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2023 Memberships, Help on Open Day, April Raffle and more

We had put new memberships on hold recently while we waited for the financial year t come to a close. That day is today, which means, if you have a WSP membership, it is expiring this evening.We value our members who are our community and the reason we exist as a club. Membership fees are important for us to continue to operate as we do: as a not-for-profit community organisation with a vision of a vibrant and inclusive community for clay. While we also provide services to non-members, thro...

Javier Murcia and the WSP Open Day

Javier Murcia is returning to WSP in July for two weekend sculpture workshops: Head Studies (1-2 July) and Simplified Figure (8-9 July).Javier Murcia, a Spanish sculptor, studied fine arts at the University of La Laguna in the Canary Islands. He combined these studies with the study of anatomy at the Faculty of Medicine of the same university to develop full command of this beautiful subject that he is so passionate about.Javier is an internationally recognised artist with pieces completed and s...

Teapots with Suzy Dunser, a Phoenix wood firing, new classes and other news

A treat for our wheel throwers!Are you keen to learn the fundamentals of teapot creation? During this 2-day workshop, you will learn how to understand the different components of a teapot, how to optimise their function, and how the teapot components interact with each other visually. You will have the opportunity to make and assemble two different thrown teapots, exploring different bodies, lids, handles and spouts.Intermediate level workshop for those confident centering 1k...

New beginner classes, a raku firing and exhibitions

A couple of weeks ago, we let you know that we are trialing a new clear glaze recipe. Some crazing has been spotted on pieces made with Macs Mud Classic White. If you have experienced crazing with any other clay body please let us know. We will continue to try to fix any glaze issues so feedback is welcomed. ...

Glaze updates, The Mighty Throwdown + Support our Hawkes Bay Friends

You will notice a new clear glaze (photos above) which is out in full force after many tests.Ongoing supply issues with raw glaze materials means that our cone 6 glazes will vary in appearance and availability for the foreseeable future. This could mean some new additions. We will update you with regular test tiles.We have some Abbott's glazes that have been donated and are available for members to use for a limited time. We would love for everyone to try these out, so please be consid...

Fresh clay, clear glaze and wood fire magic

Lots of clay has arrived this week! Notable mentions:Walkers paper clay (restock)Walker’s specialty clays (restock)Macs Speckled Buff (new)10kg of Macs Mud availablePrimo Black Clay (available next week)Primo Toast (next week)Recycled Clay – 6kg bags available for a limited time...

And so it begins.. Term 1!

Nestled amongst the luscious oak trees of the WSP carpark, The 'Throwdown' will take place at the studio on Sat 25th Pēpuere/Feb 2-5pm and is open to all members (experienced or beginner). There will be a variety of challenges to take part in with bragging privileges + choccys for the winners. This is about spending time together and having fun + a kai during the day, if you'd like to bring a plate. If you are keen to take part, please sign up here....

For the love of wood firing

Who would have thought that poking some old untreated pallet sticks into a box of bricks could be so transformative?I confess that I already had some clue as I had done many wood firings at Ross Mitchell-Anyon's place in Whanganui about a quarter of a century ago. Not only was it transformative for us as potter people but also for the pots that we committed to the fire...Firstly it transforms the pottery - the plain clay slips that were dipped and sprayed onto our pots will transf...

Latest from the studio and last dash for woodfiring

We are sad to report that we have had a cash theft from the studio. Friday was a quiet studio day but someone still managed to locate our cash box and steal it. Mostly, we are sad that this has happened to our little community pottery where we are working to make ceramic arts accessible to the community. It is also tough for us as a charity working on limited resources and feeling stretched this financial year. Please don't be offended or frustrated if you notice us tightening up on our security...

2023 welcome back to the studio

Hello and Happy New Year potters!We hope you all had an awesome summer holiday and are now feeling very relaxed.We are back in the studio and feeling refreshed and excited about the year ahead. We are planning great things for 2023 and look forward to accompanying you on your pottery journey.We are still in semi-holiday mode as Term 1 is still a few weeks away. The classes are all online now and can be booked so please take a look at the classes we are offering if you wish to join one. You know ...

Meri Kirihemete from the team

It's been a year of highs and lows but we are definitely regaining some of the pre-COVID19 rhythm again. You all bring a warmth to the studio that helps us through the challenging times and makes the hard mahi all worthwhile. We hope you all have a great holiday, have some fun, relax and recharge. May the coming weeks be what you need....

