April 2024 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
This group of amazing people unloaded 2.6 TONNES of clay in 30 minutes.
Volunteer Shout Outs
Many hands make (very) light work.
Ngā mihi nui to the members who pitched in to unload 2.6 TONNES of clay on Thursday (28 March). Because of their quick work, not only is the Clay Shop restocked, the driveway was only blocked for about 30 minutes. You all are champions.
Volunteer of the Month: Tony Mahoney
Speaking of champions, this month’s volunteer nomination goes to Tony Mahoney. A WPA member since 2015, you’ll always see him taking out the rubbish and recycling early on Monday mornings, as well as bringing the bin back in from collection day. He also was the sneaky member who repaired the stone wall at the bottom of the driveway after some stones mysteriously disappeared. He can be seen above (facing away from the camera) while unloading clay. Ngā mihi nui, Tony, for all your help!
There is always more to do.
Besides the little green “plusONE” ideas popping up around the studio, we’ve formatted a spreadsheet here so that you can “sign up” for a maintenance task and take care of it in your own time. Please pick an item and take charge, no waiting for a Working Bee!
Some examples of tasks that need doing:
Don’t worry, you don’t need to do these tasks all by yourself! But we do need people to spearhead each task and come up with a solution/finish the task at hand. Tools can be provided and email Peter (sales@rumbles.co.nz) with ANY questions you may have.
You all make it happen.
It takes an astonishing amount of volunteer time to keep the club up and running at its best. Five (or ten, or thirty) minutes of your time here and there makes a big difference. If you see a fellow WPA member doing their PlusONE or beyond, please feel free to nominate them either via the volunteer nomination box next to the sign-in book, or online here.
——————————————————
Members’ Gallery
Is there something you’ve made that you want to show off? If so, please email your photos (and descriptions, if you’d like) to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
Some very spectacular results from Raku Club’s first attempt at an obvara firing.
——————————————————
The Library Team Is Looking for Book Suggestions!
Over the last year, the library team has been working to clear out duplicates, shuffle the shelves, clean everything up and generally make the space nicer. Our goal for this year is to add to the collection, and for this we need your help. If you have come across a book that you think would add value to the library, or others could learn from, just let us know.
All suggestions will be considered by the library team and the committee, so if you can explain why you think the book in question fills a gap in the current collection it will help to make the decision.
Thanks for the help,
Team Library
DID YOU KNOW…?
Are you programmer-savvy?
We’re looking for a person who is computer/programmer-savvy to help us with kiln programming when things are not quite the way we want them to be. Are you that person? Email Admin (wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com) and we’ll get you connected to the right people.
Soup for April
If you have any favourite recipes that you’d like to share, please email wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
-
This is Heather’s (Admin’s) favorite – and easiest – soup recipe from the American classic food bible “The Joy of Cooking.”
INGREDIENTS
1 large butternut squash (1.5kg), cut in half and seeded
3 T butter
2 large leeks, white and light green parts, cleaned, quartered lengthwise, and sliced 1cm(ish) thick
1 T + 1 t minced fresh ginger (jarred works just as well)
6 C vegetable stock (or chicken stock, your call)
Kosher or sea salt (at least 1 1/2 teaspoons)
White pepper
Croutons for serving (optional)
Coriander (leaves) for serving (optional)
Sour cream for serving (optional)
DIRECTIONS
1) Preheat oven to 190C. Place squash cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet, add 1cm(ish) water to the pan, and cover tightly with foil. Carefully transfer to the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until tender when pierced with a skewer or paring knife. Uncover and allow to cool slightly, then use a large spoon to scrape flesh out of skin and into a bowl or onto the drained pan.
2) Melt butter in a medium Dutch oven or stock pot over moderate heat. Add leeks and ginger, and cook until softened, about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep the heat low enough that the leeks don’t brown. Add roasted squash and 4 cups of the stock, bring briefly to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. As it simmers, break up squash with a wooden spoon. Turn off heat and cool for a few minutes, then blend with an immersion blender, or carefully transfer to a standing blender and puree in two batches until smooth.
3) In the pot, over low heat, stir in remaining 2 cups stock, then season to taste with salt (start with 1 1/2 teaspoons) and pepper. Serve with coriander, sour cream, croutons, and more pepper.
PSAs from the Club Admin
Buy your own set of “thicknessers.”
3, 5, and 6 mm acrylic strips. 300mm length, 25mm wide. $20 per set (= 2 strips of each). Pay by EFTPOS to WPA. Contact Peter Rumble (sales@rumbles.co.nz) to order.
——————————————————
$2 minimum for EFTPOS
Just a reminder that there is a $2 minimum for the EFTPOS machine.
——————————————————
“Roof of Rejection” pieces
Our kiln guru would like to remind you all that any pieces salvaged from the “Roof of Rejection” (substation roof) are NOT to be refired in any way in the WPA kilns. There are too many variables that you don’t have control over with a salvaged piece, and the consequences of a melt down/blow up affect more than just your piece in the communal kilns.
As we are no longer recycling bisque, the “RoR” is gaining quite a tempting collection and we are underway to make this a formal WPA policy. Thank you for your understanding!
——————————————————
Clay back in stock!
