OTAKI POTTERY CLUB
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OPC Raku Club Day - Saturday 20th April

20/3/2024

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Registration is now open with the sign-up sheet on the whiteboard in the kitchen.

Most clays are suitable, particularly those containing some grog. The Atelier clays and terracotta
work well. Note that fine clays such as PW20 may sometimes crack due to the thermal shock.
No flat plates and nothing too big - 300mm maximum height.
​
Any queries to Shona Sherriff.

Join us for a day filled with creativity and camaraderie at the OPC Raku Club Day. Here's what you can expect:


- Explore a new method of glazing and firing your bisque pottery.
- Try your hand at various techniques with the guidance of experienced members.
- Connect with fellow pottery enthusiasts and expand your network within the club.
- Immerse yourself in the joyous atmosphere of our club's activities.

What is Raku?
Raku pottery, originating from traditional Japanese ceramics, offers a captivating journey into artistic expression. Here's a brief overview:

- Definition: Raku involves a low-firing process inspired by Japanese tradition. Pottery is removed from the kiln at a vibrant red heat and placed into containers filled with combustible materials. Upon ignition, the containers are sealed, creating an intense reduction atmosphere that influences glaze and clay colours. The deliberate thermal shock induces crackling, adding to the aesthetic appeal.

- Origins and History: Rooted in Buddhist practices, particularly the tea ceremony, raku embodies simplicity and naturalness. It harmonises with nature's elements, symbolising a union of earth, fire, air, and water. Intriguingly, "raku" translates to "happiness in the accident," reflecting its organic and spontaneous nature.

- Clay and Glazes: While various clays can be used, specific raku clay yields optimal results due to its thermal shock resistance. We recommend consulting our Clay Team for advice on clay selection. Additionally, choosing suitable glazes is essential, with our club offering a range of raku glazes for experimentation.

- Functional vs. Decorative: Despite its historical significance in tea ceremonies, raku pieces are primarily decorative due to their porous nature and susceptibility to glaze flaking. It's important to note that raku ware is not food-safe. Consider sealing your end product with liquid wax to enhance its durability and aesthetic appeal, adding an extra layer of protection.

Safety Measures
Ensuring safety during the Raku pottery process is paramount. Here are some essential precautions to consider:

- Attire: Wear protective clothing such as long trousers, closed-toe shoes, and long-sleeved shirts or arm protectors to shield against heat and potential hazards. Avoid loose clothing and tie back long hair or wear a hat to prevent accidents.Wear long leather gloves to protect your hands from heat and potential burns. It's crucial to keep these gloves dry, as wet leather can conduct heat and compromise protection.

- Kiln Safety: When opening the kiln, avoid leaning over it as hot air escapes, posing a risk of burns. Maintain a safe distance from the kiln and use specialised equipment like long tongs to handle red-hot pottery with care. Prior to the actual firing, practice handling the pottery with the long metal tongs to familiarise yourself with the process. Since we operate outdoors, be mindful of wind direction to avoid inhaling fumes when opening kilns. Position yourself upwind whenever possible to minimise exposure to fumes.
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By adhering to these safety protocols, you can fully enjoy the enriching experience of Raku pottery while prioritising your well-being and that of others.

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Starglaze - CELEBRATING MATARIKI 2023 - JULY 13, 14, 15.

22/4/2023

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After such a successful event last year the club will again run the event with some minor changes. There will be 90 spaces. Club members have priority until May 14th.

Registration $60 includes GST.  Registration is free for young people. A space will be set aside for young people to exhibit their work. ALL work must be for sale.

One club member can pay for a space and share it with other members.   EVERY EXHIBITOR, including young people, must fill in a registration form (same as for the Festival of Pots) with a 3-digit code listing items for sale. You will need to provide two copies when you arrive to set up your work.

Commission is 15%.  

Trestle tables are available at $10 each

Display panels for display : 2400 X 1200 @ $40;   1200 X 1200 @ $20.

