April 2023
ISSUE #031
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Hello Potters
Only a week to go before the Sandgate Art Society Easter Show. I hope you entered something, if not, don’t forget to go along and view the exhibition anyway. It should be a good one.
Thanks goes to Linda R. for organising the new club aprons. They look great, but hurry as there are only a limited number of them. One size fits all.
Also take note that the club email address has changed. This was done to hopefully stop so many emails automatically ending up in the junk folder. The new email address is:
shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com
There are also some more useful pottery tips from the ‘Collected 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@gmail.com
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 by debit or credit card at the shed.
From the Kiln Room
We are on 18th firing for the year. Right now, there is a back up on stoneware as the kiln is not firing to temperature – so waiting for kiln refurbishment. Just leave your work on your shelf as there is no room in the kiln room. We should have an idea of what needs to be done to the kilns on 29 March when the kiln repair man is coming to check them out. Hopefully they won’t be out of commission for long. We will keep you posted.
Now for a little pottery trivia.
There are three main types of clay:
Stoneware
Earthenware
Porcelian
Each of these is different and has qualities that distinguish them from one another.
What is stoneware?
Stoneware ceramics are hard and strong and can hold liquid. Stoneware after bisquing is usually fired over.
1200°C to about 1280°C. Different glazes mature at different temperatures within that range. They can also change colours when fired to different temperatures.
Vitrification happens during bisque firing which changes clay particles. Particles move closer to each other during firing and surface particles bond together. This is why it is easier to handle pieces that have been bisqued without breaking them. Bisque temperature is about 1000°C.
Then the next step is to glaze and the temperature of the firing is increased to 1260°C to 1280°C and in some cases higher. The clay after bisquing remains porous enough to accept glazes which can absorb into the clay. During the higher firing the silica, which is used in making glass and becomes molten and moves into the porous holes created during bisque process. The silica should start to become molten around 800°C. Think of a sponge with holes and those holes fill up with a solid material. This next statement is important to remember. Silica is also one of the ingredients which causes Silicosis which is why when sanding pots, or around clay dust, we should always wear a mask, sand outside and clean up with water.
It is this process which creates stoneware pots which are watertight, strong and resilient.
Basically firing in the kiln creates a physical and chemical process that matures the clay from a malleable substance into your durable creations.
More next month on other types of clay.
Linda, Gus, Jean, Katrina, Lynne, Douglas
And Catherine and Gabriel from the glaze room
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 Tamara V. here
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.
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 harassed.
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.
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:
$198.60
thank you!
Club Tuition for Members
by Members
Tuition could be in wheel throwing, handbuilding or glaze making. The rate is $35 per hour. 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 the session.
If this is something that you would like as a tutor or a learner please contact the committee using the club email :
BrisStyle & Ceramic Arts Queensland have teamed up to bring you 2 days showcasing the best ceramists and potters our local community offers.
Discover new talent and explore seasoned makers with years of experience. Meet, support and get inspired by local clay artisans.
Friday, April 28th 4pm - 9pm
Saturday, April 29th 9am - 3pm
The Paint Factory, 115 Hyde Rd, Yeronga QLD 4104
Earth & Fire
by Kylie Johnson and Tiffany Johnson
We are so proud to have written this book highlighting the tools, techniques and practices of over 45 australian ceramic artists. It was an utter joy to create and to celebrate these makers and spread the love of ceramics. Earth & Fire will be released at the end of April….
book launch @qagomastore Saturday 29 April 2023
We will share more info about the book, its artists, and lots of other news closer to the release. but for now… here is what i’ve been hinting at for the past year and what we have been working ridiculously hard creating, meeting deadlines on and writing… it is both real and surreal holding the actual book in our hands…
Earth and Fire has been so lovingly championed and created with the amazing team at Thames and Hudson Australia and we are so proud to announce that it will also be released in the UK and the USA.
Mother’s Day Stall
Sandgate State School P&C will be holding a Mother's Day stall next term on Thursday 11th May, where students can buy a gift for their Mum or special person in their life. Money raised will go towards buying home readers to support the school's new approach to literacy, as well as pump installation for two water tanks.
To help make it a success with having lots of affordable gift options (free to $10 - so all kids can afford to get something), Sandgate State School P&C are asking some local businesses to please consider donating goods that can be sold.
Donation drop off point:
If you would like to donate a small piece of pottery, or two, please leave them in the marked box in the side room.
Thank you for your generosity.
Clay: Collected Ceramics
A celebration of contemporary ceramics
and their imaginative makers.
