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A new medium is being added to the mix at the Kamloops Makerspace as a group of experienced potters prepare to move into studio space made available by the collective.
Master potter Amanda Eccleston, Janet Whitehead, Cheetie Malouin and Karen Clark are leading the charge on the creation of The Clay Space, a studio they say answers a huge need within the community — workshop space where experienced artists can access equipment and beginners can attend classes. They expect the space, which will be accessible to members 24 hours a day, to be very busy.
“We saw the potential and the Makerspace community really bought into it,” Whitehead said. “To set up a full studio would be extravagantly expensive but because there’s so many skilled tradespeople here, it’s part of what makes Makerspace possible.”
Board chair Vaughn Warren said developing a pottery studio has been within the top five goals for the Makerspace and bringing in a different collection of artists will add a new dimension to the community of makers and hobbyists.
“Not a lot of groups have the firepower we have we have in terms of carpentry, electronics, engineering, design, so we’re able to do this kind of stuff,” Warren said.
The first several workshops will be fundraisers for the developing studio. Here’s what’s coming up at The Clay Space:
Clay Coil Pot Making
March 28 or April 4, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m
Work with award-winning ceramicist Amanda Eccleston and learn to sculpt using hand-rolled coils of clay to make a large rounded pot. Cost is $95. Email [email protected] to register.
Enchanted Clay workshop
Friday April 7th, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Adults are invited to bring a child and each sculpt their own magical character. Artwork will go through the drying and kiln firing process, ready for you to pick up and finish with paints, stains or leave as is. Lead by Janet Whitehead. Cost is $40. Email [email protected] to register.
Clay Alchemy
May 5 to May 19, Fridays 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
June 10, 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
This course is an introduction to basics of pottery and includes the opportunity to sculpt, slab, build, throw on the wheel and take home finished pieces, including a coffee mug and treasure box. Lead by Janet Whitehead. Cost is $275. Email [email protected] to register.
The Kamloops Makerspace, 207 West Victoria St., has an open house every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and a weekly maker meetup on Mondays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.