Our History

MINUTES OF MEETING 28TH OCTOBER, 1954.

The meeting was opened by Mr. R. Lowe, as Chairman, and minutes of previous meeting were read and passed. Mr. R. Evans expressed his views as to the formation of the Pottery Club and complimented members on the progress made in a few weeks. Nominations were then called for to form an Executive and General Committee and Officers were nominated as under.

President Mr. R. Evans
Treasurer
Vice President Mrs. G. MacKenzie
Secretary Mrs. V Godleman
Chairman of the House Mrs. Stewart
Clerk of Exhibitors Mrs. Bradley
Hostess Mrs. Tilbrook
Technical Committee – Mr. M Findlay, Mrs. G.
Kennett, Mr. R. Lowen, Mr. Clarke General
Committee – Mrs. McDonald, Mrs. Rose, Mrs.
Von Einem, Mrs. Jarratt, Mrs. Potter, Mrs
Lowen, Mrs. Trott, Mrs. Mount and Mrs. Smithson.

It was agreed upon by all present that the Executive Committee meet once a month and the Technical Committee once a month or as the Committee may find occasion to hold a meeting. The General Committee to meet every 3 months and all officers to be present. It was suggested by Mr. Evans to hold an election of officers once a year, probably the first week in July. This was generally agreed upon.

During the late eighties the pottery scene in general was experiencing a gradual decline and this began having an effect upon the number of people able to be attracted into classes, which historically had been the basis from which the membership grew.

A more affluent society also made easier the ability for people to establish home studios. This also had an affect upon the number of members being dependent upon club facilities to practice their craft so something needed to be done to maintain an ebbing membership and this was achieved with the decision to create a permanent gallery within the club rooms. At this time exhibitions outside of the clubrooms were becoming costly and more difficult to arrange so in 1990 it was decided to turn a front storeroom and hallway of the Sussex Street premises into a gallery. This resulted in the Harry Marchant Gallery, which opened in 1992.

A further refurbishment at Sussex Street had allowed for a generous new entry foyer. This space, together with two adjoining rooms, was converted into gallery space, again accomplished with membership support. The new gallery, of which we were justly proud, was officially opened with an Exhibition held during the Adelaide Festival of Arts with Kingsley Marks officiating on February 2nd, 1992. The Gallery was dedicated to the memory of Harry Marchant, who had passed away suddenly in February 1991. His contagious enthusiasm was the cornerstone of the club.

For the next seven years it was open on weekends and for Festival Fringe, Special and Christmas exhibitions. The gallery operated on the weekends and was run on a roster system made of contributing members. During specific exhibitions, held usually twice a year, the spacious common room area was also given over to increased gallery space as a larger number of members became involved during exhibitions, but didn’t submit work on a regular basis. The gallery worked very well and financially provided for its set up expenditure within the first twelve months through the commission collected from sales.

In 1999, with the move to Klemzig finalized, the club opened the doors of their ceramics-only gallery, justifiably proud of their independent status which had been maintained through consistent fund raising and prudent budget management. Life Member Ottavio (Brock) Saccardo had provided his time and machinery to concrete the spacious car park behind the gallery that is an obvious asset to the club and is used to great advantage by gallery visitors for exhibition openings.

The gallery on 54 O.G. ROAD was open 1994-2004, and has since moved to the neighbouring building on 1 Fourth Ave 5087, Klemzig.

From our earliest beginnings to our premises at Sussex Street, where we had our first dedicated two-roomed gallery, to our separate 5 roomed gallery at our 54 O.G. Rd, Klemzig location, well presented, quality exhibitions of members’ work have always been an integral part of the Studio Potters. The opportunity to participate in the Adelaide Fringe Festival has been a highlight of our calendar year since they began. These exhibitions are selected and require work to be of a high quality.

The gallery opens for most of the year with regularly changing work from our members. We usually have 3 major exhibitions each year, often with members working towards a particular theme, as “All fired up”, and “Pots for the Courtyard”. Some exhibitions have been held off campus at Pepper Street Gallery, Studio 20, Adelaide Town Hall, Greenhill Galleries, David Jones Gallery and the Myer Centre.

Carol Knezevic joined the club in 1991 and has served as Exhibitions Convenor from 1993 till 2004. This role involves the organising of Guest Openers for exhibitions, preparation of catalogues, invitations and other publicity.

OPEN DAYS
The idea of Club Open Days was initiated in 1988, both as a means of raising funds and as an advertising vehicle, and has continued as a popular public activity which also gives the club opportunity to attract new members. In addition to the gallery, the new studio workrooms open to the general public, where demonstrations in hand and wheel work were given, and these days have become a fixture on the club’s calendar.

Club members get together to create mugs, which are sold, and filled with home made soup or mulled wine. People line up for these treats. Activities for children and adults alike make this a fun day out for all family members. Small pots are made and sold to visitors who can chose a pot, glaze it, and have the experience of seeing it fired in a raku kiln on the same day.

Early club members were wise when they laid down the foundation for good communication within the club. The establishment of a club newsletter has provided the archives from which we examine historical data relating to meetings, club rules, social events, workshops, personalities and exhibitions. Anything from poems to recipes for glazes and/or food can be included and members are welcome to write articles and provide any information for publication they deem relevant to potting.

The club newsletter is therefore usually eagerly awaited, with the current editor acting as reporter, printer and postie. However, like all club positions, the “hands on” work is often shared and members often pool their efforts to assist with mailouts. Some ‘wit’ skilled in sketching usually appears, and provides some satirical imagery for the newsletter and other publicity requirements.

In 1975 members had the option to purchase their copy of the Newsletter for 10 cents. Today the cost is included in membership fees. Life members and former tutors in South Australia and interstate are posted a free copy. Newsletters are exchanged with fellow potting clubs throughout the country. Volunteers were the first newsletter editors, until the club committee formalised the position in 1972 with Jane Peach in that role. The Editor then became a Committee Member, also acting as Members’ Representative on the Management Committee.

Technology has clearly changed since the days of the Gestetner machine. A note in old Minutes allowed the editor to use the club typewriter in their own home. A second-hand Photocopier had served the club well in recent years, and the 2004 arrival of a second hand digital photocopier promises ease of publication of the newsletter, and preparation of other publicity material. The club is now well into the digital age, having established a website for the club as well as a Facebook page, and our Newsletter is emailed to all members.