6 - 27 September, 2008

During September work by 18 members of the WPA is on show at an exhibition at the prestigious Mid-Cornwall Galleries near St.Austell.

Exhibiting potters are Liz Challis, Russell Coates, Harriette Dickinson, Karen Edwards, Ali Fife, Michael Gaitskell, Doreen Gardner, Tim Gee, Don Hudson, Lynda Jewell, Arwyn Jones, Suzie Marsh, Frank Martin, Ama Menec, Lea Phillips, Viv Robertson, Tony Smither, Hiro Takahashi.

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm
www.midcornwallgalleries.co.uk

Contact 01726 812131 for more information

11 October 2008

WPA visited Ridge Pottery earlier this year, when Douglas and Jennie hosted Paul Stubbs’ extruding demonstration. Douglas has agreed to a return visit, when he will talk, show slides and film about his wide-ranging travels and pottery experience, as well as throwing and finishing pots to demonstrate some of the extensive range of forms and techniques he makes and uses. Douglas is particularly adept at different ways of making large thrown forms.

Douglas and Jennie have been producing woodfired stoneware, made and decorated with locally sourced materials, since the 1970s. They also run classes, notably the week-long summer schools which give students the opportunity to participate in woodfiring their own work. For more details about the courses, see the website www.mud2fire.com.

‘Having been involved with building a coal-fired kiln and a kickwheel as a teenager at school in the early 1960s, Douglas has hardly stopped potting for a moment since. His love of woodfiring started in 1966/67, with observing firing and helping to build a wood kiln in central France. His need to work with materials out of the ground was strengthened by two periods of working with Michael Cardew. His interest in the old ways of working clay, kilns and glazes has been fed by working trips to the USA, Mexico, Malawi, Japan amongst others.

After nearly 50 years as a working potter and 40 years of running his own show, he is the first to admit he has so much more to learn, which maybe one reason he has so much to teach’.

Numbers for this visit will be limited to 15.

Venue: Ridge Pottery, Queen Camel, Somerset BA22 7NF, 10am for 10.30am start - 4pm approx.

Cost: £15.00 for members, £18.00 for guests

on karen24edwards@aol.com for more information

15 November 2008

Workshop visit to Elizabeth Smith, Millhead House, Millhead, Bampton, Devon EX16 9LP, Saturday 15th November 2008, 10.30am for 11am start – 4pm approx

The saying ‘We wouldn’t be where we are today” definitely applies to Elizabeth, an initial mover and shaker and founder committee member of WPA some 15 years ago. She has recently stood down as chair of MACC (Members and Associates Advisory Committee, CPA) but expects to continue close involvement with that group.

Following a long career in lecturing in ceramics, art and theatre design, Elizabeth now focuses on her own ceramics, working to commission and selling through galleries and craft fairs. Her work will be featured in the Members’ Showcase at Devon Guild of Craftsmen’s Riverside Gallery at Bovey Tracey from Saturday 1st November to Tuesday 2nd December 2008.

She works in white bone china, a very demanding medium but one which combines strength, delicacy and translucency. Inspired by time spent living, working and travelling in the Middle Easts, her work is informed by the pattern and order of Islamic architecture, arts and crafts. ‘Bold, elegant forms are complemented by …burnished and textured surfaces that explore pattern and light’. Pattern making, using her own hand-carved stamps, together with additional textured papers or fabrics, is a central process. The thin clay slabs are cut into shapes, using carefully worked-out templates, then placed into or onto clay formers. Thrown elements such as feet, handles or lids are added where appropriate, then the work is thoroughly dried before single firing to 1240C.

The day will include explanation and demonstration of many of Elizabeth’s techniques, as well as the opportunity to make a stamp. Numbers for this visit will be limited to 20. Cost: £15 for members, £18 guests.

on karen24edwards@aol.com for more information