Hi friends
Well, we’ve had a few more hiccups with one of the kiln controllers again this week (sigh), but we’re hoping we have that fixed now – fingers crossed! Once again Margaret is doing a marvellous job in keeping your work flowing through the firing process, despite the reduced firing capacity. Thanks to all those who have been so patient when we’ve had to re-schedule or juggle your kiln bookings, we really do appreciate your understanding during these stressful times.
Term 4B Classes
Our last two class offerings for 2024 are starting soon – take a look and sign-up below.
Intro to Pottery
4-weeks, Fridays, 6pm – 9pm, starting 17th November
More info here.
Wheel-Throwing Taster Class
4-weeks, Sundays, 10am – 1pm, starting 24th November
More info here.
Farewell-ish to Mark Tamura, Artist in Residence
This week we have partially farewelled Mark Tamura, who joined us earlier this year as an Artist in Residence.
Mark’s enthusiasm, energy and extensive capabilities have been very much appreciated over his time here. He’s undertaken the full range of AR duties, helped out with lots of our handy-person jobs, contributed to our teaching curriculum, and been a great contributor in running this awesome studio of ours.
While Mark is vacating his studio here at WSP, he isn’t stopping potting and is in fact setting up his own studio at home – an exciting time for all potters! And very fortunately for us, Mark is still keen to hang out with us and volunteer his time in the studio regularly, and will be working as a co-opted member of your Committee as well.
Thanks so much Mark for all you’ve done during your time as AR, we’re grateful for that and happy we’ll still see you around the traps!
Members’ Xmas Market – CANCELLED ☹
We are sorry to say that we haven’t received enough registrations of interest to make the proposed Christmas Market viable, so unfortunately this won’t be going ahead. We would dearly love to offer this type of opportunity to our members in the future though, and we will look to do that on Open Day in 2025.
Meet the Crew Monday… on a Thursday
This week we’re introducing fledgling potter and committee member Josef Thompson Smith.
Joe's start in clay came after reading a book that talked about the advantages of trying something new each month. After deciding clay would be the first new thing he would try on that adventure, he took a wheel throwing class with “the amazing Libby” and was hooked – a successful adventure indeed.
Joe's at a stage where he’s currently playing around with as many different things as he can. He’s experimenting with different glazes, combinations and textures to see how things turn out. He really enjoys making little planters for cuttings from his plants and recently gave hand building a go.
With a goal to replace everything in his kitchen with hand-made pieces Joe has set himself a tricky task: “I keep changing my mind on what shape of bowl I like best, so it’s become a rather drawn-out process”.
The vibrance of the place and the people are what Joe enjoys most about WSP. Though fresh to WSP he’s loving it so far. “It always feels like it has a great atmosphere and everyone is super friendly!”
Outside of pottery Joe does “anything and everything”. Although he is game for trying most things, his main hobbies are Kyokushin, snowboarding, reading and getting out on the nature trails. However he recently also added Scottish folk dancing with his partner Thailine to this list. Iongantach!
If you see Josef around and your hands are clean give him a high five and a smile to let him know he’s appreciated.
End of Year deadlines
These are our closing, firing and kiln booking deadlines for the end of the year, please keep these in mind as you plan your making.
17 November – Last day for private kiln bookings
2 December – Last day for pre-holiday bisque firing drop offs
You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque firing after this date, and we will do our level best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
9 December – Last day for pre-holiday glaze firing drop offs
As above, you are still welcome to leave work for glaze firing after this date but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
10 December – Last Tuesday evening Play with Clay
17 December, 5.30pm – Christmas Party!
19 December – Last open studio for the year
20 December – End of year Working Bee and closing day
The studio won’t be in a state for any potting to take place, but you are still able to pop in and pick up your pieces. In fact, this will be your last chance to do so before we re-open on the 13th of January.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how the studio is looking next week but, as always, remember to check the online calendar before you come in.
Friday 1st of November
9.30am – 4pm, CLOSED for Diploma
6pm – 9pm, Class, Intro to Pottery
Saturday 2nd November
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Tim and team!
Sunday 3rd November
10am – 1pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Monday 4th November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Hand Building
Tuesday 5th of November
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Stacey!
Wednesday 6th of November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Larissa, Mark and Yasmin!
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
4 – 5.30pm, Kids’ Play with Clay
6pm – 9pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Thursday 7th of November
9.30am – 12.30pm, Class, Sculpture Skills
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
Friday 8th November
9.30am – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Class, Intro to Pottery
Saturday 9th of November
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – Thanks Tim and team!
All day – Wood kiln loading day
Sunday 10th of November
10am – 1pm, Class, Wheel Throwing
All day – Wood kiln firing day
