Visitors to Starways walking up the path to the pottery in 1993 would have found pots casually displayed on logs in the open. This was in big contrast to the formal gallery setting of the city and many visitors were charmed by the unusual pots in their informal setting.
The pathway to the pottery is often described as the main artery to Starways, bringing contacts, friendships, information, goodwill and income.
Starways hosts regular free-of-charge visits and guided tours of the Pottery and Gallery to all regional schools. Children are shown the process of making, glazing and the various decorating techniques as well as how Starways fits into local and regional tourism.
The pots made at Starways are wood-fired reduction stoneware created in different styles according to what ceramic avenue the resident and visiting potters are pursuing.
Generally Anglo-Japanese influenced, the visiting potters bring a breath of fresh air to the pots made at Starways.
Resident Potters
Since Anton van der Merwe and Gwyneth Lloyd founded Starways Arts Centre in 1992 and established the Pottery, resident assistant potters have been:
* Willie Mafika 1994-98,
* Pearce van der Merwe 1995-99,
* Luyanda Mafika 1996-2000,
* Michael Haigh 1997-2001,
* Vale van der Merwe 2004-05 and from 2008 to date.
* Mziwekaya Mafika 2007 to date
Starways assisted Willie and Luyanda Mafika to set up their own pottery in Hogsback in 2001 with the funding assistance of the South African Department of Arts and Culture.
Starways and Mafika Pottery are two of three fuel-sustainable potteries in South Africa. The collaboration between these two potteries is ongoing.
Visiting Potters include well known South African potters and ceramists Steve Shapiro, Lesley-Anne Hoets, Yogi de Beer, Adi Carter and Mishak Masuku.
Workshops and Community Projects
Starways Pottery has hosted numerous Raku firings, Pottery exhibitions and Workshops on various pottery related topics over the years. They include large pot making by Yogi de Beer, community pottery making with Mishack Masuku and collaboration with Nelson Mandela's alma mater University of Fort Hare and Walter Sisulu University in an ancient pot making revival of the Eastern Cape. Starways Pottery outreach projects include ongoing technical and material support to Mafika Pottery in Hogsback and Mayekiso Ornaments in Hala Village Thyumie Valley.
The pathway to the pottery is often described as the main artery to Starways, bringing contacts, friendships, information, goodwill and income.
Starways hosts regular free-of-charge visits and guided tours of the Pottery and Gallery to all regional schools. Children are shown the process of making, glazing and the various decorating techniques as well as how Starways fits into local and regional tourism.
The pots made at Starways are wood-fired reduction stoneware created in different styles according to what ceramic avenue the resident and visiting potters are pursuing.
Generally Anglo-Japanese influenced, the visiting potters bring a breath of fresh air to the pots made at Starways.
Resident Potters
Since Anton van der Merwe and Gwyneth Lloyd founded Starways Arts Centre in 1992 and established the Pottery, resident assistant potters have been:
* Willie Mafika 1994-98,
* Pearce van der Merwe 1995-99,
* Luyanda Mafika 1996-2000,
* Michael Haigh 1997-2001,
* Vale van der Merwe 2004-05 and from 2008 to date.
* Mziwekaya Mafika 2007 to date
Starways assisted Willie and Luyanda Mafika to set up their own pottery in Hogsback in 2001 with the funding assistance of the South African Department of Arts and Culture.
Starways and Mafika Pottery are two of three fuel-sustainable potteries in South Africa. The collaboration between these two potteries is ongoing.
Visiting Potters include well known South African potters and ceramists Steve Shapiro, Lesley-Anne Hoets, Yogi de Beer, Adi Carter and Mishak Masuku.
Workshops and Community Projects
Starways Pottery has hosted numerous Raku firings, Pottery exhibitions and Workshops on various pottery related topics over the years. They include large pot making by Yogi de Beer, community pottery making with Mishack Masuku and collaboration with Nelson Mandela's alma mater University of Fort Hare and Walter Sisulu University in an ancient pot making revival of the Eastern Cape. Starways Pottery outreach projects include ongoing technical and material support to Mafika Pottery in Hogsback and Mayekiso Ornaments in Hala Village Thyumie Valley.
