CPA Newsletter Jan-Mar 2014 1

Hello Potters! I hope this year is going well so far and you are starting to get back into making and creating work. I want to recap since our last newsletter as there have been some exciting happenings, which many of you will have attended.

We had a very successful workshop and talk with Alice Rose in October,and those who attended made some beautiful vessels focused on the ellipse and Alice’s technique of making two dimensional forms appear three dimensional. Alice is indeed an inspiration, making a living from her craft and incorporating her amazing love and skill in graphic design to create beautiful forms. We had 45 Exhibitors at our 40th Exhibition - a huge increase from 28 the year before. Opening night was full of people and banter and one of the largest openings I have attended recently. The works by ten early CPA members in the display cabinets was, for me and many others, a glimpse of ceramic work at its finest- just lovely. The Museum went out of their way to make this a great display from their own collection. They also purchased five new pieces from our exhibition, including one by Selector’s Choice winner Margaret Ryley. This year it would be great to have over 50 people exhibiting - I know we can do it!

In December, we celebrated the club’s 50th year. Oh my goodness! It was such a great afternoon - the food, champagne, the weather, the layout of the room, white tablecloths, flowers, and all the lovely teapots/pots, slide show, tiles, the speakers and all those potters reunited, often after many years apart. It was delightful to see all the lovely interactions. Jim Pollard commented that he knew everyone there, and I am sure he was speaking for many others as well. A big thanks to Jane and Anne for organising this, and to the other helpers as well. It was a fantastic occasion, and one I certainly will remember. Now getting back to this year: we have already had one workshop on gas firing with the wonderful Neil Hey sharing his expertise - and there will be another firing in March. We have had Renate Galetzka demonstrating engobe glazes and slip trailing. And by the time you receive this newsletter, the annual Avice Hill art and craft day will be upon us.

We already have our 2014 exhibition dates sorted out with the Museum. Opening night will be Wednesday 5 November, receiving on 9 October and selection will be 10 October, We have two guest selectors and exhibitors - Frederika Ernsten and Margaret Ryley – who will be well known to most of you. This is a special year for Margaret and Frederika, as both have been creating ceramic forms for 50 years. Congratulations to you both! I am also told by a reliable source that this will be the first time they have exhibited together…

Please start thinking about the exhibition now and put those special pieces away for selection in October. We are very pleased to welcome five new members to the club: Phil Ross, Hong Lzang Zhong, Alyse Oliver, Poppy Elmhirst and Lynette Woods. Welcome to you all - we look forward to seeing you around the clubrooms and at our events/workshops.

We have a couple of members exhibiting around the city at the moment in February – Kim Henderson, Jane McCulla and Akane Nakao are all exhibiting together at the Form Gallery from 12 February ( see advert). Kam Hamilton is also exhibiting her work at Down by the Liffey Gallery in Lincoln until 9 February.

We have some very sad news one of our members John Marshall died at the beginning of January. John has been with the club for many years and was a wealth of knowledge about clay and was very giving about his knowledge. He donated wo big drums of Paul Fishers clay a couple of years ago for a workshop. Please help yourself to the clay – the drums are beside the cottage.

- Ngarita and the CPA Committee

January – March 2014

Celebrating 50 years of potting in Canterbury!

The Canterbury Potter Ne wsle t te r o f Ca nterbury Pot te rs ’ Assoc ia t ion

395 M emo r i al Aven u e, P O Bo x 29424 Ch r i st chu rch 8053 P hon e 3589467

CPA Newsletter Jan-Mar 2014 2

Coming up… February Sunday 9th Avice Hill Arts and Crafts Event 9.45 am – 3pm All helpers welcome! A great fun day for everyone.

March Saturday 1 5th Gas Kiln Firing Group Glazing on Wednesday 12th, packing kjln on Friday 14th. From 6pm at clubrooms.

