Pottery Newsletter July 2019

 Hi everyone,
With the winter weather closing in, now is a great time to reignite your enthusiasm for pottery. Pop along to one of our Tuesday club days and spend some time creating with others. Have a read below of what’s happening at the club and get involved. Everyone welcome.
Don’t forget to check out our website https://www.mtpleasantpottery.org.nz with information on class times and the latest news and updates.

Clay
New clay is on its way. You can purchase this online. 
Our account details are: Mt Pleasant Pottery, Westpac: 03 1591 0083454 00
Alternatively place the correct cash in a clearly marked envelope and put into the box under the large tables. Please note that prices for clay have now increased. 
Mac’s White $65
LF18 $53

Please ensure when making payment you include a reference name and what you are paying for.

Wood Firing
The wood-firing is set to take place on Saturday 27th July. 11 people have signed up to participate so far. Please add you name to the list if you can help out.
Shona will run a glazing class for this on Tuesday club night 23rd July. 
Please make sure you have all your pots ready in the marked box by Thursday 25th July.

Classes
The evening classes are now full including the newly structured beginners classes.
Wednesday class has two spaces as does the monthly wheel class run by Renate.
Please contact Leigh-Anne if you would like to join a class. 027 480 7189 or 
leigh-ann.obrien@GIB.CO.NZ
Brenda has completed a successful kids holiday throwing class.
She is looking to run a Christmas gift making class for the September holidays for both adults and children.

Monthly Wheel Work Intensive, Project based Class with Renate has two spaces available
Time: last Fri of the month, 9:30am to 12:30pm
Max number of students: 6
Target group: Beginning intermediate to intermediate potter
Prerequisite: Basic centering and throwing ability of small pots and basic form
Course outline: Understanding vessels: what makes i.e. a good mug, bowl or plate (proportion, handle, foot ring, weight, ease of glaze-ability, etc.)
Experimenting with shape and form, finding one’s own preferred shape of dish
Learning and practicing how to achieve repeatable form
Understanding shrinkage and how to work it 
Basic understanding of clays and their qualities, among other stuff
This includes lots of technical demonstrations by me; throwing techniques, turning, tips and tricks, do’s and don’ts, rescue missions, best tools for the job, etc.; as well as working on one’s own pots, throwing, turning etc. with observation and feedback from me, as well as monthly plan of project, homework and sharing of ideas and successes.
You will need some time on the wheel outside of the class, by attending club day, another regular class or having your own wheel at home. If this sounds like you, please get in contact with Renate 0211336620 or rgaletzka@gmail.com
 
Club Exhibition 2019
After a 5 year break our yearly club exhibition is back!
Guest exhibitor is Neil Hey, a former chair of our club, also former chair of Ceramics NZ, formerly known NZ Society of Potters
Submission Date 12 Oct
Date 19/20 Oct
Venue Mt Pleasant Community Centre Hall
Attached please see enrolment form and exhibition conditions, please familiarise yourself and if you have any questions, or are keen to be part of the planning please get in contact with Renate or Leigh-Ann, contact details at the end of the newsletter.

Tools – A number of pottery tools have been broken or gone missing recently. Please have a look in your tool boxes for any that may have accidentally found their way into your kits and if found, return them as soon as possible.
You can purchase your own pottery tools from General Pottery 49 Ferry Road.
 
Cleaning
Please make sure you clean your work area well as we no longer have a weekly cleaner.

MtP Pottery Club Programme for 2019 
CLUB DAYS & CLUB NIGHTS
Club Days are on Tuesdays, 10am to 3.30pm and 7 to 9pm.
Club Demonstration Nights are on the second Tuesday of every month. 
We are hosting guest speakers and demonstrators who will be sharing their knowledge and expertise on a wide range of topics relating to pottery and ceramics.
 A $5 donation please.
To get most out of our Demonstration Club Nights please get in contact and let me know which topics you would like to know more about. I will try and make it happen! 
Renate 021-1336620, rgaletzka@gmail.com

Saturday Club Day, 1st Saturday of the month, 10.00am till noon 

Saturday Raku Club Day with Leigh-Ann

July
One day workshop 
Make your own screen for printing on clay
Price to be advised

August
Tuesday, 13th
Club Night: Everything Glaze Materials
Bring all your unanswered questions relating to glaze making. Our very own expert, Ken, will have an answer for everything! Like: What’s Silica? Why did that glaze run? Why is that glaze stuck to the bottom and what can I do? What makes my glaze blue or white or red or...? 

September
Tuesday, 10th
Club Night: Hands on “Mocha Diffusion”
Bring along leather hard test tiles and /or pots, small to med size. We will supply slip and two or three acidic colours, then see what happens. Google it! It’s fun fun fun!! Originally made by boiling tobacco, nowadays made with vinegar, but you can even make it with mandarin juice (I’ve tried).

Possibly Weekend workshop with Yi-Ming Lin – Sculpture. Please txt Renate on 0211336620 to gauge interest

October
Club Day and Club Night: Submission of works 

No Club Night: Any last min prep for our upcoming show. We’ll keep you posted

Saturday, 12th 
Submission and Selection Day, 10am

Friday/Saturday, 18 – 19 Exhibition 
At Mt Pleasant Community Centre Hall
All hands on deck, please volunteer for all the jobs large and small that will help make our exhibition a success 

November
Tuesday, 12th
AGM and world-famous auction 

End of Year Party
Day outing to Birdlings Flat with Action Firing (pit firing) and picnic at the beach. Bring family and partners, this will be fun fun fun!
Date to be announced closer to the time, with consideration to tides. If total fire ban should be in place event will be postponed to autumn 2020.
Watch this space - Fire permit is submitted

Happy potting everyone - Jackie
On behalf of your committee.