Wednesday, December 10, 2008

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.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

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.

Sunday, November 23, 2008

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

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

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

Monday, November 10, 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.

Tuesday, November 04, 2008

"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

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

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

Friday, October 10, 2008

Kiln For Sale

Hobby Tech 40 - with furniture
Hexagonal top loader 3 KW Max 1300
Interior 15" x 13"
£300 o.n.o
Tel 01209 217305

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

AGM

Just a reminder to those of you who haven't sent your slips back for the AGM/Leach visit ( we have had nearly thirty already) to get them to Penny by next Mondays committee meeting or email Penny Mcbreen

Monday, September 22, 2008

Nic Harrison Ceramics

Moving on – again!
Nic Harrison Ceramics, 73 Meneage Street, Helston, Cornwall, has relocated to Penhale Jakes
Our lease is due for renewal and sadly we have decided not to commit ourselves for another term. We have enjoyed our time in this high street location, making new friends and meeting new and past customers, but we are now ready for another move. My wife Jackie will also be moving her weaving workshop to Penhale Jakes and we will both be able to enjoy the stunning views overlooking the sea towards the Lizard Peninsula, a far cry from the roar of traffic, which passes the Gallery as I write.
Many of our past customers have found us in Helston, not realising that we relocated from Trelowarren in 2005 after 25 years there. Starting out in business in 1980 was not an easy task and each year has bought its highs and lows. Since then, we have shown our work successfully at various events and we still enjoy the direct contact with our customers.
My work has taken a slightly different direction in recent months as I have enjoyed using Porcelain clay, and experimenting with copper glazes. I continue to use stoneware in both the Domestic Ware and Individual pieces.
We intend to sell our work at more shows and exhibitions locally and nationally. These will be posted on the Events page on our website. If you would like to go on our mailing list, for information and invitations to events and exhibitions, please send us your postal address.
The Pottery and Weaving Studios are at Penhale Jakes, which is located between Ashton and Breage 200 yards off the A394 Helston to Penzance road. Visitors are welcome during working hours.
Contact us through the website www.nicharrison.com
Write to us at
Trelowarren Pottery Limited,
Penhale Jakes,
Ashton, Helston,
Cornwall, TR13 9SE.
If you are travelling some distance to see us, then it maybe worth a phone call first.
Telephone 01736 762638.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Pots on the Piazza


11th September 2008
Members will be converging on Truro’s busy Lemon Quay Piazza on Thursday 11th September for a special Potters Market Day.
Nic Harrison from Trelowarren Pottery and Frances Osborne from Fraddon Pottery showing some of the pots which will be on their stalls at the potters Market.
11th October AGM St Ives (Change of venue) plus visit to Leach Pottery - details to follow...

Monday, June 09, 2008

ConTrad Expo


Contemporary and Traditional items
Past & Present TOGETHER Under One Roof!
at The Westpoint Exhibition Centre, Exeter, Devon
Saturday & Sunday August 16th & 17th.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND BOOKINGS TEL DCAF 01363 82571.
The name of this event has changed from the "Devon's Collectors Festival" to ConTrad Expo in order to reflect more accurately the range and exciting mix of Contemporary and Traditional items that will be brought together at Westpoint for the first time.

The new event will allow both regular and new exhibitors the chance to offer a much wider selection of items to buyers, ranging from TRADITIONAL antiques, retro, collectables, furniture and memorabilia, to 20th century CONTEMPORARY art and design, sculpture, photography, pottery, ceramics, studio glass, textiles, lighting, jewellery, and individual items of hand made furniture, etc.
More details

Tuesday, May 13, 2008

Open Studios


This year Barry Marshall-Johnson is taking part in the above event from May 24th to 30th.
If you are in Fowey he would be delighted to welcome you at WESTCLIFF POTTERY 22 Tower Park, Fowey, Cornwall, PL23 1JB.
Tel: 01726 832795
email: westcliffpottery@btinternet.com
www.westcliff-pottery.co.uk

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Craft and Produce fair

Claire Hoskin is organising a Cornish Craft and Produce fair.
The event will be held at the Kingsford venue Flambards in Helston in August.
It will be a 2 day event with the choice to book a 1 day or 2 days and there will be 45 stall spaces available. More details from john.hoskin@btopenworld.com .

