KPG – Page 9 – Kawartha Potters' Guild

KPG Covid19 Closure – March 16

March 16, 2020 by Karina Bates

To all Guild Members, Students, Teachers & Customers

We have made the very difficult decision to close the Guild at this time. This includes the Pottery Shop and all classes.

For those taking classes with us, we normally have a 2 week break in between sessions. We are taking advantage of this to suspend all of our classes (including any private classes) as of now, for the next 2 weeks, while we wait for this very fluid situation to progress. Again, should this affect your ability to attend the classes on the revised dates, we will do our best to accommodate you on future dates in your registered or other classes to make up the missed time.

We will be updating this decision as recommended by our Public Health and Government regulations and requirements.

As a not-for-profit organization, we ask for your patience and understanding in this matter.

Should you have any questions, concerns or suggestions in this regard, please do not hesitate to contact our Administrator, Donna at 705-742-4979 or by email.

KPG Covid19 Class Policy

March 15, 2020 by Karina Bates

Picture of student hands on clay with teacher's hands nearby for assistance

As of March 15, 2020, all currently booked classes at KPG will be running as per the regular schedule. Our priority is the health and safety of our Members and our Guests / Students. We have posted Symptoms and Guidance notices throughout the Guild as a reminder of proper hygiene protocols, for your information. Please do your part to wipe down areas you are working in and on; a little due diligence will go a long way!

Please note, if you have been out of the country, please do not come to class. The Canadian Government recommends self isolation for 14 days. After that period, you are welcome back. If you feel unwell for any reason, please do not come to class. KPG will make the utmost efforts to credit you the classes missed, as soon as this situation is resolved. Please keep an eye on our website for any further updates or class cancellations. We will attempt to contact you, in this event, via email as well. Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact our Administrator, Donna either via phone at 705-742-4979 or via email.

KPG Spring Sale!

March 11, 2020 by Karina Bates

Save the date! Our Spring Sale will be Friday, May 1st, 2 – 8 p.m. and Saturday May 2nd, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. More details forthcoming soon, but plan to stop by that weekend for great Mother’s Day gift ideas!

Teresa Dunlop Demonstration Workshop

February 22, 2020 by Karina Bates

Teresa Dunlop posing with one of her pieces

We are very pleased to welcome Teresa Dunlop to the KPG on Sunday, May 24th for a demonstration workshop. Teresa may be best known for her very colourful functional work, but she also enjoys manipulating thrown work and wood firing the results. This will be a fun day full of useful information and inspiration for participants to take back to their own studios. Teresa will demonstrate throwing, manipulation of thrown work and how to put multiple pieces together. The workshop runs from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a break for lunch, and is open to 15 participants. Registration is available here. Please visit Teresa’s website for more information about her and her work.

February Meeting Change

February 10, 2020 by Karina Bates

A photo of Robin Hopper working at his wheel in his studio

Tonight’s meeting plan has been changed as, unfortunately, it turns out Thomas is ill. Darlene will be bringing in a Robin Hopper video to watch, there is still Guild business to discuss and Lillian promises good snacks and drinks. Hope to see folks out for a movie night!

KPG Throwing & Trimming Skills Improvement Week!

April 6, 2020February 10, 2020 by Karina Bates

Blue & yellow painted plate - Darlene Malcolm-Moran

We are very pleased to be offering another workshop with Darlene Malcolm-Moran. This workshop will take place the week of July 27 – 31, 2020, and is open to all potters who can centre and throw a 6 inch bowl, cylinder and plate. The goals for this week are to improve your throwing skills to create well-balanced consistent pottery and learn to finish your pottery with good design, function, and craftsmanship. Maximum : 8 students, $340.00 plus H.S.T.

For further information, or to register, please visit here.

Thomas Aitken visits KPG

January 27, 2020 by Karina Bates

3 pitchers in varying sizes by Thomas Aitken

Our February Guild meeting will feature celebrated local potter, Thomas Aitken.

Thomas collaborates with wife Kate Hyde in their Warsaw studio. They create functional, hand produced porcelain pieces that “delight the eye and please the touch.”He is a highly skilled professional potter who holds a Masters in Ceramics. Thomas is accomplished in so many areas we have asked him to demonstrate/discuss several, diverse topics. You can visit Thomas and Kate’s website here.

*Handles (that don’t crack)
*Lids & knobs
*Nesting bowls, (precision throwing)
*His wonderful glazes
*Healthy throwing practices

His previous visits have been well received, so we know this is going to be another great meeting.

Happy Holidays from KPG!

December 24, 2019 by Karina Bates

Peacock raku ornament by Heathyr Francis

We are now closed for the holidays and would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and students for making us more successful than we could have hoped for when we first moved in to Talwood in 2012. We would also like to thank our staff who keep the guild working, and our volunteers who really are the back bone of any guild – from those who wash floors and windows to those who spend hours on the board of directors. We will be open again on Tuesday January 7, 2020 and our classes for the remainder of the 8 week session, will begin that week as well. Should you need to reach us over the holidays you can email Donna, our Administrator, or leave a phone message at 705-742-4979. We will get back to you as soon as we are able.

We hope that you have a wonderful holiday, however you celebrate.

Last Day for Shopping at KPG!

December 23, 2019 by Karina Bates

Our Xmas tree decorated with hand made ornaments

The Guild Pottery Shop is open today 11 – 5 p.m. for your last minute gift shopping! We have many great gift items from mugs for your coffee & tea drinkers to wine goblets, platters, teapots, coffee filter holders, tablet and phone stands, tree ornaments, vases, jewelry, gift cards (made by our members) and much more. We still carry items from the other members of the Artisans’ Centre; the Kawartha Woodturners Guild, the Gourd Society and the Spinners and Weavers Guild. If you can’t decide, we have gift certificates that don’t expire and are good for any product or service we offer. Our knowledgeable volunteers can help you with your decisions.

Welcome to Donna O’Brien

December 12, 2019 by Karina Bates

We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our new Administrator, Donna O’Brien. Donna and Clara are working together this week to get Donna up to speed. So if you are looking for an answer regarding classes or from the admin office, please allow some extra time during this transition. You can reach Donna through all the regular channels at the Guild.

We would also like to thank Clara for all the work she has done in her time as admin, including the extra hours and work outside of her job description; everything that helps keep our Guild moving. She was given small tokens of our appreciation at our regular Christmas social that happened this past Monday. Clara will be returning to university in the new year and we wish the best of luck in her studies.