Friday 21 st Jane McCulla Pottery Trip to Japan Come and hear Jane speak about her inspirational trip to our sister city, Kurashiki. Venue to be confirmed.

April Date to be confirmed Raku firing at the clubrooms Old hands and newcomers welcome.

May Date to be confirmed CPA AGM and Auction

August Date to be confirmed Workshop – selecting for an exhibition A day long workshop with Fredrika Ernsten. Come and discover the secret to choosing your pots for exhibition from an expert!

October Thursday 9

CPA Exhibition Receiving Day Friday 1 0 CPA Exhibition Selection Day

NovemberWednesday 5th CPA 41st Exhibition Opening

Your Committee President: Ngarita Wight 03 360 2945 ngaritaw@gmail.com

Vice Presidents: Jane McCulla janemcculla@gmail.com

Anne Deegan deegananne@gmail.com

Secretary Darren Saunders 021 1922555 typhon@xtra.co.nz Treasurer: Lyanne Fitzgibbon 3602091 lyanne@slingshot.co.nz

Clay Stock Manager: Darren Saunders 021 1922555 typhon@xtra.co.nz

Membership Secretary Lyanne Fitzgibbon 3602091 lyanne@slingshot.co.nz

Admin Secretary and Senior Tutor: Margaret Ryley 03 3138406 margaretryley@clear.net.nz

Kiln Coordinator, Building and Equipment Alex Prentice 389 9438 leane.and.alex@clear.net.nz

Newsletter Editor Lorraine Bonisch 03 359 9461 lorraine.bonisch@taitradio.com

Newsletter Distribution Sarah Jolly 3585501 pinetreejollys@xtra.co.nz

Committee Mary Lou Foate 3554 210 foate.verrall@xtra.co.nz Jenny Taylor 9818211 Helen Kendrick 3583775 helen.kendrick@yahoo.com Terry Gallie 3519623 terrypot@xtra.co.nz Helen Kendrick 3583775 helen.kendrick@yahoo.com

Tutors: Margaret Ryley 03 3138406 Frederika Ernsten 03 310 0630 Terry Gallie 03 351 9623 Jane McCulla 03 3299 619 Lynette Woods woods.lyn@gmail.com

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THE NOTICEBOARD Membership secretary vacancy We are looking for a new membership secretary for this year- Lyanne has been very busy doing this role as well as treasurer and she has decided that she wants to do only one role. She has set up very easy systems to follow so taking over this role will be a smooth and easy process. We need someone who can send emails, enter data and use Gmail and Google Drive. Lynne will do some training and is happy to offer support in this role.

Let Lyanne or Ngarita know if you can help with this role.

Renewal of Subscriptions Sub renewals are due now. There is an increase this financial year, as costs to run our facilities iincreae. • Individuals $60 Joint membership $80 Please pay into CPA account: 030-230124637 • Reference: Subscription • Your name: Our constitution states subs run from April 2014 to March 2015, so they are due 1 April. Please tell us if you have changed address, email or phone number.

Electric Kiln Workshop: We are having an electric kiln workshop on 19 Feb from 7 -9 pm, for people who have some experience in using kilns in classes but want to use them outside classes. Anyone who wants to use our kilns for their own firings attend these workshops Please let us know if you are interested. . Margaret Ryley and Alex Prentice will lead this workshop.

Do you want to join NZ Potters? NZ Potters Inc is a national, non-profit organisation representing practicing potters and ceramicists, students and those interested in ceramics. www.nzpotters.co.nz regularly updates what is happening - exhibitions, conventions and events. As a member: • you can have a web page promoting your work. • receive a copy of Ceramics Quarterly publication

and the monthly NZ Potters E-Newsletter. • have links to other craft groups and organisations • belong to a national organisation which lobbies on

behalf of the ceramics community. • enjoy reduced fees at our conferences • submit work to NZ Potters National Exhibition • share knowledge and collegiality from a strong

community of members of a national organisation. • have access to the Mentoring programme .

