The Albany Village potters are starting the year 2000 with a few changes. After many years, Peter Oxborough, Robyn Stewart and Howard Williams have retired from the shop. Peter and Robyn are both important New Zealand potters and Albany has been fortunate to show so much of their work. Howard Williams, with his great knowledge of the pottery movement and crafts in general, has educated and informed us all with his New Zealand Herald columns and his New Zealand potters magazine. We are sorry to see them go, but we will be keeping in touch!

We welcome Brendan Adams as a new Albany Village Pottery member. His quirky, stylish, colourful and innovative clocks and pots are proving very popular with our discerning customers , Our new guest member Nicky Jolly, is broadening our range still further with her sculptural and figurative forms and brilliant colours.

The rest of the Albany potters are toiling away as usual, developing their own style and ranges so that there is always something new coming through in the shop. Although Barry Hockenhull is still busy building their new complex at Mangawhai, Barbara Hockenhull will soon be starting work again in the new studio and Cecilia Parkinson is making and firing and we all look forward to having her work in the shop again.

We begin the New Year with a wonderful show from our American friend, Jeff Oestreich. We really are very honoured to have the work of this world renowned potter. Jeff has been supported by a special American grant enabling him to exhibit here at Albany. Those who come to the opening of his show will not only be able to have first choice of pots (his shows are always sell outs) but Jeff has also agreed to give a talk about his influences and the impact New Zealand has had on his work. He is a fascinating and amusing speaker. This is not to be missed! We value all our loyal customers - thank you all for your support in the past year and we look forward to seeing you again,