Reference
Reference
Archived Material
NewsPotters
Front Page Features
Directories
PottersAssoc'ns & Guilds (UK)
Assoc'ns & Guilds (Intl.)
Art Weeks & Open Studios
Galleries
Museums
Information
Submit to Potters DirectorySubmit to Associations & Guilds
Featured Articles from Front Page
Barry Guppy was the winner at Hatfield Art in Clay Festival 2010 of the Studiopottery.co.uk Excellence Award
Images provided by Andy McInnes,Art in Clay (left Barry on his Stand, right Barry with Andy McInnes)
Barry was a worthy winner, with a wonderful display of current work and a history of excellence going back into the 1970's. Art in Clay 2010 was yet again a very successful Festival with around 200 potters and ceramic artists showing their work. For anyone wishing to see and feel the diversity of Clay and the artistic merit of many top potter/artists from Britain and Europe, or just to enjoy a day amongst friends and have a chance to chose a piece of work that you will enjoy for its style creativity and uniqueness for a long time - next years show should be in your calendar.
Previous Winners include: Deirdre Burnett, Geoff Swindell, Ian Rylatt, Chris Lewis and Eddie Curtis
Studiopottery.co.uk welcomes images to publish, provided they have approval to publish on the web. We will also publish topical articles with images attached (at no cost for members, or charitable organisations) and generally will list exhibitions and events sent to us at no cost, subject to space and resource.
FOR SALE
Classified Adverts Good to hear that a wheel and banding wheel was sold from our classified section last week! Keep the adverts coming, they are entirely free for a basic advert!
Interesting set of Ceramic Review Magazines now on offer! Together around 26 years of issues starting in 1972 and with a gap going through to 2003!! Works out at about a pound a copy - quite a bargain!
Members Work Shaun Hall has just completed the sale of three pieces offered from the members FOR SALE section, which now attracts more than 1,000 visitors a month looking for new work to purchase
There are many, many thousands of homeless or orphaned children around the world. I have just re-visited the harrowing film about some of Zimbabwe's children. The Charity below appears to be one that makes a big difference to children throughout the World, including Zimbabwe:
New! Members Work for Sale!
A new service from Studiopottery.co.uk to celebrate its 10th Year!
In the year of its 10th Anniversary, Studiopottery.co.uk is starting to provide a new and exciting element to the resources it offers to visitors and members.
We are now offering a place where everyone interested in buying great quality Contemporary Ceramics can see and buy new work from our members.
All that is needed is to view the 'work for sale' then despatch an email from the page with the work that is of interest, which will go through to the Maker, who will then contact the potential purchaser.
This is a new and possibly unique way to buy new contemporary ceramics. Not only will there be over time a very wide range of choice from our members, but:
- you will buy directly from the maker
- you will be able to discuss the work you wish to buy
- ask questions, about how it was created, possibly see other images
and then complete your purchase directly from them.
Like everything on Studiopottery.co.uk this service will grow and develop slowly over time, reflecting feedback from members and visitors.
We have always believed in quality and service as the key parts of providing an information source linking makers of Contemporary Ceramics and everyone interested in learning more about this fine Art form. And it is Art! From the humblest cereal bowl or mug to the largest installation - have no doubt this is ART! From some of the earliest Jomon makers, some 10,000 years ago to the most sophisticated contemporary maker - 3 dimensional with the excitement of unlocking the senses in not only sight, but touch, colours, textures, forms; a sensuous range. Art that one can drink from, eat from, stand back and admire, get close and communicate with.
In buying a piece of Contemporary Ceramics the purchaser is sharing with the maker and with makers down the ages the joy of creation - of something useful, something beautiful, something created from the very fabric of the earth that we walk upon.
Our main aim at Studiopottery.co.uk this last 10 years has been to help share this excitement with as many people as possible - worldwide - and in doing so help in a small way to encourage a greater recognition of this great craft and art!
To see more go to the 'For Sale' section or see the makers profile pages:
Eddie and Margaret Curtis
Jenny Beavan
Summer shows in 2009 and Studiopottery.co.uk in its 10th Year!
There have been a wide range of fairs and exhibitions of ceramics this summer, with some great new work to be seen. Lisa Hammond (pictured) was publicising her "Adopt a potter" scheme which has now achieved successful placing of a first apprentice and is now gathering funding for another. Richard Godfrey has spent 5 years developing an exciting new group of work, which I saw for the first time at Art in Action in July.(centre image)***
Andy McInnes is shown below announcing the awards at the 15th Art in Clay at Hatfield in early August.
John Higgins was at Hatfield with some of his newly developed work.
Studiopottery.co.uk Award for Excellence
Studiopottery.co.uk presented an Award for Excellence to Eddie Curtis, the fifth year of the AwardWe have also made major awards for the International Ceramics festival at Aberystwyth for the last three festivals and biennial awards in the USA at NCECA's annual conference. Minor awards have been small book prizes for London potters winter show.
