Campaign to Save the Wedgwood Museum

by | Dec 20, 2011 | Uncategorized

The following is copied from http://www.studiopottery.co.uk/blog/?p=737

Published

by Stephen
on 20 December 2011

The Campaign to Save the Wedgwood Museum received the shocking news that the UNESCO recognised archive of international importance is not held in trust and can be dispersed and sold to meet wholly disproportionate £135m Pension Fund liabilities. Read the Press release from the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) lawyershere. Stoke-upon-Trent MP Hon. Dr Tristram Hunt MP is meeting with Government Ministers on December 20th to discuss the plight of the Museum. The Battle continues – continued political lobbying is essential: write to your MP to drive home how important this unique collection is to you. Campaign leader Alison Wedgwood: “We will begin a fund raising campaign in the new year, asking the government for urgent support, and seeking support from the Art Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and as many generous philanthropists as we can cajole. This collection is not leaving Staffordshire without a fight!”


Write to you MP, Join our Supporters roll to declare your support and to be kept up to date with the Campaign: help to Save Wedgwood for the Nation. I was shocked to hear of this disgusting decision – I presume under the existing law the courts had little option! I have written to my local MP seeking support and would ask that all who read this article do the same – either to their MP or if outside the UK, Direct to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. David Cameron. Please also Join the supporters group above. Here is a copy of my letter: Dear Nicholas Soames,
I run a major website for ceramic art, www.studiopottery.co.uk with an audience of some 25000 per month, with several hundred ceramic artist members. I have watched the unfolding saga surrounding the Wedgwood Museum with consternation and sadness. In essence, as I understand it, because a few museum staff were linked with the company the whole of the assets of the museum can be claimed and sold for the benefit of the old group pension scheme deficit. This ‘loophole’ in the law has been confirmed by the court this week. 
The result is that this archive of International importance, recognised by UNESCO can now be split up and sold off to meet the group pension fund liabilities. 

http://savewedgwood.blogspot.com/2011/12/decision-collection-can-be-dispersed.html

 Destruction of this unique collection and archive, which was always intended to be held in trust for perpetuity would be a National DISGRACE.

Both personally and on behalf of Studiopottery.co.uk we seek your support in finding a way that this unique collection can be saved for the nation and for future generations.

 Yours sincerely,

Stephen Dee
 Founder and Director
Studiopottery.co.uk

WOODSTOKE – Woodfiring Conference in New Zealand

by | Dec 20, 2011 | Uncategorized

March 16th to 18th 2012
Whangamata, Coromandel, New Zealand

For the first time in New Zealand a conference is happening dedicated to the art of wood firing. This will be the start of the renaissance for the wood firing fraternity and the best possible introduction for potters and ceramicists that have wanted to have a go with wood firing. The weekend is full of kiln building, kilns firing and an exploration of all things related to the wood fired pot. International guests will lead the charge into the frantic pace of kiln construction, with participants expected to lend a hand and feel the clay under their fingernails. A variety of kilns, from small salt kilns through to large temporary kiln installations will be erected on site, pots made to fill them and then the fires are lit. A pyromania of heat and flame will ensure the weekend is an impression burnt into the memory of all. There will be the sort of feasting and company that legends are made of and with camping on-site the partying and all night stoking vigils can last until dawn.
Invited Artists:Marshall Maude
Don Bendel
Robert Sanderson and Coll Minogue
Maureen Allison
Janet Smith
Duncan Shearer
Louis Kittleson
Darryl Frost
Mike O’Donnell
Chester Nealie
Yuri Wiedenhofer
and Janet Mansfield

For all the details please visit the website here.

Art Gallery of St. Albert Call for 2013

by | Dec 16, 2011 | Uncategorized

Art Gallery of St. Albert (AGSA), a contemporary public art gallery, seeks proposals from artists working in all styles and mediums for exhibition in the 2013 calendar year. The Gallery’s mandate is to provide enriching educational experiences that celebrate visual culture and artistic achievement through research, exhibition and interpretation. The Gallery strives to provide an exhibition schedule and corresponding public programs that both support educationally challenging art and appeal to its many audiences. Artworks need to provide vision, inspiration and education for residents of St. Albert and surrounding communities. The exhibition selection reflects originality and a diversity of styles and mediums. The Gallery presents artists who exhibit locally, nationally and internationally. Artwork is adjudicated by a panel of visual art professionals who represent a spectrum of expertise in the visual arts. The artists chosen to exhibit receive CARFAC fees. Deadline for submissions: march 3rd, 2012 at 5pm to download the PDF, click on AGSA CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS 2013

Posted this morning on Facebook….

by | Dec 15, 2011 | Uncategorized

by Steven Branfman

Friends,,,,,Robin Hopper is facing some serious medical issues and needs the very best karma sent his way. For those of you who are not plugged into the clay world, Robin is a world renowned potter and teacher. He’s on Facebook but doesn’t seem to check it very often. Here is his email address:[email protected]. Muster up your most positive energy and send it to him in an email.

Visit Robin’s website here.