Exhibition of ceramics and glass at Port Isaac

For the second year the CCGG mounted its Springtime exhibition at theChurch Hall in Port Isaac and the sterling efforts of members resulted in a stunning presentation of the wide variety of work undertaken the CCGG. The valuable success and experience of this exhibition and its management will certainly help us with future selling events for the membership. For copies of the photos email westcliffpottery@btinternet.com

AGM and John Maltby

There has been a change of speaker for the CCGG AGM on 10th October at Ladock. Tim Andrews can't make it so we have booked John Maltby. He's giving an illustrated talk about his work and demonstration. AGM starts from 1.30 ( with pasties) John Maltby 2.00 - 3.30 , and AGM 4-5pm
John Maltby was born in Lincolnshire in 1936. He studied at Leicester College of Art and Goldsmith's College in South London and went on to teach art.In 1962 he joined David Leach at Lowerdown Pottery in Devon. He started his own workshop at Stoneshill, near Crediton, Devon in 1964 and has remained there since. For twelve years he made domestic wares and studio pieces in earthenware, stoneware and porcelain, and then discontinued the kitchen and tableware in favour of one-off pots.John's work is characterised by the decoration, often contrasting dark and light areas of colour, and its sense of form. He lectures in the UK and abroad, and is exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

OPEN AIR CERAMICS and GLASS MARKET

2 dates 20th August and 10th September
on LEMON QUAY, Truro.
We have booked a licence for the group to trade on Lemon Quay piazza on the above dates. As last year each day will be in the style of a French provincial town ceramics/glass market, this will be a selling direct to the public day, hopefully fun and profitable. We shall be open to the elements.

The requirements for each applicant are:
Provide his/her own table (6ft x 3ft max) and cloth to cover surface, dropping to ground to hide storage boxes and tied to stop flapping in the wind.
Be responsible for his/her own display, sales and packaging.
May provide own protection from the elements (Gazebo or umbrella) if desired (carefully weighted down on pavement, and you are liable for its safe use).
Cars and small vans only on the quay, must be removed and parked elsewhere by 8.30am and not return until 5pm.
You can book for either or both days.
Booking form

David and Margaret Frith

Don't forget to book to see David and Margaret Frith at Tremough, Falmouth
Saturday 16th May 2009 10am - 4pm
members £15, non-members £20
Contact Fran Osborne, Fraddon Pottery, Chez Nous, Fraddon Cornwall TR9 6QO

Exhibition of Ceramics and Glass

Masterclass with David and Margaret Frith

Saturday 16th May 10 am – 4 pm, Design Centre, Tremough Campus, University College, Falmouth
David and Margaret Frith set up their first workshop in 1963. Their reputations are well established. David with his mastery of the potter's wheel makes majestic pieces decorated with his personal style of waxed motifs under heavy reduction overglazes and glaze trailing. Margaret concentrates on individual porcelain with carved decoration or coloured glazes as well as producing a comprehensive range of domestic ware and decorative stoneware. Both are Fellows of the Craft Potters Association and David is a selected member of the Crafts Council. They both have work in many private and public collections and exhibit widely in the UK and abroad.
It should be an informative and entertaining day and will include a talk, and demonstrations of throwing and decorating from both David and Margaret. For more details of their work go to http://www.pottery.demon.co.uk/
There is great interest in this event – so book early, tickets are limited.
Cost to CCGG members £15, non members £20

For booking details email njphillips@clara.co.uk

Use of Expressive Colour and Perspective with oil pastels

A workshop run by Julia Rowlands
Sunday 26th April 10am – 4pm The Institute, Market Place, Padstow PL28 8AL
The use of stunning and vibrant colours by the Expressionist painters, is the inspiration behind the techniques on this course. The oil pastel sketch is used in the field or in the studio from photographs as a preparatory tool for painting because of the unlimited possibilities to experiment with colour. A sketch provides the freedom for bold mark-making and playing with intensive colours.
The day course covers:
• An introduction to the colour wheel and its use.
• Gives the opportunity for all levels to be dynamic with intensive colours. Mixing complementary colours and layering and how effective and simple sweeps of colour can describe elements in our landscape; light and shadow, depth, form and texture.
• A personal exploration of colour and the expressive use of your own colour palette
• A demonstration
Materials to bring:
(Acid free) sketch book, Wetwipes(or similar) to clean hands
Kitchen towel. Please bring your own lunch ( tea and coffee provided)
IMPORTANT the pastels do not wash out of clothes

