Fonds GB 0210 CERAMIC - University of Wales Aberystwyth Ceramic Archive,

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.