About the Club
Champaign-Urbana Potters’ Club Since 1969
The Champaign-Urbana Potters’ Club (CUPC) first convened in 1969, as an affiliate of the Champaign Park District (CPD). In 1972, the CUPC moved to the Thornburn Recreation Center, operated by the Urbana Park District (UPD). When the Thornburn Center was condemned, CUPC re-joined the CPD as an affiliate with shared studio space in the Springer Recreation Center. In 2006, the CUPC began operating as a not-for-profit, as defined under section IRC 501(c)(4), providing a unique resource for the East Central Illinois community. The CUPC moved to its current location in Urbana in 2009 to have more autonomy and better accommodate members’ schedules.
The CUPC adopted the following mission statement in 2014:
"The Champaign-Urbana Potters' Club is a studio cooperative for local ceramics artists, with membership open to all seeking a supportive, communal space in which to create. Managed entirely by its members, the CUPC strives to encourage arts in the community through classes, demonstrations, workshops, and public events."
Our goals are to support ceramic education and provide learning opportunities to CUPC members and the larger community. The collaborative nature of the CUPC enables continuing education in all aspects of the ceramics process. For the East Central Illinois community, we offer a beginner adult pottery class occasionally, sponsor guest lectures, and collaborate with Kickapoo Pottery for raku firing demonstrations that are open to the public.
On the right is Thornburn Recreation Center, demolished in the 1993. On the left is Thornburn High School demolished in 1972.
Amenities
Membership benefits include 24/7 studio access, use of club materials and equipment, and interaction with other potters. Fees are kept to a minimum through the use of members’ labor to maintain the studio and through annual sales.
Brent electric wheels
Spray booth
Cone 6 electric kiln
Pug mill
Wedging tables
Slab roller
Various glazes and underglazes
White, red, and brown speckle stoneware clay, raku clay
Clay working tools
