October 2022
ISSUE #025
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Hello Potters
Expressions 2022 exhibition IS ON. If you haven’t gotten along to it yet, better get going as it finishes at 2pm this Sunday. It is well worth seeing – there are some amazing artworks and pottery so don’t miss out. It is the perfect opportunity to purchase a unique gift or item for your home. The 4017 Bayside Open Studios is also coming in a couple of weeks – so get your skates on and get ready. If you haven’t already, put your hand up to volunteer for the 4017 Bayside Open Studios. Contact the committee on the email below and let them know you are willing to help for a couple of hours or more.
There are also some more useful pottery tips from the ‘Creative Wisdom’ newsletters further down that may make your pottery life much easier. Plus we have popped all the tips, hacks and techniques onto a ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can refer to them easily.
We really want to see our talented members’ work, so upload your pics to our instagram or facebook page, or email them for inclusion on social media.
Ed Trost - newsletter editor
club email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Hi Everyone and welcome to our October 2022 edition.
Expressions 2022 - Wow, what a fun opening night! Congratulations again to all the winners, thank you to all the entrants, and gratitude for all our sponsors and to everyone who came along to support the artists by viewing the exhibition and who also purchased a piece of artwork or two! Your purchase directly supports the artisan who made it, allowing them to create more original pieces of work. Finally, the biggest thank you of all goes to our 8 members who volunteered their time to form an event organising committee, and/or who helped with set up/pack up and supervising sales tables at the exhibition.
I hope everyone reading this will come along and view the exhibition over this weekend, and if you can’t make it check out our socials over the weekend and see the review, including a list of all the winners and sponsors, in the next edition of the newsletter.
4017 Bayside Open Studios - 15, 16, 22 and 23 October. 4017BOS is the next event on our radar. Members, if you’d like to volunteer to provide a wheel throwing or hand building demonstration, or if you have pieces you’d like to show/sell in the club’s temporary ‘4017BOS gallery’, then please let Linda know and use the forms on the glaze table to sign up ASAP!
SPCInc AGM - Yes, we are at that time of year again - Annual General Meeting time. The date is still to be set, but likely in mid-November. Members, when the date is set you will receive an email from the club’s Secretary advising all the details. We will be needing some new members on the committee this year, so if you are interested in any of the positions but would like to know more information on the small responsibility required, please send us an email!
Cheers and happy potting!
Tamara Vitale – President, SPC Inc.
Tuesday + Thursday + Saturday Mornings
9:00am—1:00pm
Wednesday Mornings
10:00am—2:00pm
Thursday Evenings
6:00pm—9:00pm
SESSION FEE
$7.00 per visit, payable at the time by debit or credit card at the shed.
From the Kiln Corner
As I write this on September 25th the last piece for Expressions was just taken out of the kiln and picked up a few hours ago.
We will be running are 73rd and 74th kiln firing for the year this coming week. Potters obviously keep potting and Jean and I keep loading up the kilns and firing.
We have had a few disasters lately. A midfire glaze was used for a stoneware firing. This resulted in glaze running and ruining two shelves. Gus was kind enough to come down and help me grind glaze off the shelves which are now bat washed and cooling down in the big kiln. So, they will be ready to use again soon but not as good as they were prior.
So PLEASE, PLEASE double check clay and glaze used and make sure they are compatible with the firing you are putting them in.
Just saying ‘club glaze’ is not sufficient. You must write down earthenware, midfire or stoneware glaze. This helps us all have a clear picture of what is going in the kiln. It is easy to make mistakes which is why it is always good to double check. So far I haven’t been charging for shelves which get glaze on them due to using the wrong glaze or putting too much glaze on. But I am going to start as it really adds to the workload in the kiln room and can be so easily avoided.
Tamara saved us from another disaster as we were in the kiln room at night and caught a snake weaving around and over some pots on the unclaimed shelves. She flicked his tail aside and pushed Katrina's pots back as they were teetering on the edge of the shelf. Whew. I think she is braver than me.
The big snake who has been living in the vent over the red shelves appears to have moved on as Gus (my hero), blocked off the vent. He was last seen coming down from the backroom and heading out to the garden (the snake, not Gus). Hopefully that will be the last we will see of him. Though I assume he will return.
Don’t forget 4017 art tour coming up. We are hoping people will set up a table outside for sales or have things we can set up in the backroom gallery. We still need a wheel throwing volunteer for both Sunday afternoons. Let me know if you can help us out.
