Job vacancy | New kiln | Upcoming workshops | Gas kiln firings on hold | New glaze | Changes to PWC and Open Studio bookings
Our mid-range pink in action
Job Vacancy
Waikato Society of Potters Studio Assistant (Part-time)
Hours: 13 hours per week as part of a shared 32.5 hour position.
Pay rate: $26 per hour
We have an exciting opening in our small team for an energetic, team- and community-orientated studio assistant. This is a part-time job-share role. There is some flexibility in the hours which are to be worked over 2 days between Monday and Friday to be negotiated with the existing Studio Assistant and Manager. The ideal candidate has some ceramics experience, possibly a ceramic artist who enjoys a studio environment. While training is provided, you should have the basics and be able to support our students and members who bring a diverse range of ceramics related queries. The role requires a flexible approach as the duties are also varied: there's some administration, a lot of coordination of studio and kiln room activities, and a great deal of communication with others. A good level of fitness is necessary as recycling clay, loading kilns, making glazes and working with studio equipment are part of the role. We are a community organisation and that means it is important that everyone is supported so we are looking for an individual who communicates well, enjoys helping out others and investing in the community.
Responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
- Answering of queries from WSP members and the general public including drop in, phone and email queries;
- Facilitating clay sales for members, students, and the public;
- Facilitating the smooth-running of the studio and kiln/glaze room, including kiln bookings and firing payments, mixing of glazes and recycling of clay as required;
- Facilitating open studio sessions and any general pottery queries from our members;
- Managing our online booking database, handling class/workshop bookings and emails;
- General tidiness, and general studio house-keeping;
- Assisting with kiln loading and unloading as required;
- Assisting manager with coordination of volunteers and artists-in-residence;
- Keeping an eye on clay, chemicals and other replenishable stock levels so they can be ordered in a timely manner;
- Any jobs other allocated by the manager relevant to the running of WSP.
Please send your CV and covering letter to the manager@waikatopotters.co.nz by 4pm on 17th June 2022.
New kiln 1
We got a new kiln! Well, it's new to us kiln replacement for Kiln 1.
We are testing it out for a few firings before moving the old one on as it has not been used for a while. The first bisque firing went well so early indications are that it will work out wonderfully. Sorry for the obstruction in the kiln room. We don't have many places to store it so please just work around it in the meantime.
Thank you to Stephen for coordinating everything so seamlessly. Organising the truck, synchronizing the collection and delivery of the enormous kiln, and booking Paul our electrician was impressive. Thanks also to Shuma Kinjo for volunteering his time, muscle and engineer's mind to the task, and to Craig Stephen for showing up at exactly the right moment to help get the kiln in place.
Upcoming workshops
25th June - Advanced throwing/Throwing Big workshop
17 July - Kiln license course
29-30 October - Nerikomi coloured clay workshop
Gas kiln firings paused
Our gas monitor is out of action and we are waiting for a new one. We haven't been provided with an ETA yet but have been advised that there are supply issues at the moment and there may be a wait. We will let you know when we can offer more certainty about when the next firing can take place.
After next week - Bookings no longer required for Play with Clay and Open Studio
From Friday 17th onwards you will no longer have to book a spot for Play With Clay or Open Studio and we will return to normal drop-in operations.
Numbers will still be limited in order to be manageable for those on duty so there will be a limit of 20 people in the studio space based on a first come basis.
New mid-range pink glaze
We have added a mid-range pink glaze to our collection! Some have already been trying it out with lovely results. The little vase above with the darker purple at the top used the breaking plum at the top, the MR pink below.
