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Our next firing is Saturday 7th October 7.45am start
Loading Thursday 5th October 2pm, unloading Monday 9th 2.00pm Please have your work on the gas firing shelves by 5pm, Wednesday 4th October The last kiln firing, August 19th, ran very smoothly with a full gas cylinder and Luci in control. It was another full pack with just a few pieces from Rod and me missing out (again). Lots of glaze samples in the firing prepared by the 'Cooking with Gas' team and we will use the time between monitoring the next firing to set out the display of these. This resource will give everyone an idea about each of the gas firing glazes and how they respond and are modified over most of the clays stocked by the club. The firing results were very good with lots of interesting work, largely blemish free. That comes from taking care with margins at footrings and an increasing use of setters. It was pleasing to have some classwork in the firing. Just one negative point from the firing and that relates to the new Deco buff clay. Faults, variously described as shelling, peeling or shivering, occur when the clay body shrinkage is more than the glaze can accommodate and so flakes off, particularly on edges and rims. It is the opposite fault to crazing. In extreme cases this can result in parts of the body fracturing, the glaze being stronger than the body, and my experience is that this result can be delayed over a few weeks. This may be happening with all or just a few of the gas firing glazes, you will need to monitor your results from your favourite glazes if you are using this clay and feed faults back to the glaze team. We already have these bad results from Nick. My suggestion is that this clay is not put forward for cone 10 firings. So we can highlight the need to understand your clay properties from the manufacturer/supplier. This Deco buff clay has a firing range up to 1280 °C. By our cones we are aiming to fire to cone 10- 1310 °C. It seems then this clay has its structure changed enough during this last 30 °C of our firings so that the clay and the glaze no longer fit. We will hear more about results with this clay if members continue to use it in the gas kiln. This October firing should clear work for the Kapiti Art Trail, which is at the beginning of November. I am expecting another firing early December for your Christmas gifts and for the Festival of Pots at the end of January. Work on the shelves will be monitored for demand for an additional firing over the November - January period but no guarantees about that at this stage.
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 Come and join us for the grand opening of the September Tote Modern Gallery Exhibition, featuring the esteemed Guest Potter Angela Francis and talented Guest Artist Jenny Jordon. Be part of this special event on Thursday, the 31st of August, starting at 5:30pm. This is your chance to have the very first selection from the incredible artworks available. Enjoy a delightful evening reconnecting with friends over drinks and delectable nibbles thoughtfully provided. Your presence would be truly valued!
https://www.otakipotteryclub.org/art-gallery-kapiti.html  We are absolutely thrilled to introduce our incredible guest artists for the month of August: the talented Lyuba Zhilkina and the wonderful Liz Earth.
Mark your calendars for a special gallery opening night on Wednesday! Yes, you heard that right - we've made a slight change to our regular schedule to accommodate Lyuba's busy teaching commitments on Thursday nights. We want everyone to have a chance to experience the amazing artworks these two artists have brought to our gallery. So be in first and join us on Wednesday night to celebrate the captivating artistry of Lyuba Zhilkina and Liz Earth. Let's come together to admire their unique creations and soak in the artistic brilliance that fills our gallery space. Don't miss this fantastic opportunity to connect with their work and maybe even find something special to take home with you. We can't wait to welcome you all with open arms to Tote Modern Gallery this August. See you on Wednesday night! Please be aware that work that is not clearly identified will not be fired. If you are using a makers mark that is not in the kiln book please leave a note on the kiln book so we can add this to our list.
If you are not wanting your work to be placed on top of the kilns prior to being fired please ensure that it is bone dry when placed into the kiln room. With the current season and slow drying times we need to ensure that all work is completely dry before going in the kiln to avoid any disasters. We are looking for some new members of the team to help us with pricing the members bisque once fired. 2 people are needed - if you are interested please contact Rod directly via rodgraham1948@gmail.com This Saturday and Sunday (8th and 9th July) all unclaimed work will be removed from the kiln room and will not be recoverable. Please ensure that you check to see if any of your work is here before then. The unclaimed work is located on the floor under the 1200 glaze shelves, immediately on your left when entering the kiln room. Quick reminder that any refires are charged to your kiln account, as these are still taking up room in the kiln and therefore have a charge associated with this. If you have any work that is being completed and needed for Stargaze please leave a note on this and it will be prioritised for firing. All kilns are now back up and running and the backlog is almost cleared :) Allow 2 - 3 weeks turn around for work being placed into kiln room. Starglaze is currently first priority followed by Member/Class work from last term, Workshop from last term and then holiday programme work. Following Stargaze there will be a clear out of all bisque in the kiln room. More information will be provided about this closer to the time, however we are looking to clear out bisqued work that has been sitting in the kiln room for months to make room for more work coming through. If you have any bisque that is not being glazed within the next 2 weeks if would be much appreciated if this could be removed from the shelves.
 Congratulations Rod, a well deserved honour - to read the full article use the link below - NZ Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/kapiti-news/news/kings-birthday-and-coronation-honours-2023-art-enthusiast-rod-graham-humbled-by-medal/6O3ULVGZ6ZGEXG3V7UTMUIOUM4/  "I can’t believe it, my student Anna Campbell, who graduated last year at Otaki pottery club has taken out the top award in Nelson T Award at the New Zealand Art Show with the work from her final year of the Diploma" Jenny Turnbull
Lower Hutt Sculptor Triumphs at the NZ Art Show, Securing Coveted $15,000 Prize – NZ Art Show The NZ Art Show, a prestigious annual event showcasing New Zealand’s artistic prowess, is thrilled to announce a triumph for one talented sculptor. With esteemed artist and collector Lynne Sandri as the judge, the RT Nelson Awards for Sculptor awards ceremony bestowed a grand total of $20,000 in prizes, including the prestigious $15,000 premier prize for outstanding creative talent and craftsmanship. Additionally, five highly commended prizes of $1,000 each were awarded to commendable artists. Amongst the fierce competition, the ultimate prize of $15,000 was claimed by Lower Hutt Hutt artist Anna Campbell with her ceramic and mixed media piece ‘Workshop #1’. Consisting of a road cone, gas bottle and dirty rag – all made of ceramic – on an aged wooden shelf, the work is inspired by still life compositions in her studio. ‘Anna’s work is mindful of her surroundings and uses simple solid form and clean lines to create her own still life …of the life around her – the ordinary in the everyday,’ said Lynne. ‘The messy nature of useful objects on a shelf in a functioning workshop/studio which could now easily sit comfortably in a new environment of either a carefully curated living room or gallery.’ The NZ Art Show commends the winner for their remarkable dedication, skill, and imaginative approach, which have culminated in an awe-inspiring sculpture. A total of 52 sculptures by 35 accomplished artists have been selected as finalists, representing the finest examples of sculptural artistry in New Zealand. To explore the full list of participating artists, please refer to the attached document or visit our website. 
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