Gus, Linda, Jean, Catharine and Gabriel
4017 Bayside Open Studios
Any help is much appreciated.
The club is registered to be part of the 4017 Bayside Open Studios. Last year was the first time the 4017 postcode participated in this event and it was a great success. This year’s dates are the weekends 15/16 October and 22/23 October. Members will be able to be part of it by sharing the pottery shed to display works for sale and by demonstrating pottery techniques to the public.
Please let one of the committee know if you are able to help in any way. And a big Thank You to the people who have advised that they can help.
For more information on the Open Studios see www.4017baysideopenstudios.com
EXPRESSIONS 2022
IS ON!!!
Dates
Friday 30 September – Sunday 2 October 2022
Location
The Callan Centre, St. Patrick’s College, Pier Ave, Shorncliffe
Artwork pick up
Sunday 2 October
2pm - 3pm
Do you know anyone that shows an interest in your pottery?
If you do, why not invite them to come and try pottery for themselves. The first session is free and you know that once you have made something with clay…
you’re hooked!
Gift Certificates Available
The SPCI Gift Certificate is now available for purchase from the Membership Officer. If you would like to purchase this wonderful gift contact Ann G. here at: shorncliffepotteryclubincmembership@hotmail.com
Club Clay Options and Details
These are the current clay bodies that we generally have in our store. If you have another clay that you prefer, speak to Linda R. to see if she can get it in for you.
Being Respectful, Feeling Safe
The club’s Code of Conduct was written to guide the safety and respect of members. Developing friendships, being co-operative, sharing ideas and skills as well as being respectful to each other in words and actions is something in which the club takes great pride. When members are working in the studio or interacting with other members via electronic means, everyone has a right to feel safe and not harrassed.
The Code of Conduct can be found in your membership document or you can request a copy from the Membership Officer here or you can read it here.
A Few Missing Pieces After Firing
There have been a few lost pottery pieces after recent firings at the shed. If you have inadvertently found that you have someone else’s work on your shelf just let the supervisor know of the error. Or if you get home and find you erroneously have someone else’s work just bring it back in to the shed on your next visit. No dramas.
Last Chance to Buy Raffle Tickets
1 ticket for $2 or 3 tickets for $5.
Buy them from the club supervisors or at Expressions 2022.
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. has signed up with Containers for Change - a simple recycling system for cans and bottles. It’s easy to do. Take your recyclables to a Containers for Change site and use our unique Scheme ID number for the money from the recycling to go directly into the Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. bank account.
Club’s Scheme ID Number: C10465553
If the Scheme ID isn't working (argh technology!) and you get cash instead from the recycling machine, just pop the money in the tea jar in the club’s kitchenette.
amount recycled to date:
$165.90
thank you!
‘More Hand Building With Gabriel’
is finished
The hand building workshop with Gabriel has finished with everyone learning a lot as well as having a load of fun. Look out for the budding new potters in the shed soon. And watch this space for future workshops.
Club Tuition for Members
by Members
Tuition could be in wheel throwing, handbuilding or glaze making. The rate is $35 per session for up to 3 hours, but could be less dependent upon session length. From this, the club will take 20% commission. All payments must go via the club.
The club entry fee of $7 will apply for the learner member, but the tutor will be admitted as a volunteer for that session.
If this is something that you would like as a tutor or a learner please contact the committee using the club email : shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
Did You See It?
Series 5 of The Great Pottery Throwdown has finished
Wasn’t it excellent? What talented people we potters are! Because of its popularity the show is able to to be viewed on demand at Foxtel. So you can relive the magic or catch up on episodes you may have missed.
A stunning Melanie Ferguson ceramic sculpture - Handbuilt stoneware, sgraffito through underglaze. Courtesy International Ceramics Network
Vale Uncle Jack Charles
In a statement, his publicist said the Boon Wurrung, Dja Dja Wurrung, Woiwurrung and Yorta Yorta man, also had links to several other clans across south-eastern Australia, “passed away peacefully at the Royal Melbourne Hospital after suffering a stroke.”
"We are so proud of everything he has achieved in his remarkable life — Elder, actor, musician, potter, activist, mentor, a household name and voice loved by all — as is demonstrated by his numerous awards including the NAIDOC Male Elder of the Year.
Uncle Jack learnt his pottery skills in prison, where he then in turn taught the art to other inmates. (ABC News)
"May he be greeted by his Ancestors
on his return home."