Set up and pack up :
Set up is Wednesday 12 July between 11am – 8pm.
Pack up is Saturday 15 July between 4pm – 7pm.


It will be great if we can have people working in the rooms during the event. The “Have a Go” activities were very popular and we would like to run them again. We will need help to set up the venue (same as last year) and pack down on Sunday, 16 July. There is a race day on the 14th and Kiwi Kai will have their food truck on site.
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​It would be wonderful if Tutors would encourage their students to get together as a group to participate.

We encourage new members to get involved and experience the joy of seeing that other people like your work enough to buy it. A great encourager!

Also a great motivator to have work ready for the Kapiti Arts Trail in November and the Festival of Pots and Garden Art in January 2024. 


To register https://www.otakipotteryclub.org/star-glaze.html   
​

Please make payment to Otaki Pottery Club 38-9003-0784227-11, putting your surname in the Particulars box, and Starglaze as the code
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Otago Polytechnic - NZ Diploma of Arts & Design - work on display

13/11/2022

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You're invited to view the students studying the NZ Diploma of Arts and Design in Ceramics end of year work.

16th November at Otaki Pottery Club Class Rooms from 3 - 6pm

Nibbles and drinks provided. All welcome.
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Grab a friend and have a fun evening making your own Christmas decorations, for you, for friends, for gifts.

4/10/2022

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We have had queries for an adults only Christmas Decoration workshop, so here you go! Get in quick, spaces are limited and these are the only 2 workshops we can fit into our super busy class schedule.

Apply here:http://www.otakipotteryclub.org/pottery-workshops-kapiti... Please note, form goes direct to the tutor, who will be in touch soon.
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Video Night & Potluck Dinner

3/8/2022

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Mary has organised a video, dinner and chat evening for the 12th of August. This will be a fun evening so do try to come along and bring a plate for the potluck dinner table.
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Christmas Party - Sunday 12th December

3/12/2021

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This year we want to celebrate getting through a tough year and would like to have the Christmas party in our building. 
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Please bring something to add to the table and something to drink.

There will be non-alcoholic punch and cheese platters provided.
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  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Committee
    • Photo Album
  • GALLERY
  • Membership
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • Club Calendar
  • CLASSES
    • CHILDREN
    • ADULTS >
      • Beginning Wheel (L1)
      • Continuing Wheel (L2)
      • Advanced Wheel (L3) with Jenny Turnbull
      • Beginning Hand Building (L1)
      • Continuing Hand Building (L2)
      • Hand Building and Surface Decoration
      • Slab building
      • Sculpting faces - Term 1
      • Sculpture - Clothes Hair and Skin - Term 2
      • Clay Creatures - Term 3
      • Diploma
    • Tutors >
      • Brent Craig
      • Frederick Church
      • Harriet Bright
      • Jenny Turnbull
      • Jo-Anne Hare
      • Lyuba Zhilkina
      • Monica McCormack
      • Paula Archibald
      • Rod Graham
      • Sarah Brock
      • Sarah Bromley
      • Storm Davenport
    • Enrolments
  • WORKSHOPS
    • Workshop Enrolments
    • BONSAI
    • GARDEN GODDESS
    • GARDEN ORBS
    • GLAZING TECHNOLOGY
    • HEAD STUDIES
    • KINTSUGI
    • LITHOGRAPHY
    • PIT FIRING
    • SIMPLIFIED FIGURES
    • Cordage
    • Looping
    • TOURING POTTERS
  • RESOURCES
    • Club Clay
    • Club Glazes
    • VIDEOS
  • News
  • Events
    • PUBLIC RAKU
    • FESTIVAL OF POTS >
      • GUEST ARTISTS 2025 >
        • Royce McGlashen
        • Brett Keno
        • Lisa Grennell
    • STAR GLAZE
  • Gift vouchers
  • CONTACT