From ancient vessels to figurines revealing the daily lives of people from antiquity, ceramics have been integral to cultures worldwide for millennia. Ceramics have stored our most precious resources, have been vehicles for knowledge and traditions, and passed between generations as heirlooms.
Clay: Collected Ceramics is a celebration of ceramics from two collections: Museum of Brisbane’s and Kylie Johnson’s. It is accompanied by Commune, a display of single pieces contributed by more than 300 makers responding to MoB’s largest community callout to date.
Congratulations to the SPCI Members who have successfully entered and will be displaying their ‘memory vessel’ as part of this wonderful exhibition.
Right now, the medium of ceramics is experiencing a cultural renaissance across the globe and we want to celebrate its impact in Brisbane.
Exhibition details: Free entry
Gallery 2, Level 3, City Hall
Saturday 13 May – Sunday 29 October 2023
Open daily 10:00am–5:00pm
Sculpting Tools
Kmart has 9 piece and 11 piece sets of clay tools for $4.50 and $9 and roller stamp designs for $4. So take a look next time you are shopping.
SAS Easter Art Show
Sandgate Art Society are very excited to announce that the annual Sandgate Easter Art Show will be on from April 6th – 8th. So show your support for the local talented artists and potters by simply popping along to see the exhibition. Maybe even buying some local art.
There are three categories - 2D, 3D and Photo / Digital, and each category has three awards. There is also a Best in Show award.
The exhibition will be held in the Callan Centre, Pier Ave, St Patrick’s College Shorncliffe. Details are available on the SAS website.
Opening night Thursday 6 April 6:30 to 8:30
Bluewater Festival
Organised by the Sandgate & Bayside Chamber of Commerce, the famous Bluewater Festival held at Shorncliffe Pier is one not to be missed and a memorable day out with family and friends.
The festival is held on the scenic foreshore at Shorncliffe in conjunction with the annual Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. It’s a perfect vantage point to watch the start of this iconic race plus an opportunity to see the Multihull Yacht race start up close off the Pier.
Moora Park, Shorncliffe is jam packed with entertainment through the day with live bands, kids workshops, rides, food and markets all culminating into a beach party and fireworks in the evening.
Scattered Arts 2023 Art Competition
Entries close 5 June 2023
Email scatteredartsbrisbane@gmail.com for details.
With a first prize of $20 000, the Lethbridge Art Award is open to national and international artists for small-scale artworks. Entrants may submit 2D or 3D artworks up to 61cm (24 inches) in height, width or depth. The Judging is based on three equally evaluated criteria of creativity, originality and skill.
Date Prize Announced
24 June 2023
Exhibition Dates
17 June 2023 - 27 June 2023
2023 Immanuel Arts Festival
25 to 28 May 2023
Friday and Saturday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
Sunday: 9.00am to 2.00pm
The Immanuel Arts Festival is a celebration of fine and contemporary art and is the largest of its kind on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It has showcased the artistic talents of our region for over 40 years and draws more artist entries and visitors each year. The Festival proudly promotes visual, creative and performance art within the Sunshine Coast community and will be held at Immanuel Lutheran College.
Save The Dates
Australian Ceramics Open Studios (ACOS) is an annual, nationwide, weekend event that celebrates clay, community and creativity.
Hosted by The Australian Ceramics Association, ceramics studios around Australia open their doors to offer a peek into their making, practical demonstrations and the opportunity to take home a handmade piece.
NOTE: Expressions of Interest for opening your studio will open in May 2023.
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.
March 2011
A pizza cutter may be used in conjunction with a straight edge or ruler to produce clean lines when cutting slabs - you do not get the annoying crumbly bits a needle produces and it does not drag and distort the clay like a knife does.
April 2011
Oiled stamps: when you require intricate, unpressed decoration from metal, wood or plastic stamps, coat these with vegetable oil and they will easily release with no clay stuck in the stamp's fine detail.
June 2011
Old Tupperware storage containers make brilliant boxes to keep small clay pieces in when you want to keep them wet. Have found that after 12 months clay is still the same consistency. They can be bought very cheaply at secondhand stores and markets. Cheaper brands work nowhere near as well and over time the lids split.
August 2011
To prevent underglaze or overglaze coloured decoration from smudging, spray over the decoration with a light coat of hairspray, wait until dry, and spray again. This seals the colours and decoration can then be handled without damage. Lemonade or a solution of sugar and water sprayed over colours is also effective. The sprayed medium fires out.
Photo courtesy the pottery wheel
President: Douglas Ainsworth
Vice President: Ken Bull
Treasurer: Tamara Vitale
Secretary: Rose Kelly
Committee Members: Suzanne Bell, Barbara Fletcher,
Linda Rosenthal, Gus Saunders
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@hotmail.com
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