May 2024
MAY 2024 | ISSUE #044
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Hello Potters
From the President
Our AGM was held in March with 21 members attending. That’s only around 11% of our members, let’s try and increase that for our next meeting.
A brief summary of topics include:
# balance sheet and financial situation updates
# review of the year to date including new members, new induction process, Bec taking the role of Workshop coordinator and Sandy cleaning bee coordinator and the success of the Bluewater Festival
# our reliance on volunteers and need for everyone in the club to participate at some level. Review of 2024 participation to be conducted at the end of the year with proposal for the next AGM re minimum requirements and alternatives eg payment instead of volunteering
# re-election of the current committee
# announcement of two new lifetime members, Gus Saunders and Ken Bull.
# theft of club property
# increase in fees for 2025 to $60 full and $30 concessional
# kiln grant
Lots to think about and exciting times ahead
Congratulations Gus and Ken, we’ll deserved
Happy potting
Suzanne
Congratulations to Gus Saunders and Ken Bull for becoming the newest Life Members of the SPCI Club. You may not have seen them around but these guys have been working tirelessly in the background for years and years. Probably too many than they would like to think. Gus a retired police officer has been instrumental in all facets of the club, from fixing and keeping the kilns running, collecting and moving the clay supplies to hosing out the shed after the floods. Without his can-do knowhow we would be in a lot worse shape. Ken is a semi-retired lawyer and has been a stalwart at the club for 15 years. He lost count of the number of Bunning’s sausage sizzles he has done but it would probably be over 40. That’s a lot of sizzle. Ken has also been the reason the club is getting a new kiln as it is his grant application skills that have brought in the money, for which we are all thankful. He is also the driving force and is championing on our behalf for the much needed toilet amenities for the club.
Congratulations again to you both - well done!
Gus (left) and Ken (right)
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.
Create a fridge magnet which celebrates pottery or the Shorncliffe / Sandgate / 4017 area. Magnets will be judged with 2 x $30 club vouchers to be won. They will then be sold at Einbunpin and Sandgate Arts Society Creative Trail with money raised going to the club. So get your creative ideas flowing. See poster above or in the studio
Above is a promotional photo taken by member Amy Stevens showing the very talented Fiona throwing the most adorable mini pot off the hump for the magnet competition. I can’t wait to buy one myself 🤣 Thanks Amy and Fiona, love your work.
Learn + Natter
(workshop + socials)
We are trying to cater for all members of our club, therefore providing workshops on other days, not just weekends. Same with the themed socials. So ensure to check availability on Helloclub. If you're not sure how to do this, please speak with a supervisor at the shed.
We are looking for ideas for what other skills you would like to learn or further develop, so please reach out and provide some feedback.
shorncliffepotteryclubinc.helloclub.com
If you would be interested in hosting a workshop or Sunday (or other day) Social, please contact me and I'd be happy to discuss this further or alternatively, if you would like to suggest a workshop or instructor for a possible workshop, please also contact me.
happy potting
Rebecca Mason
Clay Gulgong
Did anyone go to this event? If so let me know please. Keith Brymer Jones came out from the UK to be part of it. I wonder if there is going to be a Great Australian Pottery Throwdown in the pipeworks?
“What an exhausting but truly amazing week @claygulgong.......... Masters from all over the world giving up knowledge and sharing with the pottery family of Australia.”
Keith Brymer Jones
click on an image to view larger
Now On YouTube
Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail
Calling all Brisbane art lovers! You’re invited to the Tamborine Mountain Arts Trail 2024.
If your creative cup needs filling, or if there’s an empty space in your home that needs a new piece of art... then this is the event for you. Come along, meet and be inspired by our talented local artists, make new connections, learn something new in a workshop, enjoy the fresh mountain air, the stunning rainforests, and all of the lovely local cafes and restaurants. Help us get the word out and invite your friends for an incredible arts experience!
4 - 12 May 2024.
This trail is a free event, we would love to see you on the trail! #TMARTS2024
It’s on again this year. If you are interested in putting some of your best work into the competitions the closing date for entries is drawing near. To enter use the link below to take you to the Arts/Crafts section. Once you log in you will find a range of pottery sections to select from.
Deadline for Entries 24 May 2024
BVAC Pop Up
Come along to the BVAC Winter Wonderland Pop-Up at the
Toowong Arboretum Botanical Gardens
A fabulous weekend of browsing through all the BVAC goodies for that personalised hand crafted treasure.
Pop Up Shop: 7 - 9 June 2024
Trading will be from 10am - 4pm Friday - Sunday
Photo: James Dobson, courtesy of National Trust.
Roman Head of Mercury Found
by Tim Brinkhof - March 7, 2024
Archaeologists excavating Smallhythe Place in Kent U.K., have discovered the head of a small clay figurine of the Roman god Mercury—an “incredibly rare” find according to experts. According to the National Trust’s media release, the Mercury figurine was probably made between the 1st and 3rd century C.E. At the time, Roman polytheism still played an important role in the imperial provinces. Matthew Fittock, an archaeologist at the University of Reading who specialises in Roman ceramics, said such clay figurines “were mainly used by civilians for private religious practice in domestic shrines and occasionally in temples and the graves of often sick children.”
Courtesy ArtNet News
Why don’t you send in some photos and text for inclusion in the club’s newsletter?
Include your name, the title of your work (if any), and a short description of what it is or why you made it.
Meet Angie
and her ‘Goddess”,
truly an exciting piece
of sculpture.
Gorgeous.
We have popped all the published tips, hacks and techniques onto the ‘Tips’ page on our club website so that you can refer to them easily.
Another Use For Toiletpaper?
If you have a substantial crack in your bisqueware you can use toilet paper mixed with slip to fill it in - as seen on The Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown to great effect. One contestant had fired a bowl and it had developed a serious crack near the base. The contestant didn’t have the luxury of starting over so she made a mix of toilet paper and slip and applied that to the affected area before glazing and firing. It must work like paper clay and be quite elastic during the firing process. The result was extremely good considering the size of the initial crack.
So if you have a big crack and you can’t bear to discard the pot, why not give it a go?
Well folks .........what do you do after a 24hr plane journey........you get on the wheel and throw a few pots !
Remember: “Always lock your arm and carry the wareboard on yer shoulder . That way, you can carry anything, no matter how heavy it is.”
Our 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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