Semiahmoo Potters April 2024

Crescent Park Studio and potters have been especially active in March. On the 9th we welcomed the public to an Open Studio to observe a skill share session that was guided by SPS member and the Great Canadian Pottery Throwdown participant, Susan Johnston. Potters learned how to modify a cylinder and create a pitcher, plus using both hand building and wheel throwing skills.

March 14th SPS volunteers had the 1st of two hands on making sessions with local Girl Guides. The girls learned how to make pinch pot bowls and lidded containers, which will be bisqued at the Crescent Park studio and then returned to the troupe to underglaze and then glaze fire.

We ended the month with an all-day workshop with Delta potter and painter, Ailsa Brown. Her “Clay Canvas” workshop was mix of Ailsa demonstrating her painter’s eye and skills to underglaze application on greenware and hands on application by participants. Club members and community potters learned a variety of techniques, the importance of using the right brush for the right job, and how colour hues and complimentary choices impact overall appearance. Potters brought their own greenware pieces on which to practice these new skills, with Ailsa’s supportive guidance. We are grateful for the City of Surrey Cultural Grant which funded this event. Look for some unique new designs and creations at our annual SPS spring sale!

This month potters will be pinch pot making with local Embers. As well, we will be having two raku firings in mid April. An ancient Japanese firing process, raku stresses bisque clay with extreme heat, reduction cooling and distinctive glazes. While the techniques are tried and true, the ultimate results can be surprising. Again, look for raku pieces at our spring sale.

Plan to visit us in the Turnbull Gallery in the South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre, on Saturday, May 4th and Sunday, May 5th. Our annual event will feature sculpture, hand built and wheel thrown ceramics. Potters create items of all sizes and prices; our supporters know they can shop for Mother’s Day gifts, garden items, functional ware, and wearable art. We are featuring a “30 bowls for $30” table in celebration of our up-coming 30 year anniversary. All funds from these one-off bowls will be donated to our local Sources Foundation.

We are grateful for these many opportunities to fulfill our mandate “connecting communities with clay”. Thank you for your continued support and interest. To learn more about us, check our website homepage for recent information and past activities in the News pages. We are happy to connect customers with individual SPS potters and answer queries; send requests to semiahmoopotters@gmail.com. Please email us if you’d like to receive SPS supporter e-invitations to sales and special events.