Kia ora e te whānau
All our classes have wrapped up for this term, and our school holiday workshops are in full swing. The exhibition also came down last week - huge thanks to Yasmin Davis, Ed McAvoy and Josephine who de-mounted and transported the works back to WSP 🙌
We missed getting a newsletter out last week - sorry folks! But we have a bumper issue this week. Get into all the news below...
Half-yearly memberships
Our 6-month membership term is renewing next week on the 1st of October. If you've been waiting for this moment to make the most of your money, your time is here!
By becoming a member you not only support WSP to keep the doors open, you get all these benefits as well:
Access to the dedicated Members’ Open Studio Sessions. Typically there are an additional 5-7 Open Studio sessions per week
Discounted Play with Clay sessions
Further discounts for Open Studio and PWC sessions when purchasing a Concession Card
Utilising our firing service for pieces made outside of classes and Play with Clay
The ability to hire the kilns to fire your own full loads
Discounted class and workshop enrolments
Entry into the Annual WSP Exhibition at Arts Post
Membership events such as the Mighty Waikato Pottery Throw Down
You can find out more and sign-up for membership here.
Special Phoenix wood firing
Clare Wimmer is leading a special wood firing in October with a reduced number of places. This is to give those with bigger pieces a chance to get them fired in the WSP Phoenix. There are 8 spaces in total, and there are just 2 places left!
Clare is an experienced wood-firer and it's awesome that she is creating this opportunity for our membership and friends to take part.
Check out the key dates for the firing below and find more info / enrol online.
Saturday 4 October: Prep day: organize wood, prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 11 October: packing kiln
Sunday 12 October: firing kiln
Saturday 18 October unloading kiln
Fiona Tunnicliffe workshop
What an excellent workshop Fiona runs! Those who were fortunate enough to snaffle a place had an absolute blast and learnt some very useful and unique techniques. We highly recommend doing one of Fiona's workshop if you have the chance - we can't stop raving. And if you missed out this time, never fear - there's another scheduled for next April. Watch this space.
Farmer Jones Organics People's Choice award
And the winner is Christo Rautenbach for The Forest King!
Christo also picked up one of the three Bot Pots Merit awards.
Congratulations Christo! $150 will be coming your way.
Term 4 classes
Our last term of classes for 2025 are starting the week of the 6th October and they are selling out fast! We still have some places in these three classes though, get in quick to secure a spot.
Intermediate Wheel Throwing
Mondays, 9.30am – 12.30pm, for 8-weeks, starting 6th October
More info here
Beginner Wheel Throwing
Tuesdays, 9.30am – 12.30pm, for 8-weeks, starting 7th October
More info here
Introduction to Pottery
Fridays, 6pm – 9pm, for 4-weeks, starting 10th October
More info here
Christmas firing deadlines
Sorry to mention the "C" word 😉but we wanted to give you a heads up about our firing deadlines leading up to the Christmas break. We will take private kiln bookings up until the 30th of November, and piece-by-piece items for bisque and glaze up until the 15th of December.
As always, we're happy to take piece-by-piece items after the 15th December as well, we just can't guarantee we can get them through the kilns before we close on the 19th December.
Studio Schedule
And finally, here's how the studio schedule is looking next week. Remember to check the online calendar before you come in though, just in case anything changes.
Friday 26th September
9.30am - 4pm: Members' Open Studio
Saturday 27th September
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay – thanks Caitlin & Tim! Xx
1pm - 4pm: Members' Open Studio - thanks Kelly! xx
Sunday 28th September
10am – 1pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Monday 29th September
9.30am –4pm: Members' Open Studio
Tuesday 30th September
9.30am – 4pm: CLOSED for School Holiday Workshop
6pm – 9pm: Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Margaret! xx
Wednesday 1st October
9.30am – 12.30pm: Play with Clay - thanks Yasmin and Kristen! xx
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Thursday 2nd October
9.30am – 4pm: CLOSED for School Holiday Workshops
Friday 3rd October
9.30am – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Saturday 4th October
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay – thanks Tim! xx
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio – thanks Wilhelmiina! xx
All day - Phoenix firing prep day
Sunday 5th October
CLOSED
