Kia ora fam!
Sorry for the radio silence the last couple of weeks, it’s been a busy, busy time!
Ethel and Doris are looking very grand and are bedding in. After 4 test firings, we’ve gotten Doris to the correct bisque firing temp now and she’s currently cooking her second load of pots. Next we’ll be doing the same for Ethel, and then working on getting the correct Cone 6 firing programme set for them both. And then all the other firing programmes we do!
In other news, our teaching term is coming to an end, with most classes finishing up this week and just two more Thursday classes on next week, so we’ll have lots of Members’ Open Studio sessions in those spaces. In the term break we’ve got Open Day happening in 2 weeks, and we’ve got a bunch of workshops for your clay-hungry fingers to get into over the break. Take a look at all that news below…
And in BIG news, you may have heard we’re getting a new kitchen! Below is what you need to know about the install 😊
New Kitchen – shazaaam!
You may have heard that we’re getting a swanky new kitchen, courtesy of our fabulous landlords, HCC! The install is happening next week! Here’s what you need to know about the work…
On Monday and Tuesday the existing kitchen will be demolished and the space will be prepared for the new one. It could be a bit noisy and messy for a while.
The water will be turned off temporarily while the connection to the kitchen taps and dishwasher are closed off. We have been assured that the bathroom will still be functional for the Whatawhata school group on Monday morning.
Plumbers and electricians will be in to prepare for relocating the dishwasher. And wiring will be installed for when we get a proper oven, stove and rangehood further down the track.
The new kitchen will be installed from Wednesday and is expected to be completed by end of day Friday, and there will be some periods when the water needs to be shut off again for the pipes to be reconnected.
In the meantime we will need to use the kettle to boil water for hot drinks and for doing dishes. Please help out with this by washing your own dishes as you finish with them, or bring them from home and take them away again for washing 💖
Thanks in advance for your patience with this, we hope you’ll love the new, revitalised kitchen and social space this is going to give us!
Open Day Volunteers
Saturday 12th April, 10am – 2pm
Our big old Open Day is only 2-weeks away, on the 12th of April. This is where we will be opening up the studio and running lots of potty activities for anyone and everyone who wants to come and take a gander, make a few pieces, and see how good working with clay is.
And of course, we can’t run this awesome day without the contribution of our beautiful volunteers! If you’re keen to help us show the world how fab our club is, we’d be stoked to have you with us. If you can help for a couple of hours in the morning, or in the afternoon, or even for the whole day, we would be immensely grateful. There'll be a range of activities running, so there will be something everyone can help with, no matter your pottery skill level. Things like:
Selling activity tickets
Selling raffle tickets
Helping people underglaze their paint-a-pots
Showing people how to make and decorate pinch pots
Helping glaze the raku pots
Helping smoke the raku pots
Showing people how to make a wheel-thrown pot
Slippery dip helpers
If this sounds like a bit of you, sign-up for a time slot here, or on the register in the studio.
Massive thanks to all who have volunteered so far, we are excited to have your help in showcasing this awesome club xx
Memberships for 2025-2026
Our new membership year starts next week on the 1st of April! The 2025-2026 membership year is now live on the class bookings page, so your can renew your membership now.
By becoming a member you not only support the WSP in nurturing an inclusive pottery community for all, you also gain the following benefits:
Access to the dedicated Members’ Open Studio Sessions. Typically there are an additional 4-10 Open Studio sessions per week.
Discounted Play with Clay sessions.
Further discounts for Members' Open Studio and PWC sessions when purchasing a Concession Card.
Utilising our firing service for pieces made outside of classes and Play with Clay.
Discounted class and workshop enrolments.
Entry into the Annual WSP Exhibition at Arts Post.
Membership events such as the Mighty Waikato Pottery Throw Down.
The WSP membership term is based on our financial year, so runs from the 1st of April to the 31st of March the following year.
We offer a 12-month membership term running for the full year, or two 6-month membership terms, running from 1st April to 30th September and from 1st October to 31st March. We are not able to offer membership periods of less than 6-months.
PRICING
1 April 2025 – 31 March 2026
Adult $90
Child $35
Prices are regardless of the date you join and are non-refundable.
1 April 2025 –3 0 September 2025 and/or
1 October 2025 – 31 March 2026
Adult $50
Child $20
Prices are regardless of the date you join and are non-refundable.
Members’ Pottery and Art Market at Open Day
As part of Open Day, we'd like to offer our members the opportunity to sell their pottery, or other hand-made arts and crafts on the day.
We will have 10 spaces set aside in the carpark in front of the studio so you can either bring a gazebo and table (please make sure you provide adequate weighting/anchoring for your gazebo in case it's windy), or set up your stall from the boot of your car.
If you don't think you have enough wares for a stall by yourself, you could even get together with your pottery mates and set up a stall together.
There is no charge for the space, and we are not taking a commission on sales! However, you will need to manage your own cash float for sales and/or have your own EFTPOS facilities.
Maximum of 10 spaces, first in best dressed, register here.