Friday, March 21, 2008

New members

Welcome to new members Tim Wayne and Sally Sanderson

Ian Gregory master class


A wonderfully, inspiring day with Ian Gregory demonstrating his skills with clay and discussing his methods.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Lynda Jewell


New member Lynda Jewell
began her career in 1977, training with John Buchanan of 'Anchor Pottery' St. Ives.
She started her own pottery in 1983 in Redruth.
She works with a gas kiln using bright and basic colours- celedon, tenmoku and rutile glazes.

Friday, January 25, 2008

Ian Gregory Masterclass

Saturday 15th March 2008
10 am – 4 pm
Design Centre, Tremough Campus,University College, Falmouth

Ian's Gregory’s work spans a great many areas of ceramics, including salt glazed stoneware, life-size statuary, raku and mixed media installation. He was one of the first potters to experiment with paperclay and he is an innovative and highly original kiln builder His figurative sculpture, both human and canine, have a linear, craggy quality. His experimental approach with materials and processes has enabled him to produce work of great vitality.

“’If the role of the artist is to make the ordinary extraordinary, then Ian Gregory's work exemplifies this ideal.” - Peter Starkey

Join him for a demonstration and discussion about his work, paperclay and kiln firing

Cost to members £15 non members £18

If you would like to reserve a place/places on the Ian Gregory Masterclass
for Saturday 15th March 2008, please send a cheque for the amount and include your name, address, membership no., email or telephone no. and stamp addressed envelope please to
Frances Osborne, Fraddon Pottery, Fraddon, Cornwall TR9 6QU - Tel: 01726 860206

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Save Rufford Ceramics Centre

Outcome of Meeting with Notts County Council, 4th January

Thank you for signing the petition to Save Rufford Ceramics Centre! There are now 1,276 signatories.

On 4th January, Carl Gray and Katie Greenfield, as representatives of the Save Rufford Ceramics Centre (RCC) Petition Group, met with NCC to discuss the petitioners’ concerns. We requested:
1. A 3-month stay of execution at The RCC (Rejected by NCC)
2. Clarification on the detail of NCC’s new model (Rejected by NCC)
3. To run an initial 3-month feasibility study for forming a National Ceramics Centre at Rufford, to build on The RCC’s reputation, embrace NCC’s local aims & objectives and open up new sources of funding for the whole community (Rejected by NCC)
It was apparent in the meeting that NCC’s representatives are in denial that they are custodians of a centre of international repute which is respected throughout the world.
We have written an open letter to NCC, urging them to reconsider.
You can read this letter and a detailed summary of what was discussed at the meeting at the Save Rufford Blog:
To up the pressure on NCC, we need to make more people aware of what is happening. Please ask your friends and colleagues to sign the petition:

In our and 1,276 other people's views to date, NCC's approach is fundamentally wrong and NCC, the community it serves and the UK will be poorer for it.
We welcome your feedback and comments via the blog, the petition forum or on email.
Thank you for your support!
Carl Gray and Katie Greenfield

Monday, January 07, 2008

Celebrating Salt and Soda

Celebrating Salt and Soda - a weekend workshop
Saturday 12th & Sunday 13th April 2008 Informative and FUN, this two-day workshop, supported by the CPA and hosted at Whichford Pottery, just north of Oxford, will feature practical demonstrations, discussions and seminars by many of Britains'leading exponents of salt and soda firing techniques - Jack Doherty, Ian Gregory, Mark Griffiths, Lisa Hammond, John Jelfs and Phil Rogers. In addition, Jim Keeling, famous for his big-ware flowerpots, will throw an enormous pot in stages over the 2 days! Two new kilns are being built especially for this event, and weekend workshop visitors will be able to see firings and openings, and be part of the excitement of vapour glazing. A celebratory feast is also planned for the Saturday night.
The weekend will also mark the start of a major selling exhibition of new work in salt and soda by Sheila Casson, Richard Dewar, Jack Doherty, Ray Finch and Winchcombe Pottery, Lisa Hammond, Ian Gregory, Mark Griffiths, John Jelfs, Toff Millway, Phil Rogers, Peter Starkey, Ruthanne Tudball, Sarah Walton and Alistair Young. The exhibition will be held in the spectacular new exhibition space at Whichford Pottery - The Octagon.We expect great interest from the potting community and places are limited; so early booking is advisable! Plenty of good local accommodation is available, and also camping at the village pub.

Tickets £100 (£80 CPA members & concessions)

Please contact The Octagon at Whichford Pottery, Whichford, Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 5PG

Tel: 01608 684416 www.theoctagon.co.uk

saltandsoda@theoctagon.co.uk