University of Wales Aberystwyth Ceramic Archive,

The collection listed in 1997 comprises: papers concerning the Craft Potters' Association: administative records, 1956-1986, events, 1958-1995, exhibitions, 1957-1995, publications, 1957-1994, and miscellaneous papers. Craft Advisory Council: national organisation, 1953-1990, local and regional organisations, 1956-1997. Museums, libraries, public art galleries, art centres, etc., 1952-1996. Educational establishments, 1956-1996. Private shops and galleries, 1930-1996. Auctions, 1980-1996. Potters' suppliers, 1955-1994. Individual potters and potteries. Miscellaneous publications, c. 1970-1992. Non-United Kingdom material, 1964-1993, including papers relating to a large number of countries. Miscellaneous papers, 1957-1989. The collection listed in 2001 comprises: Craft Potters Association: administration, 1956-1995, and events, 1958-1997. Local and regional organisations - South Wales Potters: administration, 1964-2000, events and exhibitions, 1983-1992, and publications, 1968-2000. Potters' supplies. Later groups remain unlisted.
An additional group of papers to be added to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Ceramic Archive, comprising the records of the Craft Potters Association, including minutes of council meetings, 1958-1997, correspondence, 1968-94, financial accounts, membership applications and subscriptions, 1956-1982, press cuttings and exhibition catalogues; together with papers relating to advertising, pottery suppliers, camps and weekends, the pottery export scheme and rural industries bureau; the group also includes material relating to the South Wales Potters, including minutes of executive committees and annual general meetings, newsletters, membership information, financial accounts and general correspondence.
Additional records, ca. 1980s - 2001, relating to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth School of Art's Ceramic Archive, including correspondence, reviews, draft articles, catalogues and journals, photographs, and craft slides.
Further papers, ca. 1970s-2002, of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, School of Art's Ceramic Archive, including press releases, letters, catalogues and reviews.

The Craft Potters Association archive was initiated in the early 1970s by Robert Fournier, a CPA member, with the aim of collecting documents which would maintain a record of the origins, organisation, activities and development of the Association. By 1988, the CPA archive had grown into a substantial body of material which needed a more permanent and larger location, and its holdings were offered and accepted by the University of Wales Ceramic Archive, based at the School of Art, Aberystwyth. The archive contains material showing how the Craft Potters Association was formed between 1956 and 1957 with the help of the Rural Industries Bureau. In 1958, the Association was registered as a Provident Society and as such was, and is, still organised and run by its members. The Minutes of Council and Annual General Meetings are included from the 1950s to the present time. There is also material showing the range of CPA activities, the most important being exhibition and educational documents. Also included are details of exhibitions held at the CPA shop, London, since 1960 and at other larger venues. Price lists and correspondence relating to solo and group exhibitions are also to be found, together with documents and correspondence concerning the selection process for membership of the CPA. Financial records and accounts are also included. Material relating to educational activities includes information sheets on individual potters talks, workshops, potters camps, festivals and film festivals. There is a wealth of material which documents the organisation of these events by CPA members. The CPA papers also provide a unique record of the development and evolution of the Association. Other material relating to a wider field of ceramics production and activities was also collected: journals and magazines; publicity material for exhibitions from museums, libraries, galleries, educational establishments and shops; publications from auction rooms; catalogues from pottery supplies; information about individual potters and potteries, miscellaneous cuttings and other relevant material. In addition photographs were collected, many of which relate to CPA events.

Arranged by deposit - 1997 and 2002 - in exactly the same order as listed in 'Scope and contents'.

Readers consulting modern papers in the National Library of Wales are required to abide by the conditions noted on the 'Modern papers - data protection' form issued with their Readers' Tickets.

School of Art, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, per Dr Moira Vincentelli; Aberystwyth; Deposit; May 1997 and November 2000
School of Art, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, per Liz McDermott; Aberystwyth; Deposit; May 2002
School of Art, University of Wales, Aberystwyth, per Ms Kathy Talbot; Aberystwyth; Deposit; September 2005

The Craft Potters Association archive was initiated in the early 1970s by Robert Fournier, a CPA member, with the aim of collecting documents which would maintain a record of the origins, organisation, activities and development of the Association. By 1988, the CPA archive had grown into a substantial body of material which needed a more permanent and larger location, and its holdings were offered and accepted by the University of Wales Ceramic Archive, based at the School of Art, Aberystwyth. The archive contains material showing how the Craft Potters Association was formed between 1956 and 1957 with the help of the Rural Industries Bureau. In 1958, the Association was registered as a Provident Society and as such was, and is, still organised and run by its members. The Minutes of Council and Annual General Meetings are included from the 1950s to the present time. There is also material showing the range of CPA activities, the most important being exhibition and educational documents. Also included are details of exhibitions held at the CPA shop, London, since 1960 and at other larger venues. Price lists and correspondence relating to solo and group exhibitions are also to be found, together with documents and correspondence concerning the selection process for membership of the CPA. Financial records and accounts are also included. Material relating to educational activities includes information sheets on individual potters talks, workshops, potters camps, festivals and film festivals. There is a wealth of material which documents the organisation of these events by CPA members. The CPA papers also provide a unique record of the development and evolution of the Association. Other material relating to a wider field of ceramics production and activities was also collected: journals and magazines; publicity material for exhibitions from museums, libraries, galleries, educational establishments and shops; publications from auction rooms; catalogues from pottery supplies; information about individual potters and potteries, miscellaneous cuttings and other relevant material. In addition photographs were collected, many of which relate to CPA events.

Title supplied from contents of fonds. NLW has permission to shred duplicate copies, or unsuitable material. For assistance or information, consult Kathy Talbot on email ktt00@aber.ac.uk.

Hard copies of the catalogues are available at the National Library of Wales. The catalogue can also be accessed online.

August 2006.

Compiled by J. Graham Jones for the ANW project. The following source was used in the compilation of this description: NLW, Schedule of the University of Wales, Aberystwyth Ceramic Archive;

Usual copyright regulations apply.

Action: All records have been retained..

Accruals are possible.

Photographs were also collected, many of which relate to CPA events. These have been transferred to the former Department of Pictures and Maps (199800201- 199800211). Audio Visual Aids received as part of the archive have been transferred to The Sound and Moving Image Collection (VM5674, CM6863, CM6864, FS-UWACA 1-10).

Published

Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru = The National Library of Wales