The Scottish Potters Association is marking its 30th anniversary by presenting an innovative exhibition in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh which explores and explains the world of plants.

The ‘Clay in Bloom’ exhibition, which will be held in the Exhibition Hall at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh between 7 August and 19 September 2004, will feature 18 ceramic artists who were selected to produce new pieces inspired by their experience of one of the Royal Botanic Gardens of Scotland. 

The artists had immense scope to develop their work as they explored the inclusion of plant materials within the very fabric of the clay, exploring the strong architectural nature of plants and clay and the fundamental parallel processes of working with clay - earth/air/fire and water with plant life.

The exhibition will display a broad spectrum of ceramic practice showing the diversity of contemporary ceramic practice in Scotland.  It will examine the environment in which ceramicists work, revealing the complete process of making and creating, from initial inspiration to the finished piece.  High quality images and information will introduce visitors to the amazing diversity of the world of ceramics, from the raw material, through the making and decorating/glazing processes and the different ways of firing.

The potters who will be exhibiting are Janet Adam, Val Burns, Jane Butler-Cole, Alice Buttress, Brian Cook Shand, Fiona Duckett, Lorna Fraser, Alan Gaff, Julia Hilton, Anne Lightwood, Rona McNicol , Anne Morrison , Veronica Newman, Susan Nuttgens, Miriam Reid, Philip Revell, Jacqueline Ward and Simon Ward.

The exhibition also has an exciting programme of activities – called Hands On! – Clay in Bloom - aimed at encouraging everyone to find out more about ceramics. Admission to the exhibition at the Exhibition Hall, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh (0131 552 7171) is free.  It is open daily from 10am to 5pm.

After Edinburgh, the 'Clay in Bloom' exhibition, which is supported by the Scottish Arts Council National Lottery Fund, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The Craft Pottery Charitable Trust, will tour a number of venues, starting at the Benmore Botanic Garden in Argyll.
 
The Scottish Potters Association is a members’ run organisation which promotes any activity which in the opinion of the members will further their collective and individual interests as potters/ceramists and will raise the standards and awareness of the craft.

The Association currently issues a quarterly newsletter, organises a residential weekend with workshops taken by both invited artists and Scottish potters, publishes a map showing studios which the public can visit and holds an annual exhibition which is open to all members.

The Association is open to any individual or organisation with an interest in ceramics. This means that any professional or amateur maker, collector or someone with a commercial interest in ceramics is welcome to join.  For further information visit www.scottishpotters.org

HANDS ON!  CLAY IN BLOOM
PROGRAMME OF ACTIVITIES FOR AUGUST 
      

Aug 7&8
Blooming Clay – Planters and Tulip pots: Alan Gaff throwing, turning and altering stoneware pieces used for plants. Malcolm Dobson, burnishing and smoking organic forms

Aug 11 
Tall and Short: Janet Adam throwing a variety of forms, mostly bowls.

Aug 12  
Treasure Boxes: Lorna Fraser builds caskets with attitude.

Aug 14&15  
See how they Grow – handbuilding weekend. Karen James paddles her luscious ladies into shape. Sue Nuttgens would like “Hands on” help for building a huge coil pot over 2 days.  Add your coil and see how it grows. 

Aug 18  
The Bigger the Better! Len Whatley shows how to throw BIG pots.

Aug 21 & 22
Working with Porcelain: Veronica Newman throwing, cutting & altering porcelain. Fran Marquis Faulkes throwing, printing and pattern making on porcelain.

Aug 25
Tea for Two: spouts, lids and handles. George Young shows how many stages there are in throwing and assembling Teapots.

Aug 26
Putting the colour in: Jane Butler-Cole shows her original way of making coloured slip transfers.

Aug 28 & 29
Tile Workshop: Rona McNicol, Alun & Pam Dyson and members from Drumchapel Tile Workshop. A “Hands on” workshop where you can add your tile to a panel in the making -moulding, embossing, texturing and colouring with slips.

Aug 31 
Ken Tonge will bring his ideas to the children’s hands on session.


Demonstrations will take place between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm on the dates shown. They will be “drop in” and informal and are intended for adults and older children. Primary children can take part at the same times every day in the special “hands on” area within the exhibition where several projects will take shape over the duration of the exhibition.

Information is correct at the time of publication but may be altered if circumstances change.

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