​The tile competition is off to a great start with many of you busy creating your tile. Thank you, Brent, for organising and running this. It will be interesting to see the results. Please don't think you can only make a tile for the competition; we would love to see all members make a tile for the tile wall.

​The competition closing date is now August 1 st however tiles will be accepted for the rest of that month for the wall. 

We have been informed that clays on back order (November 2020) have now arrived in the country and will be dispatched from Decopots over the next few days. These include White grogged stoneware, Paper Clay and White Speckled Stoneware. BRT and Feeneys White raku are unavailable at the moment. We have supplies of most other clays. We are fortunate that PRGI and PRGF are readily available. PRGI is great for wheel and hand building. PRGF is a good clay for sculpture and large pieces. Shipping clays from overseas has been problematic and I'm slowly building up supplies to avoid shortages in future. It is likely that clay will increase in price due to increases in shipping costs. 

 The recent Committee meeting supported a proposal to investigate the construction and operation of a wood fired kiln at the Racecourse site. The immediate project will be to seek the agreement of the OMRC, arrive at a kiln design and construction timetable. Would Club members who are interested in taking part with Jeavons please email him or the "Secretary" indicating whether you have relevant knowledge or would just like to be kept informed as the details are firmed up. Jeavons proposes to mainly use email and keep face to face meetings to a minimum. 

​Date: Friday 2 July
5.30pm - Dinner.
Please bring something to share.
6.30pm - Neil will talk about Gas Firing, Glazes, Glaze
Responses and open discussion with a Q&A time.

​This is an excellent opportunity for all to gain a greater understanding of how Gas Firing works and how to get better results. Depending on demand, The Otaki Pottery Club will be doing two gas firings per month. Even if you haven't put anything through the gas kilns yet this is a good time to learn all you need to know before you start!
And those who have put things through the kiln and not had the desired results, bring your piece in and Neil will troubleshoot.

New Members - we would love to meet you!

I would like to thank everyone who supported my nomination for club President and especially  to thank Rod for his 22 years as President.  

Rod believed in the club and recognised it as  the valuable community asset it is for Otaki  and the wider region. He led the development  of a culture of creativity, friendship, learning,  sharing of ideas and skills which has meant  the club has grown into a vibrant community  in its own right. 

Clubs are strange beasts in that it is the function  of the club that attracts people to it 

​The BIG TILE MAKING COMPETITION is under way! We would like every member to make one  to commemorate our first year in our new  clubrooms. Please have a go.