Julia Rowlands work can be seen at www.cryofthegulls.co.uk

Cost to CCGG members £15, non members £20

For booking details email njphillips@clara.co.uk

Simon Moore Talk

Simon Moore will be giving an illustrated talk on craftsmanship the design process, and his work in glass and ceramics. Saturday 14th March 2009 11am - 1pm at Design Centre Tremough Campus University College Falmouth. Cost to members is £5 non members £7.50
There are still places available. Replies with stamp addressed envelope please to:-

Fran Osborne,
Fraddon Pottery,
Chez Nous,
Fraddon
Cornwall
TR9 6QO

or phone
01726 860206

British Ceramics Biennial

This prestigious new award scheme is open to professional designers, makers, artists and companies who have been working in the UK for at least 2 years.
Submission is free.
Initially please send images of examples of your work - these need not be the pieces you would hope to exhibit
Deadline for applications: 16 March 2009
Full details and the application form.

Ceramico Colours

Ceramico Colours will offer a 5% discount to all members of CCGG from their price list items, on all orders under the value of £100. For orders over the value of £100 a 10% discount will be offered.
To qualify for the above discount you must give your membership number when placing the order. Ceramico's details can be found on www.ceramicocolours.co.uk Tel/Fax: - + 44 (0) 1782 812598 E-mail:- mail@ceramicocolours.co.uk , or catalogue from Enterprise House, Moorland Road, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST6 1JQ

Wildlife painting and drawing course

Wildlife painting and drawing course with Jennie Hale at Longham Pottery, Coryton, Okehampton.
Full details

Discounted Pottery Supplies

Discounted Pottery Supplies from CTM Exeter

“Although we hope that you find our prices to be the most cost-effective in the country, we would be pleased to offer a 5% discount on all raw materials, frits, clear glazes, coloured glazes, underglazes, tools, decorating slips, kiln furniture and clays at Exeter collected prices subject to CC&GG members quoting their membership number at the time of order.
See.... CTM Pottery Supplies web site

Ceramics Course at Harrow

We have just heard they are proposing to close the Ceramics Course at Harrow.
If you would like to add your name to the E Petition protesting at the closure of Harrow Ceramics Degree Course then follow the link.

Studio visit & demonstration at Port Isaac Pottery

January 20th 2pm - 4pm
Cost £7.50 ( £10 non members)
We have been invited by Barbara Hawkins to look around the pottery that she and her husband Bill have run for many years at Port Isaac. She will also demonstrate some decorating techniques during the afternoon.
Barbara has unique artistic & decorating skills working both on clay and canvas. She met Bill at art school over 30 years ago when she was training as a graphic artist and he as a potter. They have built up a partnership working together in Port Isaac. Their home/studio is the old Methodist Chapel next to the harbour and the original organ and galleried seating area are intact.
Michael and Barbara are fellows of the Craft Potters Association
"All of our pieces are handmade to the highest standards and we take pride in the high quality of our work. Precious metal lustres and gold are applied and each piece has at least three firings in both our electric and oil-fired kilns. The bold and elegant forms complement the watercolour-style decoration, which are often inspired by our local surroundings. The small harbour, the fish, the local flora and fauna provide unlimited design potential for both the form and decoration of our pottery."
Venue - Port Isaac Pottery, The Old Chapel, Roscarrock Hill, Port Isaac, Cornwall ,PL29 3RG (North of Wadebridge – take B3314, north Cornish coast road out of Wadebridge, then B3267) Its advisable to park at the top of the village and walk down to the harbour, pottery is close by.

Social Invitation from Westcountry Pottery

Westcountry Potters has sent an invitation to any member of CCGG to join them at their Post-Christmas get-together social lunch, Sunday 25th January 2009, Café du Parc, Burton Art Gallery & Museum, Kingsley Road, Bideford EX39 2QQ, 12 for 12.30pm. Lunch costs £16 with an excellent menu.
After lunch, there will be a short talk in the upstairs workshop by Harry Juniper, about the history of North Devon pottery in general, and his traditional scraffito harvest jugs in particular.
If you would like to come to the lunch, please email karen24edwards@aol.com for details and a booking form, which must be returned no later than Wednesday 7th January 2009, together with cheque made payable to Westcountry Potters Association. Cheques can be dated in January if you wish.

