What is it?

The Greater Lansing Potters’ Guild’s Visiting Potter program is designed to provide advanced potters an opportunity for independent study and skill development in a cooperative environment with other potters. The Guild provides an environment in which artistic and production skills can be learned, clay and glaze materials are provided, as well as a variety of printed resources, workshops, seminars and mentoring assistance of Guild members. There should be no assumption that participation in the VP program leads to additional VP terms or to a more permanent association with the Guild.

Visiting Potter Term

If selected, a person may be a Visiting Potter for a maximum of two terms. The first term is for eleven months from March 1 through January 31. A second term for thirteen months from March 1 through March 31 of the following year may be possible upon reapplication and acceptance.

Application Requirements for 1st and 2nd Terms

• Advanced potting skills typically requiring 6-8 terms of pottery study or equivalent experience
• Submission of a completed application form to be received by the membership chairperson no later than January 16, 2008
• A display at the Guild that illustrates proficiency in forming and glazing techniques and artistic and creative understanding. Guidelines for the display include…

  • Approximately ten pieces of varied shapes and sizes made during the past two years
  • Functional pots with lids and handles or hand-built pieces with attachments
  • A body of work demonstrating the development of an idea
• An interview with the Guild membership committee

Application Form:

For a printer friendly pdf application form click here.

Selection Criteria

VP selection criteria include technical competence and artistic expression with clay, potential for growth, time availability, ability to handle financial obligations and ability to function as part of an artist cooperative. Artistic and technical competencies of those seeking a second VP term are expected to show improvement. The number of VPs selected may vary from year to year based on space availability and the discretion of the membership committee.

VP Obligations

• Full participation in the Guild’s work requirements including a minimum of 5 hours per month of “heavy” jobs (kiln stacking, cleaning, glaze making, etc.), from 8-10 hours of work per sale, and attendance at sale and general meetings. Please note that most VPs find that Guild activities require many hours beyond the minimum.
• First term annual fee of $350 plus a refundable $50 key deposit. Second term annual fee of $414 plus the same key deposit.

For further information contact:
Sara Laitala - GLPG Membership Chairperson
517-349-2172

Current Visiting Potters

Jenny Penn is finishing her second term Visiting Potter for 2007-2008. To see some of Jenny's ceramic creations, please visit this web page. Geoff Gamble has just begun his second year as a Visiting Potter for 2008-2009.

return to top
home / about the guild / classes / visiting potter program / sales
member profiles / community outreach / workshops / FAQs / links
contact us / members only