Harrow (University of Westminster) Proposed CLOSURE of Ceramics Department!

I was shocked to learn today that after enduring the pain of fire and the huge efforts and expense of rebuilding this fine ceramics centre of excellence, ITS CLOSURE IS NOW PLANNED!!!

Kyra Cane, the Course Leader, has sent this URGENT message which I repeat in full
Dear All, It has come as a complete shock to myself and the Ceramics Course Team, that after we have created a beautiful, brilliantly equipped new ceramics department last year, my Management has prepared a case for the closure of Ceramics. This would be carried out in a phased manner, closing in 2013 ( our 50th Anniversary on this site ) with part time students who started the course in 2007. I have not been allowed to revalidate the course as planned this year, and am told that intake for 2009 will be suspended. (Note from editor: JUST HEARD - 26.11.08 THERE WILL BE CONSULTATION!!*)
We will of course fight this decision, however it is with the greatest of regret that I have to let you know that there is a real crisis at Harrow. The staff are now of the opinion that we desperately need a response from the wider ceramics/arts/education community to help us in our plight. If you are willing to help in any way please contact me. Kyra Cane, Sunday 23rd November.
Studiopottery.co.uk will be pleased to help Kyra and if you would like to send your responses to HelpHarrow@studiopottery.co.uk I will ensure that they are passed on to Kyra Cane
I will be contacting her today (25 November2008) to see how we can help - Stephen Dee, Studiopottery.co.uk
*In order to give strength to the consultation process, it will be important that as much external support as possible is made visible by letters, emails etc to the Vice Chancellor to ensure that he is aware of the importance of Ceramics at Westminster to the world at large!

Claudi Casanovas exhibition at Galerie Besson in London. 8 October - 30 October 2008

Claudi Casanovas was born in 1956. He first studied for the theatre in Barcelona, then trained as a ceramist in Olot (Catalonia). He was a member of the Coure Potters' Cooperative from 1978 to 1987. In 1992 he won first prize at the III International Ceramics Competition in Mino, Japan. He lives and works in Riudaura (near Olot) since 1986.

His new exhibition at Galerie Besson is entitled "Works from Japan" which were pieces created in the studio of Ryoji Koie in Shitara, Japan. This followed a visit by Koie and six other Japanese potters to Olot for a workshop in 1986, following which Claudi Casanovas, as one of the workshops organisers was invited to travel to Japan.

The eleven works are in mixed stoneware clays and were created in Shitara in 1990 during that visit, they were then exhibited in Tokyo and subsequently stored in Shitara from then until now. This offers a great opportunity to see some superb pieces of Claudi Casanovas work. (information courtesy of Galerie Besson)

Robin Welch at Bircham Gallery in Norfolk.

Born in 1936 Robin Welch has been potting for over 50 years, with a major exhibition at Rufford in Nottinghamshire in 2007. His current pots are freely constructed and may be thrown, coiled or slab built in stoneware, sometimes more than one method being used for an individual piece. He applies a slip before biscuit firing, with multiple further firings for the clay slips, oxides, lustres and enamels used.

Apart from making individual pots he spent time with the Wedgwood Group, Midwinter and Denby Potteries in tableware production, including designer work, as well as many individual commissions and teaching residencies in the United States and Australia. He has a well deserved International reputation and his work is widely collected, both in Britain and worldwide and is held in many major collections, including the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Fitzwilliam Museum, The National Gallery of Victoria and the Van Boyson Museum in Rotterdam. Any exhibition of his work is well worth a visit. Robin Welch has a new show in October (from 11 October to 5 November 2008) with new work including the pot opposite. See also images of his very successful at Rufford.