Aberystwyth International Ceramics Conference

If anyone is interested in going to the International Ceramics Conference on 3rd to 5th July 2009 in Aberystwyth (cost £166 inc. accommodation) CCGG has 3 spare tickets. Please contact Andy Nicholls 01841 520992 andrewnicholls517@btinternet.com for more details.

A Celebration of Wood-firing

A weekend workshop
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th April 2009
Following on from the success of April’s “Salt & Soda” weekend workshop at the Whichford Pottery, just north of Oxford, this two-day event, supported by the CPA will feature practical master-classes, talks and seminars by several of Britain’s leading exponents of wood-firing. Guest potters already confirmed are Charles Bound, Svend Bayer, Nic Collins and David Garland. Places on the Weekend Workshop are limited, so early booking is advisable. Cost £125 (£100 CPA members). Lunches, coffee, tea and home-made cakes included.
To book a place, or to find out more, please contact the Octagon team.
Whichford Pottery, Whichford, Nr. Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5PG.
Telephone 01608 684416. Email theoctagon@whichfordpottery.com

A new wood-fired kiln has been built at Whichford, in readiness for the workshop weekend. It was fired for the first time recently to cone 10 reduction and the fired results are very encouraging. It will be fired on the Saturday of the workshop weekend, (by John Jelfs) and opened on the Sunday.

The weekend, which is supported by the CPA, will be fun and informative with something for everyone interested in hand-made ceramics. Comments at the last Whichford workshop (Salt & Soda) included:

“Great venue, great programme and organisation”
“Lots of info and friendly potters to talk to”
“Absolutely wonderful! Kiln aspects as well as talks and demos made a rounded programme.”
“A total buzz from start to finish.”

This weekend also marks the opening of a major exhibition of wood-fired work (with a preview for workshop attendees) on Saturday April 25th. As well as the guest potters, exhibitors will include Ben Brierley, Ray Finch, John Jelfs, Adam Keeling, Jim Keeling, Stephen Parry, Phil Rogers, Robert Sanderson and others.

For Sale

Potterycrafts Topworker kiln P5959, 6.2 cu ft, 3 years old, in very
good condition. Comes with two shelves, props, digital controller,
brand new spare set of elements. £950 ono.

B178 Millacron 11 cone drive wheel. 3 years old, in excellent condition as neither of us can throw! £300 ono.
Contact Craig and Cat for more details

Report from Rosemary Cochrane

Dear CCGG Members,
It is a delight to keep in touch with you and when I heard you were holding your AGM in St Ives, with hot pasties followed by a tour of the Leach Pottery, I couldn’t resist asking if I could “tag along” and make it a weekend break in St Ives! Thank you so much for your group’s friendly company. I hope you will enjoy a short report I have compiled and which will be published in South Wales Potters’ newsletter in the future.

Combine an Indian Summer, B & B with a view of the sea, a plethora of art and craft galleries, exhibitions, paintings and pots to die for, time for the necessary indulgence of endless beach combing and sketching, fish and chips on the harbour wall, a garden haven of wonderful plants and even more wonderful sculptures, a restored museum and working pottery …. you’ve guessed? I could only have been in St Ives in mid October!
The Leach Pottery
It has been well publicised that The Leach Pottery in St Ives was rescued from neglect and semi dereliction by the Bernard Leach (St Ives) Trust. With help from the Penwith District Council they finally secured £1.7m for the restoration project. The original pottery and cottage are now listed buildings and the wood-fired climbing kiln is a scheduled ancient monument. The Old Pottery and Museum, new workshops and exhibition space were officially opened to the public earlier this year.

We were shown round the Old Pottery by Joanna Wason who, together with one of our group, Nic Harrison, reminisced about the days they had worked there. The clay store, throwing room, a small corner where the original Leach kick wheel still stands, seem to be just as they always have been. I could so easily visualize the space alive with turning wheels and wet pots. The old fireplace, where many a philosophy and glaze property would have been discussed, seemed to be whispering tales of some of the most important and influential potters of the 20th century who worked and visited The Leach Pottery. In an adjacent room the climbing kiln, built in 1923 and used until the 1970’s, stood quiet, with the flames and heat of past firings long gone. Imagine
the many thousands of pots which were unpacked from the chambers, many must still be treasured by their owners.

Jack Doherty was appointed Lead Potter at the beginning of the year and he talked to us about his own work in the loft studio. There he has set his wheel in the same place that Bernard Leach worked, under the window that looks down the road towards the town. The sense of part of the continuing tradition of studio pottery at St Ives clearly means a great deal to Jack. He produces his own pieces in porcelain for soda firing and has designed the soda fired standard ware to be sold at the Leach Pottery. The newly built ground floor workshop and studio has space for up to four potters and four MA students who will share their time between working for themselves and making pieces for the standard range. At present two MA students have been taken on.

