Sixty years ago annual membership to the Alexandra Pottery Club cost 10 shillings - now it's $100, but according to potter Kathi McLean “clay is still clay”, irrespective of price.

Twenty years ago a 20kg bag of clay was $20, and in 2024 it's $90.   

The price hike made potters more sustainable, Kathi said.

“We don’t waste clay because of costs, and we recycle clay [we’re] not happy with.”

Despite technological advances, and the club’s base moving several times, much from the early days is still the same.

“We still have kilns, and pit firing out in the country, that’s been there from the start,’’ she said.

“Centering and throwing a pot - you still need to learn that.”

Pottery had always been her thing to do and “working with clay you can dream away”, Kathi said.

Meeting up with like minded souls and fostering friendships was a big part of why she had remained involved for the past 46 years.

“Social connection is so important for every age group. The [club] is a lovely group of people, all with the same interest in clay and creating . . . it could be hand work, the wheel, slab pottery or coil pottery.”

Kathi joined the Alexandra Pottery Club in 1978.

She is a current committee member, and holds honorary life membership to the club for her contribution and dedication.

Alexandra Pottery Club itself dates back to June 1964 when an adult education pottery class was held in Alexandra and 25 people took part.

Many of the names of those original participants are family names recognised in the district today including the Morgans, Cloustons, Stevens and Hendersons, Kathi said.

The pottery club was first housed in the fire brigade building in 1965.

In 1970 they moved into a garage and subscriptions were raised to one pound 10 shillings, primarily because the club was saving up for an electric kiln.

Twenty one members paid 5c per pot in firing costs in 1970. The club has moved seven times over the years - after the fire brigade and the garage it moved to what is now St John’s ambulance building, which used to be a laundry in 1978.

Then the club relocated to a co-operative near the camping ground on Tarbert St, which no longer exists. It now operates behind Alexandra Community House.

The original old diesel kiln was built by hand out the back of Alexandra Primary School, and then it was moved and rebuilt when the club shifted to the laundry building. 

By 1989 subscription costs were $20 and there were two electric kilns. 

Kathi said in the 1980s and 1990s pottery club members, herself included, “had to go out and get real jobs” and interest in pottery and the arts lulled causing the club to go into recess in the mid 2000s.

“Twelve years later things revived again . . . people are more balanced [now] and . . . all the crafts are becoming very therapeutic, people are seeing the benefit for their wellbeing and mental health,” she said.

Alexandra’s Lindy le Gal attended an exhibition opening in Alexandra on Friday evening, and was thrilled to see her ‘Neptune’ mask mounted on the gallery wall. PHOTO: The Central App

The club now has electronic temperature control on it’s kilns and a modern building to operate from; members visit at any time and on Monday and Tuesday nights committee members, including Kathi and club president Sandy Feron, share their expertise with beginners.

The club had 35 members and was “really strong” with younger and older people joining, Kathi said.

Fifteen club members are currently exhibiting 80 works, celebrating 60 years ‘Inspired by Clay’ at Central Stories Museum and Gallery until December 11. 

Current president Sandy Feron and potter Lindy le Gal run beginners workshops throughout the year, with two to three people joining the pottery club each time.

Bev Daniels created this mask ‘Koolama Tree Spirit’ and she described the clubrooms as “The Tardis” where time vanishes when you’re working on pieces such as this. PHOTO: The Central App

Sandy said she got joy from teaching and seeing new members exhibiting and sharing their work.

“It’s like they are our own children.”

The crowd at the opening of the Alexandra Pottery Club exhibition enjoyed drinks and nibbles and the creative pottery pieces on display. PHOTO: The Central App

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