The Latest Classes and Workshops
Take a look at these workshops we have on offer …
SAVE THE DATE – 17th April
One piece plaster mould-making workshop with Brogan Houghton
Learn to make a plaster mould for use in drape or press moulding, and even to be used in simple slip casting. More info and a booking link to come soon…
Workshop: Chucks, chums and lids with Tess May
A two-afternoon weekend workshop on Saturday 10th May 1.30pm – 4.30pm
AND Sunday 11th May 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Intermediate Level Throwing
Ever had difficulty with turning pots on the wheel?
Learn how to create chucks and chums to minimise damage to rims and finish off narrow necked shapes professionally, whilst cutting back on the time it takes to turn.
You will learn how to make your own chuck and chum to fit your pots, which can prevent your beautiful clay creations from tipping over or gouging, and trim pieces with narrow, uneven, or fragile rims. Also learn how versatile chucks and chums can be to easily turn lids.
Alternative Firing: Raku
Tuesday 22nd April, 6pm – 9pm
Members and non-members welcome.
We’re raku-ing again! Get involved in this awesome, fast-firing process! Our raku expert, David Kenny, will run this event providing you with an opportunity to fire a few items each.
If you haven’t been part of a raku firing before, they are fun, dramatic, and yield unpredictable but breathtaking results.
Workshop: Get Your Groove On
Learn to make linocuts to emboss clay tiles, with Yasmin Davis
Day 1: Wednesday 2nd April 6-9pm – tile design and lino cutting
Day 2: Wednesday 9th April 6-9pm – making tiles using the linocuts
No experience with clay is required for you to enjoy this class.
All materials are supplied, but firing is not included.
WSP members are encouraged to enter their tiles into the annual exhibition at Artspost in August. You could win the Tile Award!
Kiln loading and license
Learn about loading kilns, kiln wash, firing programmes and more
Monday 7th April, 6pm-8pm
A one-off class where you will learn about loading and firing kilns. If you’d like to learn how to load the WSP kilns so you can hire them for your own work; or if you’ve bought your own kiln recently and would like to learn about how to stack it safely, this class will give you all the info you need.
David will talk about and demonstrate:
Safely stacking the work and the shelves
The difference between a bisque stack and a glaze stack
Clearance between pieces
Using kiln wash on shelves, cookies and kiln props
The difference between a bisque firing programme and a glaze firing programme
The difference between loading an electric kiln and a gas kiln
You don’t need to bring anything with you, you’ll be practising with the work already in the studio.
Learn watercolour painting on ceramics, with Yasmin Davis
Wednesday 16 April 6-9pm
What is provided: Yasmin will bring the watercolours, palettes, and a variety of brushes. Glaze firing is included in the ticket price.
What to bring: bisque-ware and whatever brushes you already have.
NB: the watercolours will show up best on light coloured clay.
Available to purchase: Yasmin will bring some watercolours you can buy from her on the day. $5 each, cash or bank transfer on the day.
Exhibition Opportunity – A Potters Mark – The Arts Village, Rotorua
Entries close 12pm, Saturday 26th of April.
Exhibition runs from 3rd May to 31st May, 11am – 4pm
The collaborative ‘A Potters Mark’ Exhibition, anticipated for May, will be open to potters from across Bay of Plenty and Central Waikato to come together and celebrate the stories behind their work. In this exhibition potters will tell the life stories behind their pottery, answering the deeper questions as to why people ‘pot’, and allowing the community a glimpse into how the art of pottery can be a space for rehabilitation and connection.
Classifieds
Talisman wheel for sale
One owner only. $800. Pick up Ngaruawahia. Please contact Tess 0274304339.
Cobcraft kiln for sale
Top Loading, top temp 1300 degrees, new elements, also shelves etc, EMC kiln controller, Price: $4500. Please contact Susan Flight via email susanpflight@gmail.com or phone 021 03000 or 027 2716157.
Brand new high alumina kiln shelves for sale
Large quantities of:
450 x 600 x 20mm - $120 each
450 x 450 x 20mm - $90 each
300 x 450 x 20mm - $60 each
Please contact Stuart Allen on 027 2765567.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how things are looking for the coming week, but as always, check the online calendar before you come in 😊
Friday 28th March
9.30am – 4pm, CLOSED for Diploma
6pm – 9pm, Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 29th March
10am – 4pm, CLOSED for Surface Treatment Workshop
Sunday 30th March
10am – 1pm, Wheel Throwing Class
Monday 31st March
9.30am – 12.30pm, CLOSED for Private Workshop
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Tuesday 1st April
9.30am - 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Patsy! xx
Wednesday 2nd April
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay, thanks Mark, Yasmin and Silke! xx
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
4pm – 5.30pm, Kids’ Play with Clay
Thursday 3rd of April
9.30am – 12.30pm, Sculpture Skills Class
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 4th April
9.30am –4pm, Members’ Open Studio
Saturday 5th April
10am – 4pm, CLOSED for Kurinuki Workshop
Sunday 6th April
10am – 1pm, CLOSED for Kurinuki Workshop