The main and current Exhibition, The Bernard Leach Story curated by Emmanuel Cooper, was displayed in a new building dedicated to changing exhibitions. Another room was filled with John Leach’s pots, both his individual pieces and the Muchelney Pottery kitchen and table wares. Outside a timber walkway leads to the gallery and shop and it was a delight to linger on the wooden bridge that spans a gravelled space set out with planters and bamboos: a Cornish Japanese garden. In the gallery “Formed in Fire” showed new pots from eight kilns. The outstanding piece for me was a soda fired open form by Gail Nichols, rich with flashes of rich terracotta and tangerine surfaces and brown orange peel drifting into the inside of the bowl where a pitted, soft grey surface coated the concave sides.

Across the car park there are three new kilns: a small soda kiln a much larger one and a good sized kiln for stoneware reduction firings. The first results were, Jack Doherty reported, pleasing and the future results are anticipated with great enthusiasm.

Described as the iconic site for potters all over the world, the Leach Pottery in St Ives has to be on the “must visit “ list of potters and anyone who loves clay. I would have gone even without the temptation of the CCGG and a hot pasty.

Sutton Taylor and Michael Sheppard
The New Millennium Gallery was almost a last minute choice to visit over the weekend. But what a glorious unexpected treat was in store for us. Sutton Taylor’s lustre ceramics are for me the crème de la crème of this wonderful, complex glaze effect. Beautifully displayed in acres of quiet white space on two floors of this gallery, his large bowls, tall bottles and slab containers pulsated with vibrancy that only lustre can bestow. On the walls, near the pots, the paintings of Michael Sheppard hung in symbiotic elegance. As lifelong partners, the common creative inspiration of Sheppard and Taylor has been the love of Cornwall and the ever changing Cornish landscape. The juxta position of the lustre ware and abstract paintings was clearly not contrived in any way but was inspiring beyond description. I have to say that sometimes the amazing visual impact just takes your breath away and words are as impossible as they are superfluous. If I had sent you a post card it would have simply read: “Wish you were here!”
Rosemary Cochrane
Nov. 2008

VISIT TO SVEND BAYER’S POTTERY

VISIT TO SVEND BAYER’S POTTERY and Pre Christmas Sale
And John and Jan Mullin’s Pottery
SATURDAY 29TH NOVEMBER
Back by popular demand, we will be returning to Svend Bayer’s studio for his annual sale, at which you should be able to acquire wonderful examples of work by this renowned potter at bargain prices. We shall also have the opportunity to see his remarkable wood fired kilns, in which his work is fired to cone 12 over a period of about four days. The pottery is at Duckpool Cottage, Sheepwash, Black Torrington, North Devon Ex21 5PW and is best approached from Highampton on the Holsworthy to Hatherleigh road, turning left to travel due north, passing straight through Sheepwash village square, continuing for about 1.5 miles to Filleigh Moor, grid reference SX 485086. Please aim to be there at 10.30 am.
Lunch will be at the Half Moon at Sheepwash 12.30 –2pm
There has been a change of plan in the afternoon. Clive Bowen is in France that weekend, so instead we go on to visit John and Jan Mullin’s pottery at September House, Parnacott , Holsworthy , Devon EX22 7JD For details of John’s work click here
Please contact Jenni Phillips on 01579 345860 or njphillips@clara.co.uk if you are intending to come. Please try to share transport where possible. If I can, I will link up those who want to share lifts.

"Shine" Christmas Fair

CCGG member Viv Robertson of Gweall Teag Ceramics will be participating in the "Shine" Christmas fair at Trelowarren Gallery.
This runs from Friday November 28th to Sunday 30th.
Further details from:-
shinefair@cornwallcrafts.co.uk tel: 0781 317 0612

Committee changes

The CC&GG committee was slightly changed at the AGM.
Chair Jenni Phillips
Vice-Chair & Glass Rep Jill Whittaker
Treasurer Carol Scott
Membership Secretary Danka Napiorkowska
Secretary Nicky May
Events Barbara Bell, Frances Osborne, Jon Whitten, Penny McBreen, Andrew Nicholls, Nina Ducker.
Website Barry Marshall-Johnson
Webmaster Andy Titcomb