Made in the School Holiday workshops
Hi folks
We hope you’ve had a great week! We’ve finished up with the School Holiday Programmes here in the studio, and the two-day Greg Barron workshop took place this past weekend. It was an incredibly informative and inspiring time for the attendees and many of them will be returning in a few weeks to fire up the Phoenix kiln with Greg as Firemaster. There are still a couple of spots available for that firing, so if you’d like the experience of wood firing with one of New Zealand’s Master Potters, head online and sign-up now.
Workshop – Adding and Subtracting, it’s not maths, it’s BIG Raku!
This is a two-part workshop with each day taking place on separate weekends:
Saturday 3rd August, 10am - 4pm, build your piece
Saturday 17th August, 10am - 4pm, raku fire your piece
Local artist, Dave Austin, creates large-scale sculptural works using slab and other hand-building techniques, adding and subtracting shapes to turn his abstract thoughts into abstract reality. He has a passion for raku firing these pieces, committing them to the flame and smoking them in combustibles, for breathtaking and sometimes unpredictable results.
On the first day of this 2-day workshop, Dave will guide you in creating a base structure of up to 50cm high, which you will then alter, cutting pieces away and adding other shapes. You might choose to take inspiration from Dave’s works or to use his techniques to build something from your own imagination.
On the second workshop day, 2-weeks later, Dave will demonstrate the glazing, firing, and reduction methods that are specific to raku. You will then get to glaze and fire your own pieces in the raku kilns (with Dave’s expert guidance and assistance), removing them when they’re still hot and dousing them in combustible materials to start the reduction process.
There are no additional costs for this workshop, the enrolment fee includes clay, firing, glazes and use of all WSP equipment and raku kilns. Find more information here.
Feedback from the Greg Barron Workshop
“Greg was very generous in sharing his knowledge and experience with us. I have been inspired and have begun to build larger pots on the wheel. I enjoyed the way he took the time to prepare his clay. consider his forms and perfect is shapes.” Tess May
“What an amazing weekend. Learnt so much. Greg is an amazing potter and teacher and I was privileged in buying one of his tea bowls.” Bronwyn Wright
“Monsters” an exhibition of Sarah Lee’s works
Member and WSP Treasurer, Sarah Lee has an exhibition at Morrinsville Gallery running from 19 July to11 August 2024. The opening is on Sunday, 21 July, 11am – 1pm. If you’re heading through that way, it’s well worth a look! Sarah's sculptural works are intricate and enigmatic pieces that each tell a tale of their own. They are, by her own admission, strange but friendly creatures that clamber out of unknown places in her mind.
Annual WSP Exhibition at ArtsPost
And speaking of exhibitions, the Annual WSP exhibition is drawing closer! The entry deadline is 11.59pm on the 18th of August. And the opening preview is on the 22nd August. We’re excited to see all the creativity on display, to enter your pieces, head online to grab an entry form, or pick one up in the studio.
Term 3 Classes
Term 3 classes start on Monday, and we’ve still got spaces in these ones… Check them all out on our class bookings page.
Monday Morning Beginner Wheel Throwing Class, with Sarah Steed
9.30am – 12.30pm, 8 weeks, starting Monday 22nd July
Suitable for beginner potters or those who have done a wheel throwing taster and wish to develop a little further.
Wednesday Evening Wheel Throwing and Decorating, with Yasmin Davis
6pm – 9pm, 8 weeks, starting Wednesday 24th of July
This class is for those wanting to take your new wheel-throwing skills a bit further, and explore the possibilities of altering your forms and adding surface decoration.
Thursday Morning Sculpture Skills, with Emily Eales
9.30am – 12.30pm, 8 weeks, starting Thursday 25th July
Suitable for recent beginners and returning students who know the basics of hand building.
Friday Evening Introduction to Pottery, with David Kenny
6pm – 9pm, 4 weeks, starting Friday 26th July
Suitable for beginners.
Studio Schedule
Here’s what’s happening next week… Check the online calendar though, just in case.
Saturday 20th of July
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – thanks Teresa and Tim!
Monday 22nd of July
9.30am – 1pm, Class – Wheel Throwing
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Tuesday 23rd of July
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – Thank you Margaret!
Wednesday 24th of July
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Yasmin and Larissa!
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class – Wheel Throwing and Decorating
Thursday 25th of July
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class – Sculpture Skills
1pm – 4pm, CLOSED for Private Booking
6pm – 9pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Friday 26th of July
9.30am – 4pm, CLOSED for Diploma
6pm – 9pm, Class – Intro to Pottery
Saturday 27th of July
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay - thanks Teresa!
Sunday 28th of July
10am – 1pm, Class, Wheel Throwing Taster