End of week studio news

20 December, 5.30 at Waikato Society of Potters I know schedules are jam-packed at this time of year but if you are free, we would love to see you at the Christmas party next week. It's our opportunity to say thank you for giving life to the studio; for bringing us joy when we unload your pieces from the kiln and say "wow, look at that!"; for hanging around a little longer after class to have a cuppa and a chat. Let's celebrate another year gone by together for our wee clay community. ...

Latest news: An exhibition/market, Clay Festival 2023 and more

An exhibition and sale opportunity  |  Clay Festival Waikato 2023  |  Preparing for the holidays  |  Wood firing January 2023  |  Christmas Party  |  This weekend in the studio  |  Next week in the studio  ...

A pop-up, building and garden changes and other news

Larissa (aka Larry), who you will know as one of our awesome studio team, has been busy in her spare time organising a pop-up shop. This weekend, you can find all kinds of clever and beautiful curios made by New Zealand creatives, including pottery by Larry. There will also be yummy food, coffee. and I gather poetry and music. If you are around this weekend and so inclined, please stop by to show some support for our wonderful independent creatives. If you are Christmas shopping it will also be ...

Key end of year dates

We are now in the busy firing time of the year, the pressure is increasing on our kiln team, and we have had to make the decision to accept no further private kiln bookings. As a club and teaching studio, our priority is to club and class firing. We currently can not keep an acceptable turnaround with the pressure for kiln space if we continue to give one kiln up to private bookings. This means that while demand continues at current levels, all work needs to go through club firings at a piece by...

Potters' Press 15 November 2022

2023 Exhibition  |  Schedule changes  |  Clay bags wanted  |  Upcoming workshops  |  Important dates...

Potters' Press 7 November 2022

It's only the start of the third week of Term 4 and our shelves are overflowing. If you have bisqueware to collect - please do so soon. We are beginning to clear out any old work as we have no space for long term storage.Bisqueware: Any bisqueware that has been here for 3 months or longer has now gone. If you have work that is younger than that, it would be greatly appreciated if you could collect it as soon as possible as we are running out of shelf space. Wet cupboards: 1 week max. We have sig...

It's Diploma assessment week

Monday: 1-4pm Open StudioTuesday: 1-4pm Open studio *Note, glaze/kiln room will close at 3pm for glaze makingWednesday: 9.30am-12.30pm Play With Clay; 1-4pm Open StudioThursday: tbc - please check online calendar on Thursday if you are planning to come inFriday: Closed except for viewing Diploma work (see details below) - no drops/pickupsSaturday: 10am-1pm Play With Clay...

Potters' Press 25 October 2022

What a lovely treat to have the extra long weekend with the sun shining, especially as this week kicks off the beginning of Term 4 classes and the start of what is usually the busiest few months in our calendar. I hope you all had a lovely spring weekend. Perhaps you went away or had some time in the garden getting your summer vegetables planted as is customary on Labour Day....

Potters' Press 17 October 2022

The week ahead  |  Electrical work  |  Upcoming workshops  |  WSP Members Facebook Group  |  Last chance to book for Term 4 classes  | Other business...

Potter's Press 10 October 2022

Some studio business  |  Diploma 2023   |  UKU Clay Hawkes Bay  |  Upcoming exhibition  |  Classes  |  This week in the studio...

Potters' Press and the week ahead

Term 4 classes |  Holiday season planning  |  Workplace Christmas bookings  |  Studio business  ...

Potters' Press 16 September 2022

Do you have a little time to volunteer? We need some help with some jobs around the studio: Kiln loading - Margaret is jet-setting again for a few weeks, this time to Australia. Exciting adventures to be had. While she is away, we could do with some help loading the kilns. If you have an hour or two in an afternoon, say on a Wednesday or a Friday as well as some kiln loading experience, we could use some help over the coming weeks.Play with Clay - we could always use some extra help looking...

Potters' Press 2 September 2022 - Welcoming spring

Glaze problems  |  Kiln for sale  |  Housekeeping  |  Potter's mark or stamp  |  Our alumna hitting the news  |  Next week ...

Potters' Press 26 August 2022

A lesson in clay suitability  |  Housekeeping  |  PWC changes and general studio access  |  Mighty Waikato Pottery Throwdown news  |  National woodfiring exhibition...