Busy busy elves
Incredibly it's all nearly done! The sun gods smiled this week and the roof replacement is complete, at least over WSP section of the building. The guttering is going on today or tomorrow (Thursday/Friday).
Initially the kiln room ceiling was scheduled to be painted after we reopen, but we explained that we need unimpeded access to the kilns ahead of the exhibition and the builders have worked really hard to get it all done ahead of schedule. A huge shout out to Harry van den Berg and the team at Mitchell Construction Ltd. You guys rock!
Mark Tamura has assembled the new studio tubs and is working with the plumber to get them installed and connected to taps and drains. Thanks for your mahi Mark!
53rd annual exhibition
This is a great opportunity to showcase how diverse and creative our membership is and the only pre-requisite to enter is that you are a WSP member.
We've got some great prizes on offer this year thanks to the generous support of our wonderful sponsors.
Open Awards open to all
WSP Premier Award $1000
Bot Pots Merit Awards (x 3) $500 vouchers
Kiwi Underglaze Surface Decoration Award $250 voucher
Tile Challenge: $150 sponsored by Yasmin and Mark Davis
NB: ‘Tile’ means it must be able to hung on the wall, and be no more than 25 x 25 centimetres.Tiles don’t have to be flat – 3D is encouraged.Best Mug Award: $100 sponsored by Jenni Taris.
NB mugs must be functional and with a handle; top 6 guaranteed to be exhibitedPeople's Choice Award: $150 sponsored by Farmer Jones Organics, announced at the close of the exhibition
Special Category Awards
CCG Emerging Artist Award $250 voucher, open to those with less than 3 years pottery experience
Kiwi Underglaze Young Artist Award: $250 voucher, open to those under 16 years of age on 15 August 2025
President’s Award: A term’s class at WSP, open to those whose main making space is Open Studio or Play with Clay.
Key dates
Entries close Sunday 3rd August 11.59pm
Receiving days: Please delivery your work to the WSP studio between Monday the 4th of August and Saturday the 9th of August during the following hours: Monday to Thursday 9am to 5.30pm, Friday 9am to 4.30pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm
Exhibition preview and opening event: Thursday 14th August 5.30pm
You can enter in one of four ways:
Enter online here
Pick up a hard copy entry form from the studio after we reopen on Monday 28 July
Download an entry form as a pdf here
Or if those are too hard email the manager and we'll send you out a pdf.
We’d love it if you could come along to the opening preview soirée, on Thursday the 14th of August at 5.30pm. There’ll be drinks, a prize-giving, lots of gorgeous ceramics to ogle and many fabulous pottery people to chat to. WSP is putting on the drinks, but if you have the capacity to bring a plate of finger-food to share, we’d be ever so grateful.
Phoenix firing
A limited number of spaces are available to share the use of the kiln on this upcoming wood firing. Experience the magic of heat and flame of a wood and soda firing with WSP legend Janet Smith as Firemaster.
Very much a team effort, it's an ancient technique connecting contemporary potters to a long history of art. To find out more click here
The Mighty Waikato Pottery Throwdown
Saturday 23 August 10am to 2pm
The funniest muddiest day of the year for members of all ages and abilities.
With solo, duo, and team challenges lined up it's pottery on sugar to the max.
It's a free event for members but please sign up here and let us know what challenges you're most interested in too. And if you're bursting with the best challenge idea ever flick us an email
Workshop: Teapots with Suzy Dunser
There are two places left on this two afternoon workshop
Sat 30th and Sunday 31st August. 1.30 to 5.30pm
In this workshop you will learn how the components of a teapot affect its aesthetics and function, and practice your skills making and assembling a wheel-thrown teapot of your own design.
Skills covered will include throwing a cylinder, bellying, forming a shoulder and gallery or rim, throwing a variety of lid forms, throwing a spout, pulling a handle, and assembling the teapot.
Check it out here
Studio schedule
Here's how it looks for the next week, but as always, check the online calendar before you head this way.
Friday 25 July to Sunday 27 July: Studio closed for building maintenance.
Monday 28 July
9.30am to 12.30pm: Intermediate Wheel throwing class
1 to 3.30pm: closed for Home School class
6 to 9pm: Hand building class
Tuesday 29 July
9.30am to 12.30pm: Beginner Wheel Throwing class
1 to 4pm: Members' Open Studio.
1 to 4pm: Fibre broadband is scheduled to be installed
6 to 9pm: Play With Clay
Wednesday 30 July
9.30am to 12.30pm: Play With Clay
1 to 4pm: Members' Open Studio
4 to 5.30pm: Kids' Play With Clay
6 to 9pm: Wheel Throwing class
Thursday 31 July
9.30am to 12.30pm: Sculpture Skills class
1 to 4pm: Members' Open Studio
4 to 5.30pm: Studio closed
6 to 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 1 August
9.30am to 4pm: Closed for Diploma
6 to 9pm: Introduction to Pottery Class
Saturday 2 August
10am to 1pm: Play With Clay
1 to 4pm: Members' Open Studio
Sunday 3 August
10am to 1pm: Wheel Throwing Taster class
That's it for this week folks.
We hope to see you in the studio soon.
