The Great Mugging

Overview

The Auckland Studio Potters is a society for professional potters, students and everyone in-between, offering facilities for firing clay, equipment for hire and regular classes and workshops. It's a wonderful community resource, based in Onehunga since 1975, and I have only been alerted to its existence by the Auckland Studio Potters' participation in Artweek Auckland this year.

The Great Mugging is taking place on one day only, within the short stretch of time between 7am and 10am on October 17. No, you will not by jumped by a band of rogue potters and relieved of all your personal belongings. The event is a peaceful, amiable affair that might see you gain a new mug to join your kitchen shelf collection. Members of the society plan to take posts near a number of selected cafes on Ponsonby Road. Lucky passers by will be greeted with an offer to swap their take-away cups for unique hand-made mugs in an attempt to encourage appreciation for craft, and dissuade the usage of disposable and mass-produced cups. Each mug will be marked with a tag, stating the maker's name and a link to a blog which provides a space for participants to discuss their experience.

It's a lovely idea and an awesome pun, so you should get yourself to Ponsonby early on Friday October 17 and score yourself a spiffy new mug. Check out their Facebook page for some sneak previews of what's up for grabs—some covetable pottery is popping up.