For more details on how to join, check out NZ Potters website for membership form or contact your local Regional Council Member, (RCM) Jane McCulla janemcculla@gmail.com or 03 3299619/022 6353911

Gas Firing workshop Our next gas firing workshop will be on the Saturday 15 March. This will depend on the number of pots we have as the kiln must be full. We will be loading the kiln on Friday 14 March from 5.30, after glazing on the Wednesday night from 7 pm. So far, we are a group ten who did the firing earlier in January. If you are interested and you would like to join us please contact canterburypotters@gmail.com.

Club room security There was an attempt to take a council worker’s bag in broad daylight in the Avice Hill grounds on 7 January. Police advise us to please lock your car doors and to lock yourself in if you are in the clubrooms by yourself. Try to keep bags out of sight if the room is open. Be alert to people you may not know wandering around.

Pug Mill – hire or buy Table top pug mill required urgently. Please phone Pam Baker 3584357 with rates to hire or to buy. If you are prepared to hire your pug mill to me I will look after it very well and return it to you completely free of clay.

Please sign in Please sign in when you are using the clubrooms outside of classes. This book is on the office desk.

And don’t forget the $3 per session charge.

Items for Auction? With all those new year resolutions still in place, and garages, studios and sheds being tidied and organized, f you may have a pile of goodies you no longer require. It is not too early to be thinking about our annual auction in May. Anything pottery-related, or even just useful, would be really welcome. We can pick up your donations if you can’t bring them in, and will store them for you. Contact one of the committee to arrange.

Congratulations - once again As we reported in our previous newsletter, Jane McCulla and Kim Henderson had work accepted for the Portage Awards. At the time we did not know, but both Jane and Kim received Merit Awards. Jane also had her piece bought by Lopdell House and her winning entry was on the catalogue cover. Kim also sold both of her pieces.

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FOR SALE I have a number of glaze items to sell. Mostly new and others which have been hardly used. • Teadust Mid Fire Glaze 0.666 kg (1220

degrees C) • Tenmoku cone 6 Mid Fire Glaze 1.0 kg • Sea Urchin Mid Fire Glaze 0.666 kg • ABBOTS Universal medium 3 x 1l plastic

bottles • Claybright underglaze (Bright yellow) opened

but hardly used.

Linda Robinson (Wednesday Bishopdale group) Home phone 3546107 Cell phone 02102715472

ABBOTS (Brushable Glaze) 400 ml • Pollen - brand new • Purple Haze - more than 3/4 full • Fake Ash - more than 3/4 full • Deep Glossy Red - more than 3/4 full • Mandarin - more than 3/4 full • Cobalt Blue - more than 3/4 full • Granny Smith - 3/4 full • Jade - 3/4 full • Black (self mixed) - 1 litre

CPA EXHIBITION 2013

40th Exhibition Award Winners • Selector’s Choice - Margaret Ryley • Merit Award - Alex Prentice • Merit Award - Mary Koh • Merit Award -Jane McCulla • Avice Hill First Time Exhibitor - Nicky Loe

Above: Life member Margaret Ryley opens the 40th CPA Exhibition at the Canterbury Museum in November 2013. Below: A selection of the exhibition set up in the Museum’s Visitors’ Lounge

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GAS KILN WORKSHOP - REVIEW

Once again, we are indebted to Neil Hey for his generous support in time and expertise, so that we can once again use our gas kiln. One of our newest members was a participant at the recent gas firing workshop led by Neil . Here’s what he had to say:

“I was very impressed with the expertise Neil shared with the group. The conversations and detailed logs he shared with us allowed us to glimpse the results of years of experience. An amazing trove of knowledge. But what I found particularly impressive was the friendly and cordial nature amongst the group. I enjoyed the sessions very much.

“I'm an absolute newby in potting and I have much to learn, but this was friendly, informative and as technical as I could ask for.”

