Hi clay fam
All goes well here – were racing towards our Matariki Hooley on the 28th of June, so remember to get in and get your tickets soon (only one week left to buy Hāngi tickets!), more info on that, plus all the other info below.
The studio is open tomorrow
The previously scheduled Diploma-day is now taking place off site, so the studio will be open for members to use tomorrow. The heaters will be on and the clay vibes will be vibing 😉 Get into it!
Inaugural WSP Matariki Celebration with optional pit firing and catered hāngī
Only two more weeks to this event, and 1 more week to get your Hāngi tickets!
Saturday 28th June 2025
2pm for the loading of the pit fire
5.30pm onwards for the karakia, hāngī and hooley
We're getting together to celebrate Matariki at Caroline Hamilton's property in Tuhikaramea, where we can share a kai, good company and convo, and a pit firing. We'd love for all our WSP friends to join us. Partners and children welcome too.
Find more info and get your tickets here.
Dog Policy
At the Waikato Society of Potters our vision is to create a vibrant inclusive community for clay. Having a dog in the workshop may make it uncomfortable or impossible for some members of the community to safely work in the studio due to phobias and allergies. For this reason we have decided to exclude all animals from the studio except for assistance animals.
The policy
Members are advised that:
The Waikato society of potters committee recognises there are a range of views on the issue
Issues will be dealt with case-by-case by contacting the committee waikatopotters.committee@gmail.com
We reserve the right not to permit a pet in the studio
Assistance animals
A coat is issued for the dog to wear with an organisation’s name on it, and some form of identification for the handler. It is ok to ask what organisation the disability assist dog is certified under.
Wet Work on the Kiln Room Greenware Shelves
As we move into the cold, wet winter months, work is taking longer to dry. While it’s taking a bit longer, please do make use of the drying shelves in the studio, instead of putting wet or partially wet work onto the greenware shelves in the kiln room.
The kiln room is cold, and your work will take longer to dry in there. It also means that as work is drying, it’s taking up room on the shelves, which makes Margaret’s job more difficult. And if you needed more motivation – it also increases the risk that your pieces will explode in the kiln if they get fired while still wet!
Please help us out by putting your drying work in the studio, on the drying shelves until they’re ready to fire. Thanks every so much 😊
Term 3 Classes are up online
Take a look, enrol and share with your clay-curious friends.
Hand Building with Yasmin Davis
Mondays, 6pm-9pm for 8 weeks, starting Monday 28th July
Find more info and enrol here
Intermediate Wheel Throwing with Sarah Steed
Mondays, 9.30am – 12.30pm for 8 weeks, starting Monday 28th July
Find more info and enrol here
Beginner Wheel Throwing Class with Sarah Steed
Tuesdays, 9.30am - 12.30pm for 8 weeks, starting 29th July
Find more info and enrol here
Wheel Throwing with Emily Eales
Wednesdays, 6pm-9pm for 8-weeks, starting 30th July
Find more info and enrol here
Sculpture Skills with Emily Eales
Thursdays, 9.30am-12.30pm for 8-weeks, starting 31st July
Find more info and enrol here
Wheel Throwing with Mark Tamura
Thursdays, 6pm-9pm for 7-weeks, starting 31st July
Find more info and enrol here
Introduction to Pottery with David Kenny
Fridays, 6pm - 9pm for 4-weeks, starting 1st August
Find more info and enrol here
Wheel Throwing Taster with Sarah Steed
Sundays, 10am-1pm for 4-weeks, starting 24th August
Find more info and enrol here
Reminders
Studio Closure, 14th July – 27th July
Hamilton City Council are replacing the roof over the whole Ward Park Arts Centre complex, and so we and our neighbours will need to close our workshops for two weeks for this to happen. The closure will begin on Monday the 14th of July and we will re-open on Monday the 28th of July.
WSP School Holiday Programme
The school holidays are fast approaching, and we’re putting on some fun workshops for the kids again. We received such great feedback about these workshops last year, and it was awesome to have so many kids in the studio exploring clay. Check out the programme on our website and spread the word to your friends!
Raku Firing
Saturday 5th July, 10am – 2pm, 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.
Find more info and sign-up here.
Fresh Baked – WSP Annual Members’ Exhibition
We’re excited to start putting together another glorious annual exhibition of your creations, and we can now confirm the entry and prize categories – take a look and get some inspiration – and get making!
Enter online or pick up an entry form in studio.
Save the Date - Mighty Waikato Pottery Throwdown
With more clout than Clay Gulgong and more prestige than Portage, the most hotly contested pottery event of the year is just around the corner! It’s the WSP’s own Mighty Waikato Pottery Throwdown. This year’s event will take place on Saturday the 23rd of August, and will be as fun, frivolous, and FREE, as always. More info to come soon!
Did you leave a bucket of Barium Carbonate in the studio?
A week or so ago, a large bucket labelled Barium Carbonate was left in the kitchen – is it yours? Please get in touch with Libby if it is. Thanks.
Studio Schedule
Here’s how things are looking for the coming week, but as always, check the online calendar before you come in 😊
Friday 13th June
9.30am –4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 14th June
CLOSED for Hawi Winter workshop
Sunday 15th June
10am – 1pm, Wheel Throwing Class
Monday 16th June
9.30am – 12.30pm, Wheel Throwing Class
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Hand Building Class
Tuesday 17th June
9.30am – 12.30pm, Wheel Throwing Class
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Patsy! xx
Wednesday 18th June
9.30am – 12.30pm, Play with Clay - thanks Yasmin, Kristen and Mark! xx
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
4pm – 5.30pm, Kids’ Play with Clay
6pm – 9pm, Wheel Throwing Class
Thursday 19th June
9.30am – 12.30pm, Sculpture Skills Class
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm, Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 20thth June
CLOSED for Matariki Public Holiday
Saturday 21st June
10am – 1pm, Play with Clay – thanks Teresa and Tim! xx
1pm – 4pm, Members’ Open Studio – TBC, dependent on volunteers
Sunday 22nd June
CLOSE for Matariki weekend
