The Shelfords on wed 12 mar 97
Don Jung wrote:
>What's your definition of professional or production pottery vs
>recreational pottery? Does it qualify as professional or production if
>you make pots to supplement your income?
>
>We're using these terms to try to define what is appropriate in our
>studio (non-profit club in a parks & recreation community center...).
This has been a question for a lot of pottery clubs and guilds where there
is common space and equipment, including the Richmond Potter's Club, where
I'm still an out-of-town member. When I was there and more closely involved
with the organization side, this question came up occasionally, but we
decided to leave it that if anyone was using the facilities to such an
extent that it limited or unreasonably slowed down everyone else's use (by
common observation or complaint) then the situation would be looked into,
and if the complaint seemed valid the individual involved was asked to
recognize the problem and cut back his or her use. It was not a frequent
problem, and that approach worked fine while I was there, although it was
beginning to be under strain.
But the population of Richmond has been burgeoning, and with it the
membership of the club, so I understand that the question has been recurring
more often. Part of the trouble is, that there seems to be a real upper
limit to the numbers of members that make an organization like that "work",
after which it becomes mired in rules and politics. Nobody's fault - it's
just that a point of critical mass has been passed, and the group fragments.
In Richmond, a small group has left to form a separate studio, and I can see
that happening again over time. It may be the only workable answer.
What I realized when I was dealing with it day to day, was that while the
group was small (30 to 50 members, not all of whom were using the studio)
the variety of needs and levels of experience all formed part of the dynamic
of the group. Once the numbers doubled and more, those of differing needs
and expectations splintered off into sub-groups and cliques, and we found we
had the familiar situation of an unwieldy organization being held together
by the extraordinary efforts of a few, who were gradually burning out.
People who just wanted to make pots and help out with others feeling the
same way, found themselves putting in endless hours as unpaid public
servants, subject to the expectations of both the general public, and of the
paid public servants they were working with day to day.
And yet, arbitrarily limiting size has an uncomfortable feel to it, and
anyway, where you are in a community facility, you have to be available to
the public as a whole - you can't be a private club on public money.
This is an interesting and difficult question, and as far as I know it is
still unresolved in the Richmond Club, although they may have made up some
new rules since I left - you might want to get in touch with them. They are
a good group, and trying hard to make it work. I will be interested in the
discussion as it unfolds.
- Veronica
____________________________________________________________________________
Veronica Shelford
e-mail: shelford@island.net
s-mail: P.O. Box 6-15
Thetis Island, BC V0R 2Y0
Tel: (250) 246-1509
____________________________________________________________________________
Don Jones on wed 12 mar 97
>----------------------------Original message----------------------------
>Don Jung wrote:
>>What's your definition of professional or production pottery vs
>>recreational pottery? Does it qualify as professional or production if
>>you make pots to supplement your income?
>>
>>We're using these terms to try to define what is appropriate in our
>>studio (non-profit club in a parks & recreation community center...).
>
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Don Jung has written to me via personal email the following information.
Don Jones
>
>We charge a paltry $12 (Canadian!) a month. Includes firing, glazes,
>studio time, space, wheels, etc. Only thing they need to buy is clay.
>The Community Center pays for the electricity and the provides the
>facilities ($35/mth user fee...subsidized!). So, I consider it a deal
>and we've tried real hard to keep it that way...no paid staff, all
>volunteer work to fire, mix glazes, etc (That's another story
>though...seems like a few are doing all the work).
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It seems to me that money is the primary issue here. Community programs
exist to promote the feeling of community in a city or small town not
satisfy the income needs of a few production potters. You might consider
charging per piece according to a cubic inch measuring box. Say .03 cents
per cu inch. That way the people who make just a few pieces for their own
enjoyment won't mind the expense and the people who use the cheap
facilities for their own profit will feel the pinch.
This situation exists at universities and colleges too. When I was a tech
in my early days I used to resent being one of Santas elves around
Christmas time, loading countless mugs and bowls and casserole dishes.
Don Jones
Claysky@highfiber.com
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