Thanks for your great feedback, Phil. Remember if you are inspired by this, join us for the second workshop, in March. See the Noticeboard for details. At right: Neil Hey considers the kiln stacking before firing can commence.

EXHIBITION NEWS

Kam Hamilton Exhibits at Liffey CPA member Kam Hamilton has an exhibition at the little Lincoln gallery, Down By The Liffey, of her recent ceramic work. Kam’s exhibition will run until 9 February, at 1 James Street, Lincoln.

Invitation to Exhibition and Sale If you wish to receive a private invitation to an exhibition of pottery for sale that has been collected over the past 50 years please email Pam at drawbridge.studio@xtra.co.nz.. I will then advise you of details regarding the exhibition.

CPA Exhibition 2014

Jenny Taylor and Mary Lou Foate would like to introduce themselves as the co-convenors for this year’s exhibition. Organisation will begin shortly, and we will be looking for people to form a committee to plan and run the exhibition. If you would like to help, please contact Mary Lou at foate.verrall@xtra.co.nz.

CPA Newsletter Jan-Mar 2014 6

ALICE ROSE WORKSHOP OCTOBER 2013 - REVIEW

Alice’s evening on Friday 11 October was an amazing introduction not only to her range of talents, but to Alice as a person, and to the effect which her astonishingly-creative family had on her development as an artist. Although she describes herself as a clay sculptor and painter, she considers herself as a painter first – a painter who works with clay.

Because of this, our very first task at the workshop was drawing, which was fun, but a challenge for those whose drawing experience was a bit rusty! However Alice was always helpful and encouraging, keeping an eye on what we were doing. Part of this exercise explored the drawing of ellipses of many sizes and shapes. It became clear that the ellipse is a critical element of her work and we were to learn how to use it to create a piece of pottery which is two-dimensional but, when finished, becomes an optical illusion in three dimensions. To quote Alice: “The vase is a drawing of itself.”

Alice showed us how to make the two-dimensional form of our pots using clay slabs and then to shape the vessel’s open top – the all-important “ellipse”, so that it related effectively to the outline of the object. For some of us, this involved a huge mental leap and a totally new view of the clay form, to understand that what we were creating was an illusion.

The result, together with the painting of the piece with slips and stains on raw clay, was absolutely intriguing. Sometimes, it was necessary to touch the pots to make sure they really were two dimensional! It was amazing to see the pieces made over the weekend, and no one was in a hurry to leave when it came to an end.

Below: A selection of the optical illusion vessels created by the workshop participants

Obituary: Daphne Challis Daphne, who died on 17 September last year, was a member of Bishopdale Pottery group for many years, and more recently, joined Canterbury Potters when it became clear that the Bishopdale clubrooms were no longer

available. Daphne came to our Wednesday sessions a few times, but health problems made clay work difficult, so she was not able to continue.

However, the Bishopdale members have wonderful memories of Daphne, who was always an active and supportive member. She would walk in with a big smile, bringing friendship and laughter to everyone there. She

was well known for her delicate handwork. Daphne loved her garden and this showed in her pottery, her designs often incorporating leaves, flowers and birds. We envied the special green glaze she created and used

to such good effect. A last lovely memory of Daphne was time spent chatting with her in the herb garden outside Canterbury Potters

with the yellow roses in bloom. We will always miss her. - Mary Lou Foate

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50 YEARS OF POTTING AT CPA CELEBRATED IN HIGH STYLE

Lots of potters turned up to celebrate the 50th anniversary of CPA at the recent high tea organised at our clubrooms. The sun was shining, bunting hung from theplum tree and there was bubbly to welcome everyone who came to reminisce, show their favourite pot and read newspaper clippings about CPA's bygone days. The clubrooms were squeaky clean, looking their best after earthquake repairs completed in April and lots of pots from the Avice Hill Collection and the Clubs collection were unearthed from safe keeping, and on display, waxed firmly in position.

