Tributes to Wendy Ball | Drop-offs and pick-ups next week | Tuesday evening meet-up for members | Diploma in Ceramic Arts 2022 | WSP Advanced Ceramics Course 2022 | Join the WSP Committee |
TRIBUTES TO WENDY BALL AND SANET JOOSTE
This week we said a sad farewell to Wendy Ball and Sanet Jooste from our committee. I, the committee and staff at WSP would like to say thank you to both of them who have respectively served us as President and Vice-President/Secretary in recent years. They have capable and courageously steered the society through a period of rapid growth as well as the upheaval and uncertainty posed by COVID-19. I will always be grateful to them for the huge support they have given to me since I arrived at the society. While I shall miss them at monthly meetings I look forward to seeing them in the studio where they can continue to pursue their creativity - without the challenging job of governing the society. Thank you, Wendy and Sanet.
Yasmin has put together some words of tribute.
As long as I have been at WSP, Wendy has always been there. At first as a member in the background, and then as a fabulous committee member. Then she agreed to step into the rather large boots of Caryl Ginnever as the President when the time came to find a successor. Wendy was excellent. Always "on-call" and able to listen, organise, sort out and serve the WSP. She was our thoughtful president through some very tough times socially and with the added stress of the new challenges with COVID for the last 2 years. Wendy has a heart of gold and was always there for us. I am sad that she is leaving as President, but happy that she will be able to use her precious spare time for creative work again and enjoy making pottery. I will miss her greatly. Thank you sooo much for everything.
The wonderfully organised, clever and onto it Sanet is sadly leaving our committee as Secretary and all-round organiser. I have always enjoyed working with Sanet. She is incredibly organised, reliable and honest. I appreciated that I know where I stand and that I can always rely on Sanet. Her minute-taking for meetings was concise and organised, and helped to sort out what needed to be done clearly and efficiently. She also cooks fantastic dinner and desserts and I will miss her intelligent contributions to the committee. Again though, I am happy for Sanet to be able to use her freed up time for her creative outlets and look forward to spending time with her in that. Thank you, thank you, for all your hard work, Sanet. You will be greatly missed.
DROP-OFFS AND PICK-UPS
Drop-offs:
The photo above is a kiln-full of glazed work ready to fire today! We are still firing the kilns at Level 3. Stephen will be at the studio from 10am until 2pm Tuesday to Friday next week (Monday is a holiday). Please drop off your boxed firing at the door. Like last week, we are still asking that you measure in advance and pay by bank transfer in order to make this a contactless transaction. The firing sheets can be downloaded online, check last week's news post for the links.
Pick-ups:
Do you recognise anything of yours in the photos below? If so, please get in touch with Stephen to arrange a time to pick them up. We can manage pick-ups if your work is easily identifiable, but we need to arrange this in advance: email info@waikatopotters.co.nz
VIRTUAL MEET-UP FOR MEMBERS
Tuesday 26 October at 7pm
Who struggles with handles? It's one of the most common gripes that we hear about. Next week's online get-together will feature a demo on pulling handles by Tess May. In addition to being a Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu teacher and the new WSP President, Tess is an experienced ceramic artist with spent almost 10 years working as a production potter. She knows her stuff when it comes to handles.
There will be time to ask questions, and chat and connect with other WSP potters after the demonstration. These sessions are a fun, friendly and welcoming environment, and we welcome all members to join. Some like to share what they have been making at home, but there is no obligation to do so. Please RSVP manager@waikatopotters.co.nz if you would like to join the fun.
INFORMATION EVENING
Thursday 28 October at 7.30pm
Do you want to take your ceramics practice to the next level but aren't sure which course is right for you? We are holding an online information evening for you to learn more about both the Diploma in Ceramic Arts and the WSP Advanced Ceramics courses. RSVP to manager@waikatopotters.co.nz to be sent the link to join the online session and find out more. Here's a brief preview about the different courses:
Diploma in Ceramic Arts 2022
Teapot by Emma Meyers
Study ceramics with New Zealand's only specialised tertiary programme in Ceramic Arts. The Waikato Society of Potters, alongside Otago Polytechnic, deliver the New Zealand Diploma in Arts and Design - Ceramics programme at level 5 and 6.
This is the course for you if you are looking to extend your ceramic skills, communicate stories with your artwork, develop as an artist and learn how to critique artwork. Starting in February 2022. Two visiting tutors alongside a main tutor will make for a fun varied year. Join in with some wonderful students who are working their way through the course part-time over 4 years. This course has a bit of everything with studio practical papers, art history papers, drawing paper and technical glaze papers.
WSP Advanced Ceramics course
Hannah Williams, Pink objects
Want to take your hobby and turn it into a sustainable business, then the advanced course is for you. This course offers a wide range of technical pottery skills alongside other skills needed to make your pottery into a sustainable business practice. Lots of feedback from tutors and peers is a core part of this course and will build confidence so you can proudly market your ceramics to the world.
GOVERNANCE VACANCIES ON WSP COMMITTEE
We have a number of vacancies on our committee and are seeking nominations from our wider membership. The position of Secretary is currently available, as are a number of general committee roles.
The Committee of the Waikato Society of Potters provides governance for the society by establishing a strategic plan, taking into account the large number of diverse and creative personalities who come together in this space to create, socialise and enjoy the facilities.
Secretary: Support of the Committee and President:
- Maintain minutes and arrange monthly meetings
- Publish minutes appropriately
- Support president in any/all above
Additional information about the committee responsibilities, roles and code of conduct are available on our About page. Please email manager@waikatopotters.co.nz for a nomination form.
