Kia ora e te whānau
The sun is shining again, Diploma teaching has started, our second lot of Term 1 taster classes are starting, Phoenix wood firings are in the planning stage, and the indoor kilns are running hot – everything is right with the WSP world! Check out this week’s newsletter below and let us know if you have anything to include in next week’s.
Margaret’s Pick of the Month
The competition to win Margaret’s favour in February was fierce, and we had four contenders running hot all month. The decision was difficult, but after intense deliberation Margaret chose this lovely little piece as the winner. We didn’t see who picked it up, so please let us know if it’s yours – you’ve won a $10 firing credit!
Classes
We’re half-way through the term and the work coming out of the classes is looking super. We’ve got one more class each left in tonight’s Intro to Pottery, and Sunday’s Wheel Throwing Taster classes, then we start new 4-week blocks of these from next week. If you, or someone you know, would like to develop solid foundation skills, these are a great opportunity to set you up to start building and throwing with confidence.
Intro to Pottery with David Kenny
Fridays 6pm – 9pm, 4-weeks, starting 8th March
Please note there won’t be a class on the 29th of March, due to Easter and the last class will take place on Friday 5th April.
In this class you will learn a new pottery technique each week, including hand-building and wheel-throwing. The term often ends with a Raku firing, a great opportunity to try this exciting firing method.
Wheel Throwing Taster Class with Sarah Steed
Sundays 10am – 1pm, 4-weeks, starting 10th March
Please note there won’t be a class on 31st March, due to Easter and the last class will take place on Sunday 7th April.
In this class, Sarah will teach you all the necessary skills for throwing pots on the wheel, including trimming and glazing. It’s the perfect start to your adventures on the wheel.
Raku Club Pics
The raku firing held on Saturday 24th Feb, was a great success and it looks from the pics like some fantastic reduction was achieved. Check out those metallic coppers and smoky blacks!
The next Raku firing is booked in to coincide with an evening PWC on Tuesday the 16th of April from 6pm. The enrolment form is now live on our class bookings page – check it out for more info and to sign-up! If you’re keen and have questions about the process, particularly the special glazes you need to use, have a chat to Libby :)
Studio Schedule
There’s lots happening in the studio and we have a couple of private bookings on this coming week, so be sure to check out the online studio calendar before you come in. At this stage, the studio schedule is looking like this:
Saturday 2nd Mar
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay
Sunday 3rd Mar
10am – 1pm, Class – Wheel Throwing Taster
Monday 4th Mar
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class – Beginner Wheel Throwing
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class – Wheel Throwing
Tuesday 5th Mar
9.30am – 12.30pm, Members’ Open Studio
1pm – 4pm, CLOSED for a private class
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay
Wednesday 6th Mar
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class – Wheel Throwing, Altering, Decorating
Thursday 7th Mar
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class – Animal Sculpture
1pm – 4pm, CLOSED for a private workshop
6pm – 9pm, Class – Hand Building
Friday 8th Mar
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class – Intro to Pottery
Saturday 9th Mar
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay
Bisque Last Chance
We’ve got an overflow of uncollected bisque here – please take a look when you next come in to see if any of it is yours. It’ll be in the blue trolley near the entrance for a couple more weeks and then we will need to move it on.
Ash
Putting the call out for wood ash again, if you’re needing to clear out your winter wood-burners, braziers or fireplaces, please keep us in mind. We’d be happy to take donations of your ash. Let us know if you need to borrow a bucket to collect it in – we have heaps!
Winter Pottery Exhibition date extension
The deadline for this exhibition has been extended by a week! The new deadline is now Friday the 8th of March. Seems like a great opportunity to get involved in this cool collaboration between our neighbouring pottery clubs – check it out:
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 enter using the Google form here.