Now that all that clay has been unloaded, clay stocks have been replenished! There is a permanent 2024 special price on the Primo Standard Stoneware ($39.00 for a 10kg bag). This stoneware is good for both hand building and throwing, and is the one WPA uses for all CEC classes and several in-house workshops.
——————————————————
Free for the taking
As our throwing stools have all been replaced, the old adjustable ones are free for the taking. You’ll find them just around the corner of the main entrance ramp, on the upper car park side of the building. Once they are gone, they are gone, so come grab one quickly if you want one.
Suggestion Box Updates
Thanks for your suggestions in the suggestion box! Believe it or not, the suggestion box is NOT a black void of notes from you all! Suggestions get read, discussed, and logged at the Committee Meetings. Below are the suggestions and outcomes from this month’s meeting (click the “+” to expand).
-
Outcome: we have ordered a subscription of “Ceramic Review UK” for a year to see if it gets used/read.
-
Outcome: acknowledged and under consideration.
-
Outcome: our car park is a public car park and we don’t have a ton of control over it. Please be careful when parking and perhaps use alternative means of transport (bike, bus, Uber). If this becomes a repeating issue we will need to discuss bigger issues with Wellington City Council.
-
Outcome: There is a plan in progress, we promise! We’ve had some turnover in the kiln firing team and that has heavily affected the training schedule. Watch this space…
Upcoming WPA Events
Bring Your Child/ren
26 APRIL, 9:30AM - NOON - The club rooms will be open for 2.5 hours during the school holidays for you to bring your child/ren along to play with clay. No tutors are provided by WPA though so you are to be responsible for your child's behaviour and safety while in the rooms. You must provide all materials and fully supervise their activities, cleaning up thoroughly at the end of the session. Finished art may be fired at WPA - for this event only.
Please SIGN UP for this one-off event. Max of 10 WPA members (with no more than TWO accompanying children, all ages welcome).
——————————————————
Friends and Family Night
26 APRIL, 5:00PM - 9:00PM - This is your chance to bring along ONE friend or family member to see what ceramics and pottery is all about. Christine Winbush will be your host for the evening, however you are responsible for providing clay, overseeing what your guest does, and making sure you have cleaned up after yourselves. You are welcome to bring snacks and a drink to enjoy, too! Come any time between 5pm and 9pm.
Club members are allowed to fire items made during this evening by your friend or family, but must pay for and collect the items promptly.
The event is free to attend but please SIGN UP so that we have an indication of numbers expected on the night. Looking forward to seeing you there!
Note: There will be no Friday Support (Fort)Night this night.
——————————————————
April = Maintenance Bee Time
28 APRIL, 10:00AM - 2:00PM - This is the perfect way for new or time-poor members to make a volunteer contribution to the running of the club. When you arrive, you will be assigned to a task and then have the chance to get to know your fellow members while you work.
Some jobs can be done in advance and these will be written on the whiteboard for those who can't make it on the Sunday.
Volunteering your time or expertise is part and parcel of being a full member of WPA. Come join us for all or part of the session and contribute to getting the club looking tip top!
Sign up below so we can know how many people to expect and can record your volunteer hours. Note, there is no access to rooms for personal projects during this time.
Community News/Events
Did you miss out on Kwak Kyungtae’s workshops at WPA?
Do not fear! Otaki still has some spots available for both demonstrations on Saturday 10 August.
For more information or to sign up through Ceramics NZ click the link below.
——————————————————
Japan Pottery Tour 2024
Join well-known Australian Ceramicist Marian Howell on a trip of a lifetime to explore some amazing traditional and contemporary Japanese ceramic techniques in 5 major ceramic centres, including Mashiko, Bizen and Shigaraki, a visit to spectacular Naoshima Art Island, and Miho Museum, all the while enjoying Japanese food and culture!
Workshops are strictly limited to 15 potters, although non potting partners or friends are welcome to join us. For more information email Marian directly marian.ceramic.tours@gmail.com or click below.
——————————————————
Anyone interested in buying a pottery in France? (Seriously.)
A pottery workshop and gallery in the small historic town of Prats-de-Mollo in the French Pyrenees, is looking for a buyer.
The workshop was created by Alan Baxter and includes the property within which the pottery sits. It comprises a home / main apartment, 11 self-catering apartments and a large garden. In total, the space can they can accommodate over 30 people.
Curious? Check out the website using the button below.
——————————————————
Kiln for sale
The Hutt Art Potters have a McGregor 4.2 cubic foot kiln for sale. It was renovated in mid-2021 with some new brick work and new elements and rods. It takes kiln shelves 16 x 16 inches (not included). It has proved very reliable as a midfire up to 1200°C. They have not tried it above this temperature but as far as they know it will go higher. They are selling it to make way for a larger kiln.
NOTE: There is NO probe or controller and must be removed at purchaser’s cost (BEO $2000)
This is a closed tender process. Closing date 14 April 2024, removal by Sunday 28 April 2024. Please contact Lesley Ranson directly at lesley.ranson.nz@gmail.com.
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 25 April.
Nga mihi for doing your “plusONE” so that WPA stays a thriving space for us all.
(Note: the missing macron above is not a typo, but a disappointing formatting quirk of the website platform.)
