|
Pots of Ponsonby Co-operative is the name of a group of 13 Auckland potters and jewellers who grouped together to sell their work from a retail gallery on Ponsonby Road, Auckland, until March 2008 when spiraling costs forced it to close.
The gallery opened in 1981 and operated for nearly 27 years. It was an ideal outlet for quality handmade New Zealand pottery, jewellery and giftware, and many customers enjoyed choosing a wedding or special occasion gift, or a souvenir of New Zealand to take home or send overseas. Individual pieces have also been given as corporate gifts.
Pots of Ponsonby started with 12 potters initially, but over the years more than 60 different craftspeople were involved with the group, not including the present members. Work from past members was often still available in the gallery and many still keep in touch. Only one of the original group is still actively involved in 2008.
As members of the co-operative the artists voluntarily worked in the gallery which gave them greater contact with the public; they each had direct input into the way their work was displayed, and they had the freedom to show new and experimental work in a sympathetic environment.
This philosophy still exists within the group today.
Each artist’s work is their own individual design, is hand-made and produced in their own studios throughout the Auckland area. As the pieces are mostly unique, some decorative effects and sizes may vary slightly from those represented in the photos.
The artists involved in the co-operative may be contacted directly by telephone and/or email, and visits to their studios are welcome, but please telephone first. Their contact information is on their individual pages along with other links to their work.
|