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For kids, there‘s nothing quite like getting their hands in the mud. And they can do that and more this March Break at the Waterloo Potters‘ Workshop, a local nonâ€"profit coâ€"operative organization that runs out of the Jacob Eby farmhouse in Waterloo Park. "It‘s like playing in the sand, in some ways," said Marlen Moggach, who‘s responsiâ€" ble for the group‘s programming. _ â€" "They‘ll learn handâ€"eye coâ€"ordination and ways to use their ideas creatively, and it‘s good social interaction for them and good Celebrating its milestone 40th anniversary this year, the WPW is devoted to promoting knowledge of clay, which it does through children and adult classes, as well as in â€" house sessions and workshops for members. Forty years of pottery Its March Break classes â€" which have been held for many years â€" run March 10â€"13 in the morning, and on March 22. _ â€" Kids aged seven and up can sign up for the handbuilding class, which includes an introduction to nonâ€"wheel techniques. â€" "They will start with a ball of clay, and pinch and pinch and pinch and turn it into whatever they want," said Maria Jozwiakowsâ€" ki, who heads up the WPW‘s children‘s proâ€" â€"_ "It‘s amazing how creative they get." The classes cost $65 plus GST, and kids will take away up to 10 pieces of pottery. In the past, Jorwiakowski has found kids can‘t wait to be 10 so they can take that class. "They want to try the wheel because to them it is really magical," she said. "They see a lump of clay in the middle of the wheel and within seconds it is being turned into someâ€" thing." Waterloo Potters‘ Workshop celebrates milestone anniversary in 2008 A wheel program, in which older kids can make bowls, mugs and more, has already reached its capacity. â€" s Many of the participating children‘s parâ€" ents took classes at the WPW when they were young. | 00000000000 _ â€" _ "Even though they didn‘t carry on, they still want their children to experience this," Jorwiakowski said. Kids are normally delighted with what they‘ve produced with their own two hands, and some plan to give their work as gifts. _ "They just love doing this, and experiâ€" menting," Jozwiakowski said, adding it‘s not too early to sign up for the children‘s July and August programs by. calling her at 519â€"886â€" 0765. Adult classes run throughout the year, and with the winter session finishing now, the group has found it has enough demand for a second one that could start in March. Those interested in signing up should call Moggach at 519â€"664â€"3841. By Jennirer OrmstON Chronicle Staff Although there‘s a misconception among some that the WPW is a profitable business, it‘s really a notâ€"forâ€"profit group that just breaksâ€"even. Each of the coâ€"operative‘s members has a job, ranging from sales to maintenance. _ They all pay yearly membership fees, which, along with the group‘s biannual sales at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Comâ€" plex, keep the WPW running. The group is always looking for new members, and its numbers fluctuate from between 115 to 150. To join, people need a litâ€" tle bit of experience, which they can get with a WPW beginner class. "Then ;'ou become a member and that‘s when you really start to learn," Moggach said. "It‘s just a great medium to work with. Potter Ellen Desjardins throws a pot at the Waterloo Potters® Workshop, in Waterloo Park, last week. The WPW‘s next sale at the Waterloo Memorial Recreation Complex will run April 25â€"27. For more information on the group, go to www.waterloopotters.ca. "It‘s therapeutic and a great way to express ARTS FOCUS your creative urges. She said the group is excited about its longevity â€"â€" especially because it‘s run by volâ€" unteers. _ "And it‘s art that‘s usable. You can make things that are beautiful, that you can use as well and enjoy every day." { â€" It all began when nine local potters borâ€" rowed wheels and a kiln in 1968 to form the Potters‘ Workshop, a group that was incorpoâ€" rated as the Waterloo Potters‘ Workshop a year later. By 1973, the WPW‘s popularity had swelled to more than 200 members. Its bianâ€" nual sales grew, and extensions and improveâ€" ments to the Eby farmhouse were made. Eventually a library was established as well. Today, its mission remains the same as its founders had intended: to promote an interâ€" WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, February 27, 2008 * 23 The group is hoping to hold an open house and picnic in June to celebrate its anniversary. s â€" â€" est and knowledge in the making of pottery. In addition to fulfilling its mandate, the group is also concerned about giving back to the community. â€" o That‘s why it takes part in the Empty Bowls fundraiser each year with local restauâ€" rants and the Canadian Clay and Glass The potters make the bowls, the restauâ€" rants make the soup and the gallery provides the location to raise money for the food JENNMIFER ORMSTON PHOTO