Ev Williams, the co-founder and moderator of the NZ pottery website and I will be at the Learning Centre at Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery (previously Lopdell House Gallery) holding the clinic under the umbrella of the Auckland Festival of Ceramics.
Anytime between 1 and 3 pm, just bowl in with your piece of pottery. If you have questions we will endeavour to help; if you just want to show us something special, then we will be delighted to have a look.
Together, Ev and I have a formidable knowledge of NZ studio and commercial pottery including Crown Lynn, Orzel, Beach Artware, Titian, Royal Oak, Studio Ceramics, Christine Harris, Keriblue - you name it! (she says optimistically). Much of our wonderful NZ pottery is unmarked, but after decades of researach Ev and I can identify most of the makers and manufacturers.
Ev has an exellent working knowledge of her fellow studio potters - she should be able to identify the maker of your interesting hand-thrown piece with the mysterious mark.
Don't be shy. We would love to see you and your pottery. And we will have some examples on display too. Meanwhile, here are a few pics to whet your whistle:
Beach Artware - orange is very popular, but you also see Beachother colours including brown, green, and blue. It is very very very seldom marked.
Brendan Adams which is becoming increasingly collectable.
Ev's favourite shino glazed pots from her extensive collection
Christine Harris from her days at Studio Ceramics - love those crazy egg cups! The pattern at the right rear is called Belize.
Kevin Kilsby - who is still making his delightful ware in Auckland.
Petra Ceramics, Stage Artware and Terra Ceramics.
Daniel Steenstra for Crown Lynn
Parker Pottery
Early Christine Harris
Etc etc etc etc! There are millions of different pieces of our precious NZ-made pottery around. Let's find out as much as we can about it and feel proud!
Remember though that Ev and I are not valuers. We can give you an indication of the rarity and coolectableness of a piece, but neither of us are particularly keen on trying to estimate what it might be worth.
Thanks to Creative New Zealand for supporting this event.