Waiclay National Ceramic Awards
Waiclay celebrates Aotearoa’s finest ceramic art, highlighting innovation, craftsmanship, and the dynamic expression of New Zealand clay artists.
Guest judge Andile Dyalvane (pictured above along with some of his work) is one of South Africa’s foremost ceramic artists, hand-coiling monumental forms, predominantly from terracotta. Guided by a deep spiritual connection to his Xhosa ancestors, Dylvane's complex large scale artworks are a metaphorical vessel through which he seeks to honour his cultural traditions and share his journey of healing. His work is widely exhibited in museums across the world, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, Vitra Design Museum, Iziko South African National Gallery, Pérez Museum in Miami, Denver Art Museum and the Design Museum in Gent to list a few.
You are warmly invited to attend the Waiclay exhibition opening at Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato on Friday 12 December 5.30 pm. Guest selector Andile Dyalvane will present the awards along with the several sponsors. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
On Saturday night (13 December) there is a dinner with Andile and his wife Alexis doing a performance. Tickets are $40 and places are limited. Click here to register.
And on Sunday night (14 December) there's a hangi for the evening meal available at a cost of $30. Again numbers are limited so click here if you wish to take part. This would be your chance to meet Andile, Alexis, and Nathi (Andile's videographer).
Waiclay exhibition will run until March so please go along and view this year's amazing pieces.
The Salon
The Salon – A Celebration of Clay and Creativity.
The Salon showcases a vibrant selection of ceramic works that didn’t make the main Waiclay 2025 exhibition, but still shine with talent and individuality. Opening 10am, Saturday 13 December at David Lloyd Gallery, Hamilton, this fun pop-up exhibition celebrates the passion and creativity of Aotearoa’s clay community. Make a weekend of it - catch both Waiclay and The Salon in Hamilton, 13 - 14 December
Pit firing
Saturday 29th November, 10am - loading and firing the pit
Sunday 30th November, 2pm - unloading the pit
Are you keen to try out pit firing? We're running another WSP pit firing at Caroline Hamilton's, so here's your chance!
All you need is some bisque fired pots to bring along and pop into the pit. If you're keen to get involved in the firing too, there's plenty of chance for that. And of course we'll share a kai on firing day, so please bring a plate to share.
Find all the info you need and sign up online. If you have any questions, have a chat to Libby in the studio.
NZ Diploma in Art & Design - Ceramics
Take your ceramics to the next level through exploration and experimentation.
NZDAD is delivered by WSP alongside Otago Polytechnic. The program is 2 years full-time study or 4 years part-time study. The theory courses, including glaze technology and art history, are delivered online and the practical part of the course is delivered through the studio at WSP. From 2026 the practical tutorials will be held in-studio every Friday morning during term time with students encouraged to stay on for the afternoon Open Studio session..
Find out more here.
Applications and enrolments are now open here.
Working Bee - Monday 15 December
It's the time of year again when we have our big clean-up and get a bit of maintenance done around the studio, so we're all set for a fresh new year. This year, we'll be concentrating on a deep clean of the studio and kiln room.
We'd be ever so grateful if you could spare some time to help us remove all that old clay and dust from nooks ands crannies. Whether you can come for the day, or just an hour or two, we'd be thrilled to receive your help. If you can lend a hand, please sign-up on the sheet in the foyer, or online.
If you can't come on the 15th but can spare some time another day that would be great too. Please let us know when suits.
Thank you.
End of year dates
Sunday 30th November - Last date for private kiln bookings
Book in early to make sure you can hire a kiln before this cut-off date.
Monday 8th December - Bisque firing deadline
We recommend dropping off your pieces for bisque firing by this date, to make sure you get them back in time to glaze them and fire again before we close. You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque or glaze firing after this date, and we will do our best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
Monday 15th December - Glaze firing deadline
We recommend dropping off your pieces for glaze firing by this date, to make sure you get them back before we close. You will still be welcome to leave work for bisque or glaze firing after this date, and we will do our best to process it, but we can’t guarantee that it will make it through before we close for the holidays.
Monday 15th December, 10am - 4pm - Working Bee
Annual working bee - we'll get sign-up sheets sorted for this soon, but please save the date in the mean time.
Tuesday 16th December, 5.30pm - Christmas Party
No Play with Clay, come along to the Xmas party, share a kai and take part in the Secret Santa thievery instead.
Friday 19th December, 4pm - Studio Closes
This is your last chance to get into the studio for 2025, and last day for pick-ups. The studio will close at 4pm, and will reopen again on Monday the 12th of January.
Studio schedule
Here’s how things are looking for the coming week, but as always, check the online calendar before you come in 😊
Friday 21 November
10am – 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 22 November
10am – 1pm: Play With Clay - thanks Caitlin and Tim!
1 - 4pm: Members’ Open Studio - thanks Kelly!
Sunday 23 November
10am – 1pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1.30 - 4.30pm: Lustre & Decal workshop
Monday 24 November
9.30am –4pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Hand Building Class
Tuesday 25 November
9.30am – 12.30pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Play with Clay – thanks Margaret!
Wednesday 26 November
9.30am – 12.30pm: Play with Clay - thanks Yasmin and Kristen!
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
4pm – 5.30pm: Kids’ Play with Clay
6pm – 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Thursday 27 November
9.30am – 12.30pm: Sculpture Class
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Wheel Throwing Class
Friday 28 November
9.30am – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class
Saturday 29 November
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay - thanks Teresa!
1pm – 4pm: CLOSED for private booking.
10am - 4pm: Pit Firing at Caroline Hamilton's
Sunday 30 November
10am – 1pm: Wheel Throwing Class
2 - 4pm: Pit Firing: opening the pit and digging out the pots.
That's it for this week folks. Have a great week and we'll see you at the studio bright and chirpy soon.