It was very moving to see the long standing members attend and meet and greet each other, many after not potting for years but excited to have the opportunity to share clay and talk pots for the afternoon. Many photos on display depicted past events, the Potter's Olympics, exhibitions and famous potters who visited the club over the years.

Our President, Ngarita Wright welcomed everyone and introduced Rosemary Perry, who gave a wonderful speech, recounting times past and exciting everyone by showing some wonderful pots she had collected and also one bought recently in a market, made by a potter in Canterbury around 1918! Jim Pollard talked briefly about the CPA base at the Christchurch Arts Centre but had acquired the premises from Avice Hill as a little cottage and then built the present spacious clubrooms on the site. He expressed gratitude to Avice Hill for travelling to the UK many years ago and purchasing a comprehensive collection of British pottery, like a "snapshot in time" now on display as the Avice Hill Collection.

We also owe a tremendous debt to the founder members for taking the leap of faith to accomplish this. Grant Banbury and Rex Valentine also spoke, and a short quote (below), was read by Jane McCulla.

"Earth, Air, Water and Fire. These are the ingredients of pots and human beings alike, and each formula contains also the element of Chance...do not seek perfection in pots or people, for your search will go unrewarded and you will miss knowing many good pots and many good people..."

The form for the celebration was a high tea and the committee, organised by Anne Deegan and Jane McCulla had cake stands galore, stunning pottery platters by past potters, all bountiful with delicious food. There were pottery teapots and jugs brimming full, creating a wonderful display of beautiful, hand made functional ware. There was a slab of clay primed for all to impress their thumbprint as a "Thumbs up for Clay" that will be glazed and fired to display at the rooms in addition to tiles members had made over the past two months that have been mounted, creating an eclectic mix of techniques and creativity.

Each guest received a chocolate strawberry presented on a porcelain, transparent glazed tile with an impressed "CPA 50th". The flowers looked voluptuous in beautifully crafted pottery vases that helped to set the scene.

This event was a lively and memorable one, evoking a sense of the good old days but also communicating that the club, today, is in good hands with a proactive committee at the helm. Well done to all involved!

Some of the more than 70 guests enjoying high tea while listening to the guest speakers. Review and photo from Jane McCulla.

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JANE McCULLA’S MUSINGS ON FUN WITH KIDS AND CLAY “Think of all the things made of clay in our daily lives…” is the first question to the children in my class at the beginning of term. Hands shoot up as their brains tick away suggesting the various, usually obvious, items made of clay, tiles, plates, cups and bowls… I then prompt, “What about bricks... teeth veneers, hip joints and heat shield tiles on space rockets?” Their mouths drop open and they are entranced!

Clay for me is a wonderful substance, malleable and recording every touch by human hand. Children have a hands on, can do approach, not side tracked or worried about technical methods, they MAKE with clay! This naivety produces exciting and wondrous delights! With a few basic rules outlining the importance of no air gaps and good joining techniques their imagination knows no bounds. I remember attending a talk by the late Simon Carroll, a ceramicist from Cornwall who said his time spent teaching blind children was invaluable. They relied heavily on their sense of touch to mould the clay. He learnt so much from this, not to be precious about material or form, to be loose and let it happen, coaxing creativity from the brain to render through fingertips uninhibited.

At classes using the pottery wheel there are the inevitable wonky pots, from playing, inability to centre and contortions of small people to physically press the wheel pedal and control speed. I am always conscious of my first attempts and the frustrations but I try to impress the fact that when learning anything, we as humans take time to fathom the technique and persevere. No one person knows it all; we are constantly in learning mode.

In Christchurch many children were traumatised by the seismic events and I find it encouraging hearing parents tell me how much their child has settled down or become more focused, finding it easier to concentrate since beginning pottery classes. One little kid has acquired a kick wheel and is preoccupied making pots. His parents have installed extra shelving in his bedroom to display his growing collection. He has been coming to pottery for over two years so has quite an array, ranging from a dinosaur pencil holder to a thrown bowl with duck feet.

