Pyree Village Art and Handmade Market coordinator, Stan Karpinski, and acting president of the Shoalhaven Potters Inc., Betty Hume, say the markets are more alive than ever. Image: Grace Crivellaro

An old demountable classroom lies on the corner of Greenwell Point Road and Culburra Beach Road in Pyree.

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Inside, the craft of pottery binds a community of local creatives - the Shoalhaven Potters Incorporated.

After being forced to pause their Pyree Arts and Crafts Market for five months due to the pandemic and dreary weather, members were concerned about the survival of their group.

But the love for the art form appears to extend to the wider community, with the market more alive than ever in its 26^th year.

Shoalhaven Potters: Inside the old demountable classroom on the corner of Greenwell Point Road and Culburra Beach Road, the craft of pottery binds a community of local creatives. Image: Grace Crivellaro.

"I was very worried. I told the committee to budget in a significant drop in income," says market coordinator Stan Karpinski.

"But it's amazing, it's actually been the opposite. Since we've got the market back up and running and the weather's been okay, we're actually averaging about 15 per cent more stalls, and probably 50 per cent more public through the market.

"And I think its come down to the fact that people were shut up for so long."

The markets run on the fourth Sunday of every month and are the group's main source of funding. Acting president of the Shoalhaven Potters Inc. Betty Hume says the increase in market-goers comes down to "people wanting to see something different".

"Being handmade, nothing looks like what you're buying in the shops. A lot of people like that, don't they?"

Acting President of the Shoalhaven Potters Inc. Betty Hume showing me inside the kiln room. Image: Grace Crivellaro.

Although the markets are now bustling with activity, Stan says the pandemic caused the group's membership to decline.

"We're down to slightly below half our membership that was pre-COVID," he says.

"Because of that lack of resources, we don't have a sausage sizzle anymore."

Stan says he first got "roped into" being involved in markets when he helped out with the sausage sizzle stall with his wife Beverley, a Shoalhaven Potter.

Unique and handmade: Betty Hume shows me finished products by the Shoalhaven Potters: Grace Crivellaro

Being no stranger to a challenge when it comes to the markets, Stan voluntarily stepped up as the coordinator when it was rapidly declining. In four years, he managed to increase the amount of stalls from six to 51.

"We had a market manager. And unfortunately, she fell ill very quickly," says Stan.

"And suddenly there was a complete vacuum and we had no information. Then the market declined rapidly to the point where it was hardly worthwhile.

"It was going to close itself at the rate it was going. So I offered to step in and get the market going again, because without some income from the market, the potters wouldn't evolve.

"Just before I stepped in, we had only six stallholders here plus a few potter's tables. In the December market, we had 51 stalls."

"We have to thank Stan because he has been absolutely marvelous," says Betty.

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So,how did Stan revive the markets? He explains his meticulous process.

"First thing I did was I went to the last market receipt book and wrote down a dozen phone numbers that people have put on their receipts. I rang them all for feedback about the market and some were very forthcoming about how it declined," he says.

"I put my thinking cap on and organised stuff. I rang the stallholders and told them we're going to get it going again and said this time we're going to start advertising.

"I started advertising on Facebook, local radio stations, local newspapers, community radio and I put out signs consistently. For each market, we put out 12 signs. And once we got a bit of momentum, things built back up relatively quickly."

"He has been absolutely marvelous": Stan Karpinski stepped up as the market coordinator four years ago. Image: supplied.

As it turns out, pottery is an expensive and technical hobby.

"Everybody who asks about the society is told pottery isn't like going into watercolours," explains Stan.

"You spend a couple hundred dollars on paints and brushes and buy a bit of paper and go do some watercolours.

"We have to run kilns and we're having another delivered later this month. It cost over $23,000."

Shoalhaven Potters are chipping away at their work for the upcoming Pyree Arts and Crafts Market. Images: Grace Crivellaro

From beginner to the experienced, the Shoalhaven Potters Incorporated find camaraderie and joy in their friendly environment.

Inside their studio, members are chipping away at their work that will be up for grabs at their upcoming market stalls.

"I love making things, it's like Christmas when you open the kiln because it's a surprise every time," says group treasurer Pat Lucock, while making miniature frogs for the children's lucky dip.

"It's something you never get tired of. Especially for older people, to keep the mind and your body active, I think it's probably one of the best things you can do."

Pat Lucock was making frogs for the children's lucky dip for the Pyree markets. Image: Grace Crivellaro.

Not limited to just pottery, the market stalls also feature other handmade goods including artworks, woodcraft, natural fibre baskets, resin, fresh produce and coffee vans.

The markets are held on the corner of Greenwell Point Road and Culburra Beach Road, with the next market date this Sunday, February 28.

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