To all our valued members who are having a birthday this month, we hope you have an exciting day and are spoilt rotten by your loved ones:
Karen Cassidy, Jillian Kelly, Blair Mclellan, PJ McClelland, Sarah Schulz, Carolina Schleimer, Margaret Underdown, Letsma Vijayan, Tim Zhu
If we have missed anybody, our sincere apologies – drop us an email so that we can include you next time!
Currumbin Beach last month saw the annual SWELL Sculpture Festival now in its 20th year. Among the 70 sculptures installed along the beach and the foreshore was one of mine ‘A Hole in the Head’ (pictured), as well as charming pottery by MonteLupo and a large ceramic installation by Lea Kannar-Lichtenberger. It was a brilliant festival with some amazing art, if you didn’t get to go, here are a few highlights – to see more check out the SWELL website to view all of the sculptures online.
4017 Bayside Open Studios
15 – 16 & 22 – 23 October 2022
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. will again be open to the public with demonstrations and items for sale, for both weekends. If you wish to participate in this fantastic opportunity to show or sell your wares through the club contact the committee using the link below, to let them know of your interest.
4017 BAYSIDE OPEN STUDIO INCLUSION LINK
Also, we need volunteers to demonstrate hand building and wheel throwing and to help manage the studio during the two weekends. So put up your hand if you can spare some time across any of the four days.
VOLUNTEER HELP FOR 4017 BOS
Brad Pitt and Nick Cave
Make Surprise Art Debut
Hollywood's Brad Pitt and Australian musician Nick Cave have debuted as artists in an exhibition in Finland that displays sculptures and ceramics. “Pitt and Cave are already renowned in their respective fields of cinema and music, but this is the first time ever they have exhibited their artwork" the Finnish museum said.
Brad Pitt's works include a house-shaped structure moulded in clear silicon and shot with bullets. Nick Cave produced a series of ceramic figurines that depict the life of the devil (pictured below). Finnish media reported that both men acknowledged being excited and nervous about presenting their art in public for the first time.
The 58-year-old Pitt, reportedly began making ceramic art following his divorce from Angelina Jolie in 2017. He told the Finnish public broadcaster that his work was about "self-reflection".
Cave, produced a series of ceramic figurines that depict the life of the devil. He designed, painted and glazed the 17 figures between 2020 and this year. "I wanted to do a devil because it was red. And I like the colour of red glaze," Cave said. "Eventually I decided to make the life story of the devil itself. "For me, personally, it speaks into something about the idea of forgiveness or the need to be forgiven.”
Group Photo with Cher Shackleton seated in the centre.
WA Woodfire Conference 2022
By Clare Houston
Through a series of fortunate coincidences I was lucky enough to be able to participate in the Woodfire WA 2022 Conference which ran from the 12th of September through to the 17th. It was based at Capel and Nannup, south of Perth at venues organised by Cher Shackleton.
There were around 30 participants at the conference whose ages ranged widely from 18 years upwards. A wide range of experience was also covered and I found everyone very friendly and happy to share their knowledge.
The week was a wood firing and pottery whirlwind, starting with packing a salt kiln and Cher’s Chezzagama wood kiln at a farm in Capel. After the packing of the kilns there was an amazing demonstration of throwing and attaching handles by Ian Dowling. It was the smoothest handle that I have ever seen made, and it was attached and pulled with only a few movements. Ian made it look so easy!
We then fired both kilns simultaneously with two teams working next to each other, and firing the wood kiln through the night. The salt kiln fired in about 15 hours from an early morning start, and the wood kiln took much longer, two nights and two days, about 50 hours in all.
While the kilns cooled we moved location to a property at Nannup, about one hour’s drive south. There we took part in a pit firing under the direction of Mary Wallace, and packed the brand new train kiln.
There were throwing demonstrations by Ted Secombe, who made working with porcelain look so easy, and he showed his hand positions when touching the clay which I found really useful.
Warrick Palmateer was also doing throwing demonstrations. As a TAFE teacher, he was able to give easily understandable explanations about how he was moving the clay on the wheel.
Jackie Gasson from the Sunshine Coast was on hand to advise everyone on applying slips and glazing their pieces and she directed the Raku firings also. Cher Shackleton was overseeing the obvara firing and the horsehair and feathers style Raku.
