February 2024
FEBRUARY 2024 | ISSUE #041
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Hello Potters
President’s Report
It’s been a busy start to the new year with lots of exciting pieces already coming out of the kiln.
The committee held its first meeting for the year with a focus on what the year ahead should look like, some really exciting plans are already forming so stay tuned - to begin with February and March will bring a cleaning bee, Sunday Social session and thanks to SAS Art an opportunity to enter your 3D piece into their Sandgate Easter Art Show.
We are also looking forward to an influx of excited new members joining us soon so please make them feel welcome and help them find their feet in the studio.
Happy potting
Suzanne
Memberships are opening
Memberships open Saturday 3 February
The SPCI website will contain a link to join via the Helloclub website.
Memberships are $52 or $26 concessional for the year.
Induction for new members will be held at the studio
9am Saturday 10 February
Membership renewals
Time is running out to renew your membership. The last day is 29 February. Email shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com or come down to the studio Saturday 10th February 10am to 1pm if you need assistance.
Annual General Meeting
Save the date Sunday 7 April 2pm
As we have changed our financial year to end 31 December we need an AGM to review the financial report for the entire 2023 year.
It’s a fabulous opportunity to have a say in your club and we have lots to share and for you to vote on, so please add it to your diary today.
Have You Activated Your Membership for 2024?
shorncliffepotteryclubinc.helloclub.com
Hello Club is the portal that we manage our membership database (new and renewing) as well as events through, and hopefully more things in the future.
It is important that our members activate their account as Hello Club is the only way our current members will be able to renew their membership for 2024, along with signing up and paying for courses and workshops etc.
ACTIVATE DON'T CREATE! It is also important that you activate your account and don't create a new one. All members have been pre-loaded into Hello Club so you can continue on with your current membership number, but with just over 20% of our memberships to still activate their accounts we urge all members, particularly if you intend to continue your membership, to contact us now by email or come down to the studio Saturday 10th February 10am to 1pm if you need assistance.
shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com
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 documentation or you can request a copy from the Membership Officer here or read it here.
Shorncliffe Pottery Club Inc. uses 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 (there’s one across the road from the shed) and use the unique ID number for the deposit. If you forget the number just take the recycling money and pop it into the tea jar in the shed’s kitchenette.
Club’s ID Number: C10465553
amount recycled to date:
$231.51
thank you!
Don't miss out! Submit your work to our annual Emerging Artist competition! This competition is open to all ceramic artists, both US and international, who have been actively pursuing a career in ceramics for 10 years or less. Selected artists will have their work published in the May 2024 issue of the magazine. The deadline is February 9, 2024! For more information or to submit your materials click through the link below. Hurry.
SAS Easter Art Show
Is Not Too Far Away
Only 8 weeks to our artistic friend’s - the Sandgate Art Society’s annual Sandgate Easter Art Show on from March 29th – 30th. That’s getting pretty close so get planning and potting asap. Show your support for the local talented artists and potters, by entering some ceramics in the show, or by simply popping along to see the exhibition. Everyone is welcome.
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 is on at the Callan Centre in Pier Avenue, St. Patrick’s College, Shorncliffe 4017.
29 March 9:00 - 5:00 and 30 March 9:00 - 4:00
Opening Night Thursday 28 March 6:30 - 8:30pm
Entries close Friday 15 March
Entry details are available on the SAS website.
Clay Gulgong
Is a biennial event that takes place in a region of north-western New South Wales, that is globally recognised for its strong links with the field of ceramics. Mansfield Ceramics is committed to bringing the best national and international artists to the beautiful town of Gulgong. So put it in your diary the next event is scheduled for:
15–21 April, 2024.
For further information:
We have popped all the tips, hacks and techniques that have been published to date in these newsletters onto a ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can refer to them easily.
How to Choose a Pottery Wheel
Looking to buy a pottery wheel? There are several points to consider before you purchase;
Your skill level and speed – the speed of a wheel is directly related to the skill of the potter using it; the faster the wheel head rotates,
the more experienced the potter needs to be.The size of the pieces you wish to throw – if you plan to make large ware in the future, you will need a wheel head that can take heavy
amounts of clay i.e. larger wheel head, thicker shaft, speed lock control.The space that you have available in your studio – there are different sizes of wheel and the selection will depend upon the floor space
that you have.
Wheels also come in various styles of propulsion like kick, momentum and electric. Kick and Momentum wheels have been used since 4000BC. Today the wheel is normally driven by a form of electric motor, allowing the potter to concentrate entirely on their hands and the clay as they work.
There are three main methods to get your pottery wheel turning. There are pros and cons to each, so it’s up to you to choose the one that best fits your preferences:
Belt drive – The electric motor is attached to the pottery wheel using a belt, similar to a chain on a bike. Belt-driven pottery wheels are typically smaller, lighter, and more affordable, but belts wear out over time and will need to be replaced. Luckily, maintenance on belt-driven wheels is pretty straightforward, since all the components are separate. The motors are also less powerful compared to a direct-drive wheel.
Direct drive – The electric motor is attached to the wheel itself and spins using a magnet system. These wheels are much stronger and more responsive than belt-drive units, but they’re also heavier and a bit more expensive. While they might cost a few more dollars, they’re also much more reliable. A direct-drive pottery wheel will likely last a lifetime.
Kick wheel – If you’re not a fan of fancy modern electrical devices, or you plan on throwing where there’s no access to power, you can choose a kick-wheel setup. Kick-wheel pottery wheels have a spinning platform under the wheel. You spin the platform with your feet as you work to maintain and adjust the speed of the table. Without the motor, these are the most affordable pottery wheels, but they also take the most work and practice to use effectively.
When choosing a pottery wheel for beginners, an electric-powered wheel is best. If you can spare a few extra dollars and don’t need to move the wheel around as much, a direct-drive unit will give you the most power, longevity and responsiveness.
An example of new electric wheel prices 01/2024:
Shimpo Wheel RK3E VL Whisper $2800
Shimpo Aspire Wheel RK5TF $1350
Venco Wheel No3 Series ll $1915
Venco Wheel Direct Drive Series ll $2530
There are other brands however these two have fantastic reputations in quality of build and longevity of service.
You can find cheaper brand pottery wheels all over the internet, but there’s a good chance they’ll break or you’ll outgrow them quickly. It’s always a good idea to choose a quality wheel that will support your pottery hobby and let you grow your skills.
Secondhand wheels come up for sale every now and then on Marketplace and Gumtree and range in price from approximately $600 to $1200 depending on condition and age.
Our New Committee
President: Suzanne Bell
Vice President: Rose Kelly
Treasurer: David Grugeon
Secretary: Amy Stevens
Committee Members:
Ken Bull, Barbara Fletcher, Clare Houston, Melina Wales
Newsletter Editor: Ed Trost
edtrost1961@gmail.com
email: shorncliffepotteryclubinc@gmail.com
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