Spinning and shaping since 1967
Hawaii Potters’ Guild (HPG) was founded in 1967 by several potters desiring to form an active center to “experience clay” for the community. Since then, it has grown into a thriving studio with many of its potters being active in the local arts scene.
Our studio was established at its current location through an agreement with the Church of the Crossroads, whose mission also includes promoting community service and educational programs. The University of Hawai’i and the State Foundation for Culture and the Arts also provided support towards the founding of Hawaii Potters’ Guild.
Milestones
1967
Hawaii Potters’ Guild began with a group of potters, who with much faith and hope and lots of hard labor and with help from friends, organizations and institutions, transformed a church’s backyard and a caretaker’s shack into a Ceramics Center.
You can read a more detailed history of Hawaii Potters’ Guild first year here.
1968
In January 1968, Hawaii Potters’ Guild welcomed its charter members: Lucille Anderson, May Chee, Edith Carlsmith, Eleanor Cooper, Ellen Nishi, Sara Preble, Philip Wulff, Louise Wulff, Alberta Yamada, Virgina Oudufaly, Ayako and Masawo Tanaka.
2004
In 2004, the studio underwent major renovations to improve the facility. In addition to providing a better working space, HPG also increased the number of classes and increased studio hours.
2009
The Hawai‘i Potters' Guild started Empty Bowl Hawai‘i, joining in an international grassroots effort in ending hunger. This biennial fundraiser first took place in conjunction with our 42nd anniversary exhibition at The ARTS at Marks Garage.
With your support this event has grown from our first 700 bowl effort to over 3,000 bowls in 2019 and has raised more than $xx,000 for those in need.
2010
The HPG Educational Outreach program, Building with Clay, was established as a clay instruction program for underserved youth and adults in schools and community centers on O’ahu.
Through this program, HPG is committed to building community, self-confidence, and opportunities for creative growth through the teaching of ceramics.
2017
In conjunction with our 50th Anniversary, Hawaii Potters’ Guild presented Ceramics of Hawaii, the first statewide juried exhibition of ceramic arts in Hawaii.
Juried by noted Kauai ceramicist David Kuraoka, the exhibit showcased the variety and quality of current Hawaii ceramics and fostered stronger bonds in the greater Hawaii ceramics community.
The exhibit also paid tribute to Hawaii Ceramics pioneers Harue McVay, Isami Enomoto, Claude Horan and Toshiko Takaezu.
2020
The building and inaugural firing of the Susan Rogers-Aregger Kiln occurred, thanks to the generosity of donor Dan Fox, kiln chairs Jack Lewin and Roy Yamashiro and master kiln builder Justin Lambert and his fabulous crew.
We are so very grateful to Dan and to Susan, whose legacy lives on through the firings she'll reign over. Our new kiln helps ensure that our studio can thrive and continue our mission to help the community experience clay for years to come.
2022
In celebration of our 55th Anniversary and in honor of Garden Chair Emeritus Letty Geschwind, we came together to build the Totem Poles Project.
Visit HPG’s garden to enjoy the collective work of our talented students and members, who came together to breathe new and beautiful life into our garden.
2023
The HPG garden continues to evolve thanks to the garden committee’s makeover and “On The Fence” projects.
A glimpse of Hawaii Potters’ Guild throughout the years.