Stuart McKay showed us how to build a fast fire kiln that he has developed. It is a wood fired kiln made from a 44 gallon drum that can fire to cone 10 in your backyard. There were a lot of people who were keen to have a go at making one for themselves. Stuart also oversaw the firing of two of the fast fire kilns and was on hand to advise us on the best stoking patterns and the best kind of wood to use. There was also a project to make a primitive kiln from fireclay and straw in an adobe style which fired small figurines made from clay.
Jackie Gasson also discussed glaze making, how various ceramic materials melt, and ways of combining them. Her samples were eagerly pored over, and many questions were asked and answered.
Cher Shackleton demonstrated some very interesting hand building techniques, and some ways of working with clay that I would never have thought to try, like using a peg of clay and a stamp to reinforce a join.
Mary Wallace demonstrated her techniques of carving clay and she described her apprenticeship with a Korean master ceramicist whose carved vases sold for as much as a small car! Dan Webb then showed us how to make the carving tools and how to sharpen them.
Martin Baxter talked up through his salt glazed pots and described different effects on clay bodies.
Ted Secombe and Warrick continued with throwing and trimming sessions. They set up next to each other in Cher’s studio and it was great to listen to them chatting with each other and with the participants. They are both very skilled and great teachers, but also humble and with great stories to tell.
The final day of the program was when all the kilns were opened, and the pots were laid out to be discussed and photographed.
It was an amazing week, with great people, and I feel like I learned so much.
Thank you so much Woodfire WA !
Click on images below to enlarge and for captions
50 Years of Handy Hints
We are fortunate to have received a very useful book titled “Collected Wisdom – 50 years of handy hints” from the Ceramic Study Group, Australia supplied to us by Clare H. from her trip to Gulgong. It is a collection of tips and techniques gathered and published in their newsletters since the 1960’s. Each month we will delve into this vast archive of information regarding all things ceramics and bring to you snippets of their collected wisdom.
APRIL 1989
To save opening a jar and washing a brush when joining pieces of clay, keep some slip in an old squeeze sauce or mayonnaise bottle. After scratching the edges to be joined, squeeze some slip from the bottle onto the area and press together.
When a large coil pot starts to slump, put a piece of cloth around it and pin the cloth with straight pins. The cloth will hold the pot in place and absorb excess moisture.
Hot wax can be difficult to control. If the wax is too hot, or the brush is too heavily loaded, a wax run can occur. If this happens on a bisque pot the wax will be absorbed, and scraping will not get rid of the wax. This can be solved by rubbing the effected area with petrol and working it in. A perfect elimination can then be achieved.
JUNE 1989
Large garbage bags with a hole cut in the middle of the bottom and one on each side make excellent throwing 'smocks' and black can look quite stunning!
Transferring your design - draw the design you wish to appear on your clay surface onto a sheet of tracing paper. Then with a free running non–permanent felt tipped pen go over the outline on the reverse side. Press the paper down right side up, on the damp clay form. The inked template design will come off cleanly and clearly.
SEPTEMBER 1989
Wet, squeeze out and freeze foam blocks, then carve a pattern into the foam. Great for printing designs on clay. Alternatively, a heated soldering iron will carve a design into foam. If using the latter method don't breathe the fumes. Work outside with a fan blowing the fumes away from you.
A potato peeler makes a great trimming tool, particularly for the bottom edges of hand built pots.
Blutack is a cheap and effective masking material when applied to bisque ware. It can be used repeatedly without detriment to it or your pots. Remove when the glaze layer is dry, wash under the tap, dry and use again.
Clean telephone calls - answering the telephone when you are throwing can be messy. Solution! Keep an open plastic bag near the telephone into which you can dive your muddy paw before picking up the phone. [editor - an up to date version of this can be done for mobile phones, keep your phone in a plastic bag so that it is protected by the bag]
Tinting hot wax with a coloured candle makes it easier to see.
When breaking down dry clay, hot water works better than cold.
The Importance of Having
a Good Soak
Having a soak (or the holding of the firing temperature) can be very useful in a glaze firing. A soak may last from 15 minutes to 3/4 hour or more. This helps even out the temperatures throughout the kiln, and ensure all the pieces have achieved the optimum temperature. This is particularly useful if the kiln is densely packed. Soaking for too long however can overfire ware, so this must be taken into account.
President: Tamara Vitale
Vice President: Ken Bull
Secretary: Caroline Schleimer
Acting Treasurer: Tamara Vitale
Committee Members: Gus Saunders, Linda Rosenthal,
Clare Houston & Ann Gillespie
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
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