Richard Godfrey wins Pot d'or at Milsbeek
***13/10/2009 - Just heard - Richard Godfrey won the coveted Pot d'or at Milsbeek when he showed a stand completely taken up with his new work - NO SURPRISE THERE - IT IS BRILLIANT!!! also won first prize at Potfest in the park for the competition 'cultural exchanges' another well deserved reaction to his piece - 'make tea not war' - two conjoined teapots connected at their spouts.CONGRATULATIONS RICHARD!
Studiopottery.co.uk is now in its tenth year
- Ten Years old next April, and we are now assessing how to develop the website for the next 10 years. Questions such as "Has it served its purpose and should be wound up?" "Should it concentrate on more in Britain or develop overseas membership more?" "become more campaigning in approach?" "become a registered charity?" and many other questions need to be considered as we more forward.Your comments/support would be welcomed and indeed are essential as the website has been developed to help promote contemporary ceramics worldwide - and if its not helping - it shouldn't be here!! (I do recognise that I am currently a bit behind on emails for updates - but hope to rectify this fully by mid October!)
Jonathan Garratts' "Off Centre"
Finally I would like to draw your attention to Jonathan Garratts' "Off Centre" article in Ceramic Review - in which he examines the Current Craft Scene and finds it wanting! Perhaps Studiopottery.co.uk has a role to play in this area?
15th Art in Clay 2009 - Opens TODAY and for the week-end at Hatfield - 7,8,9 August 2009
The 15th Art in Clay takes place at Hatfield House, Hertfordshire NOW. Three days for all those interested in Ceramic art and craft to enjoy. The work you will see represents some of the most diverse and interesting to be seen in the UK this year. As the number of people who buy handmade ceramics increases, events like this, that attract casual visitors as well as collectors, go a long way to developing new audiences. Whether you are looking for something for the home or garden the sheer variety of the work on offer at Art in Clay will ensure a unique weekend for everyone
This year sees over 170 exhibitors. There is an exciting mix of new and established talent along side graduate work from various Universities. We're especially pleased to see two South African makers at the show for the first time: Hennie Meyer and Clementina van der Walt.
Mary Rich, Mike Dodd, Clare Conrad, Tim Andrews, Jenny Beavan, Niek Hoogland, Robin Welch, Geoff Swindell, Svend Bayer, Mary Wondrausch, Peter Fulop are just a few of those who will be exhibiting
Demonstrations will be taking place both inside and outside the marquees all weekend. There will be throwing and hand decoration inside the marquees and firing demonstrations in the show arena. A series of talks and demonstrations by skilled artisans working in clay are scheduled to take place in the Lecture Theatre where visitors can get an insight into the skills and background of some of the leaders in the ceramic world.
See event listing with FULL LIST of EXHIBITORS.
SPECIAL OFFER - Print this PAGE
2 for the price of 1 admission for Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th (ONLY) NEW Opening times: Frid. - Saturday 10am - 5.30pm Sunday 10 - 5pm Entry Fee: Adult: £7.50 Senior £7.00 Children 5-15: £3.50 (under 5s free)
Also see : Art in Clay's own website
Studiopottery.co.uk will again be presenting an Award for Excellence to one of the exhibitors on Saturday at about 5.30pm
The winner will receive an invitation to Art in Clay 2010, with a free stand(worth over £400) plus a free years membership of studiopottery.co.uk - Previous winners have been: Deirdre Burnett, Geoff Swindell, Ian Rylatt and Chris Lewis
STOP PressThis year's winner is Eddie Curtis. CONGRATULATIONS EDDIE!
Auction Atrium
A new on-line and traditional auction house based in Kensington in London
Auction Atrium is a London based auction house that holds regular sales of Contemporary Ceramics. Their unique approach combines the roles of a traditional auction
house and an online auctioneer. All lots are available to view at their gallery space in Kensignton, whilst lots can also be viewed on their website and bidding
takes place securely by online auction. The first auction takes place from 4 to 10 June 2009 and the work for the sale is already online for viewing.
This first auction will include over 100 lots of fine British Studio Ceramics by leading figures, including Bernard Leach, David Leach, William Marshall, Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie, Lucie Rie, John Ward and Gabriele Koch. We have included a few examples under their online gallery listing.
For full details of the Auction and to view the 100 lots for sale go directly to: Auction Atrium
We have been delighted to see this new initiative set up and wish them and Marijke Varrall-Jones, who is closely involved in this new venture every success.
Harrow (University of Westminster) IS TO CLOSE its Ceramics Department!
The University now proposes to undertake a phased closure of this world renowned centre of excellence over
the next five years ending in August 2013, it's 50th Anniversary.
