in Residence, Julie Christine (www.instagram.com/terra.metis.ceramics), before she leaves the country and heads back to her homeland at the end of March!
Julie came from France to live in Aotearoa 6 years ago, following a jaunt travelling around NZ with her partner. They thought this was a great place to raise children, and that’s what they’ve done. All while living a beautiful life in a tiny house!
Julie has always been attracted to working with clay, and 3 ½ years ago she signed up to a pottery class here at WSP with Yasmin. That was the first time she did pottery or became aware of pottery wheels! These days, Julie is a very skilled potter, making both hand-built and wheel-thrown pieces which she sells via Instagram, Wellness Festivals and Markets.
The Artist in Residence position here has been an amazing opportunity for Julie and she says the experience learning about studio life, pottery processes and having a space to create in has been invaluable to her development as a potter. Her work in the studio will be missed, as will her very calm and caring energy.
Outside of the studio, Julie loves yoga, chanting and dancing. Say hi to Julie (and bye soon too ☹) next time you see her at WSP.
Term 1B Classes
Our second round of 4-week classes start soon. If you, or someone you know, could use a little oomph in your potting technique, these could be just the ticket. Check out the class bookings page for more info and to enrol.
Intro to Pottery
Explore a new pottery construction method each week and end the class with a Raku firing.
Fridays, 6pm – 9pm
Starting 8th March
Wheel Throwing Taster
Learn the essential skills for making pots on the wheel, including trimming and glazing.
Sundays, 10am – 1pm
Starting 10th March
Got ash?
If you have any wood ash from your log-burner, fire-pit etc. we’d be grateful to receive some at the studio. Unsurprisingly there’s not many fires being lit through these hot months and we like to keep a nice stock of it on hand for making up the ever-popular Cone 10 Ash glaze.
Exhibition opportunity
Soup, Sip, Savour: A Winter Pottery Exhibition
Rotorua Potters Group are organising a collaborative exhibition for their members along with members of the Bethlehem Pottery Club, Waikato Society of Potters and Whakatane Potters. You’re invited to submit pots to be included in the exhibition, and to attend the opening on Friday the 24th of May.
“This is a winter themed pottery exhibition, we are looking for pieces that are functional and used throughout the winter months such as mugs, teapots & tea cups, soup bowls, bakeware & casserole dishes, gravy jugs and general kitchenware. All pieces must be available for sale and must not have been in an exhibition prior to this. Entries can have multiple pieces e.g. a set of 6 mugs can be sold as one piece or a tea pot and tea cups.”
For more information and to enter use the Google form here.
