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Exhibition reminder, Sales opportunity for artists and studio updates

Term 3 is underway with classes beginning this week. This evening's Introduction to Pottery class and Sunday's Wheel Throwing Taster and now sold out. Play with Clay is running tomorrow 10am until 1pm....

Mānawatia a Matariki, WSP Exhibition 2023, studio maintenance and reopening

The studio will be closed tomorrow to celebrate Matariki.Matariki is a time of reflection, celebration and preparation, although it has only just registered that our studio maintenance closure was timed perfectly.While cleaning and decluttering, we have come across boxes of old memorabilia including the sales book from the 1st Waikato Society of Potters members' exhibition in 1973. Here we are planning the 51st! In the coming months, we will, look through these boxes and share some of the memori...

Thank you volunteers! Studio hours + winter reminders...

Special mention to all our volunteers! There's a lot to get done in a day around here and we are feeling very supported. Shout out to Emma, Meg, Lisa, Burns, Craig, Lydia, Yasmin and Stephen who have offered extra support this week and of course all of our long time volunteers and committee members. We really appreciate it and see you <3...

Holiday schedule, an expo, workshops + exhibitions

Classes + workshops |  Studio maintenance  |   Volunteering  |  Welcoming Communities Expo  |  Holiday timetable  |  Exhibitions...

Term 3 classes, workshops, studio activities, costumes & more

Term 3 classes are now on EventsPronto and open for registrations. The evening classes are usually popular and so we recommend booking quickly to avoid disappointment.There have been a few changes to the class schedule for Term 3:Libby's Tuesday class has moved to a Thursday morning slot;Sylvia Sinel is back in Term 3 to tutor a special 4 week class combing wheel thrown pieces with sculptural techniques;Nicolette is taking a break with Yasmin stepping in to cover the Monday evening wheel throwin...

Midwinter feast, raku firing, studio hours + kiln update

Saturday 24th June, 4-6pm at WSP club rooms.We will be hosting a mid-winter pot-luck dinner at the studio and invite all our members to join us. The theme is "medieval"  but if you don't feel like dressing up, it is optional so don't let that stop you. Bring along a plate to share or just stop by to say hello....

Kiln maintenance, throwing class, health and safety, kiln for sale + an exhibition

Great team work! Emma Meyers made us this lovely "open" sign and Lara Rye used her metal work skills to make a chain to hang it with. ...

New committee, AGM draft minutes, studio updates + a survey

The team at WSP would like to extend heartfelt sympathy to Bev McKenzie for the passing of her husband, Wally. We will keep you and your whānau in our thoughts and wish you comfort and peace. We are so sorry for your loss, Bev....

Join us at the AGM - in person or online

Our Annual General Meeting is approaching and we would love to see our members there. Coming out on a winter's evening isn't always enticing, so this year we have made it possible for people to attend remotely if preferred. However, we plan to have some nibbles on the evening for those who can make it in person.When: Tuesday 23 May, 2023 at 6pmWhere: The Waikato Society of Potters Studio, Norris Ward Park, Hamilton or online using the link https://meet.google.com/qis-tqra-ppv...

Upcoming exhibitions + what's on at WSP

Our annual exhibition is approaching with the opening scheduled for 17th August. Unfortunately, one of our major sponsors has changed how they will be supporting clubs so we have lost two of our major awards this year. If you or your business would like to sponsor an award at our exhibition, please get in touch. It is a wonderful exhibition that is a notable event in the Waikato ceramics calendar, showing a wide range of skills and talent amongst our community. ...

Annual General Meeting, a few class spaces, woodfiring postponed + a car boot sale

When: Tuesday 23 May, 2023 at 6pmWhere: The Waikato Society of Potters Studio, Norris Ward Park, HamiltonWe will review our past year, the annual accounts, vote in our committee and make plans. A final agenda will follow shortly for the AGM. Only financial members are able to vote at the AGM.Call for Nominations of committee members and Notices of MotionNotices of Motion must be received no later than 3pm on Tuesday 16 May. Please send to the committee at waikatopot...

Congratulating Larissa, Term 2 next week, kids class + a kiln for sale

A message from  WSP President, Tess MayWhat a great day out for whanau to experience creating with clay at the Society’s inaugural Open Day held on Saturday 15th of April.The kaupapa of the day is to give the wider community experience with clay with the view to inspire them and the next generation about creating with clay. I think the adults were more excited than the young ones, expressing that they have always wanted to try working with clay but hadn’t taken the opportunity until now...

New term 2 classes, 'Open Day' creations + last minute teapot tickets..

It was great to see some new faces at the 'Open Day' this year. We appreciate the community of volunteers who came together to help. 'Open Day' creations will be available for pick up towards the end of next week. We had a few casualties in the bisque firing and couldn't identify the names, so we apologise if you can't find your piece. ...

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. ...