Professor Geoffrey Petts,the Vice Chancellor will perhaps reflect on how many other "World renowned" courses the university runs
and how easy it is to destroy something that has a reputation built up over many years for the sake of short term gain.
One wonders how many courses 'that can be stored on a memory stick' have or will be capable of gaining the same world status as the Harrow Ceramics Course?If only the same effort that was needed to work out the justification for destroying the course had been put into ways to market it more effectively to gain additional applicants for the course!
It is still a mystery that there was so little concerted and high visibility support from The Crafts Council, the Arts Council or the Craft Potters Association to seek to reverse this decision or at least persuade the University to delay a year?
Will other remaining Ceramics Courses around Britain take heed from this and look to their own preservation? Perhaps they should get together and discuss how best to protect thier courses from piecemeal destruction. The parable of the sticks comes to mind from Aesop - individually each can be snapped easily - together the bundle is almost indestructible!!
Maybe they should discuss a joint marketing campaign to draw in students? It would be interesting to hear their thoughts!
We will publish constructive ideas if sent them
Finally to all at Harrow who have fought so hard - our deepest sympathy for your loss! All who love Ceramic Art must be bemused and saddened by this short sighted and narrow minded decision.
Comments to harrow@studiopottery.co.uk
Harrow (University of Westminster) Proposed CLOSURE of Ceramics Department!
I was shocked to learn today that after enduring the pain of fire and the huge efforts and expense of rebuilding this fine ceramics centre of excellence, ITS CLOSURE IS NOW PLANNED!!!Kyra Cane, the Course Leader, has sent this URGENT message which I repeat in full
Dear All, It has come as a complete shock to myself and the Ceramics Course Team, that after we have created a beautiful, brilliantly equipped new ceramics department last year, my Management has prepared a case for the closure of Ceramics. This would be carried out in a phased manner, closing in 2013 ( our 50th Anniversary on this site ) with part time students who started the course in 2007. I have not been allowed to revalidate the course as planned this year, and am told that intake for 2009 will be suspended. (Note from editor: JUST HEARD - 26.11.08 THERE WILL BE CONSULTATION!!*)
We will of course fight this decision, however it is with the greatest of regret that I have to let you know that there is a real crisis at Harrow. The staff are now of the opinion that we desperately need a response from the wider ceramics/arts/education community to help us in our plight. If you are willing to help in any way please contact me. Kyra Cane, Sunday 23rd November.
Studiopottery.co.uk will be pleased to help Kyra and if you would like to send your responses to HelpHarrow@studiopottery.co.uk I will ensure that they are passed on to Kyra Cane
I will be contacting her today (25 November2008) to see how we can help - Stephen Dee, Studiopottery.co.uk
*In order to give strength to the consultation process, it will be important that as much external support as possible is made visible by letters, emails etc to the Vice Chancellor to ensure that he is aware of the importance of Ceramics at Westminster to the world at large!
Claudi Casanovas exhibition at Galerie Besson in London. 8 October - 30 October 2008
Claudi Casanovas was born in 1956. He first studied for the theatre in Barcelona, then trained as a ceramist in Olot (Catalonia). He was a member of the Coure Potters' Cooperative from 1978 to 1987. In 1992 he won first prize at the III International Ceramics Competition in Mino, Japan. He lives and works in Riudaura (near Olot) since 1986.His new exhibition at Galerie Besson is entitled "Works from Japan" which were pieces created in the studio of Ryoji Koie in Shitara, Japan. This followed a visit by Koie and six other Japanese potters to Olot for a workshop in 1986, following which Claudi Casanovas, as one of the workshops organisers was invited to travel to Japan.
The eleven works are in mixed stoneware clays and were created in Shitara in 1990 during that visit, they were then exhibited in Tokyo and subsequently stored in Shitara from then until now. This offers a great opportunity to see some superb pieces of Claudi Casanovas work. (information courtesy of Galerie Besson)
Robin Welch at Bircham Gallery in Norfolk.
Born in 1936 Robin Welch has been potting for over 50 years, with a major exhibition at Rufford in Nottinghamshire in 2007. His current pots are freely constructed and may be thrown, coiled or slab built in stoneware, sometimes more than one method being used for an individual piece. He applies a slip before biscuit firing, with multiple further firings for the clay slips, oxides, lustres and enamels used.Apart from making individual pots he spent time with the Wedgwood Group, Midwinter and Denby Potteries in tableware production, including designer work, as well as many individual commissions and teaching residencies in the United States and Australia. He has a well deserved International reputation and his work is widely collected, both in Britain and worldwide and is held in many major collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, The National Gallery of Victoria and the Van Boyson Museum in Rotterdam. Any exhibition of his work is well worth a visit. Robin Welch has a new show in October (from 11 October to 5 November 2008) with new work including the pot opposite. See also images of his very successful at Rufford.