Recently I organised a public art project, encouraging adults and children alike to paint a “Lyttel People” tile contributing to a Community Land Art Mandala for Lyttelton’s new Civic Square. Such an eclectic mix of underglazed tiles, there are Ninjas, six pack guys, firemen, mini me people and even a diagram of internal organs painted by a surgeon taking part. I honestly hope he is a better surgeon than a painter! The ceramic tile mandala is over three metres in diameter with over 500 hand cut tiles. Passers-by delight in examining each tile in the form of a little person, very different, some demure, some shouting out, “look at me”, some plain hilarious.

When I led painting sessions at local schools I was struck by the children’s creativity, their passion to get involved. As potters we have responsibility to outreach, share the joys of clay in times of mass production and a glut of cheap imports it is important to showcase work that is not overworked, but to appreciate the handmade, the unique, individual expression. I remember witnessing a robot making a tea cup at the Wedgewood factory in Stoke-on Trent. It was soul destroying! I am driven to make with clay, and, share the passion, especially with the younger generation. Otherwise, hands on creative skills will be lost to cost cutting and modern technologies.

Applied art education opportunities are dwindling. The next generation will possibly not be exposed or have the opportunity to get their hands dirty and throw a pot. It is a cliché but I think it is important for us as humans and especially our children to be in touch with our primitive side, the natural elements and our individual creativity, not entirely focused on electronic screens dependent on the flick of a switch!

Top: Little houses made by the children. Above: Izak’s dinosaur

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Adults’ Classes

There are adult classes on Monday evening, Tuesday morning, Tuesday evening, Thursday morning and Thursday evening. Contact the tutor to reserve your place. Clay and other materials may be purchased from pottery suppliers or from the tutor. A small charge is made for glazing and firing.

Monday 7-9pm Starting 10th February-7th April 5th May-30th June 21st July-15th Sept 13th Oct-8th Dec

$110. 00 per term payable at the first class. Term is 9 weeks. Wheelwork, form, function, glazing and the firing of students work each month.

Frederika Ernsten 03 3135209 frederika@cyberxpress.co.nz Email is preferred way of contact.

Tuesday 9.30-11.30 am Starting 4th February and finishing 27th May 2014.

All aspects of clay work taught from beginner to advanced. 15 week term with 2 week school holiday break. $170 per term.

Margaret Ryley 03 3138406 margaretryley@clear.net.nz

Tuesday 7-9pm Starting 11th Feb-8th April

6th May-1st July 29th July-9th Sept 14th Oct -9th Dec

From beginners to advanced. Hand building, press moulding, throwing and glaze techniques are the focus of this class $ 110.00 per 9 week term.

Terry Gallie 03 351 9623 terrypot@xtra.co.nz

Thursday 10-12 am Starting 13th February-10th April 8th May- 3rd July 24th July-18th Sept 16th Oct- 11th Dec

$110. 00 per term payable at the first class. Term is 9 weeks. Wheelwork, form, function, glazing and the firing of students work each month.

Frederika Ernsten 03 3135209 frederika@cyberxpress.co.nz Email is preferred way of contact

Thursday 7pm-9pm Starting 6th Feb 8th May 24th July 16th Oct

Adult hand-building class, exploring various techniques and surface treatments. Considering form and suitable scale of pieces. $95 per 8 week term.

Jane McCulla 0226353911 janemcculla@gmail.com

Kids’ Class There is a children’s class on Monday afternoon. Contact the tutor to reserve your place. All materials and firings are included.

Monday 4.00-5.30pm 6 week term 3rd Feb-3rd Mar 5th May-2nd June 21st July-25th Aug 13th Oct-17th Nov

Introducing different techniques, making pots etc and having lots of fun! The cost is $80 per 6 week term

Jane McCulla 0226353911 janemcculla@gmail.com