Kia ora e te whaanau
While we're all counting down the days to the holidays and that day that shan't be named (tralalalalaaaa!), Margaret and Libby are bending over not backwards but forwards to get all your wonderful pieces through the kilns before we close up for the year. THANK YOU. Not to mention Larissa who's been firing the gas kiln for y'all as well. BLESS.
Coming up we've got an important thing (Special General Meeting), a helpful thing (Working Bee) and a super fun thing (Xmas Party) to do this month. More information below and we hope to see you there.
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 here.
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.
Special General Meeting
Tuesday 16 December 5.30pm (just before the Xmas Party at 5.45pm)
AGENDA:
Formally agree to reregister under the 2022 Act
Accept the Draft Constitution as the new Constitution.
To remain an incorporated Society Waikato Society of Potters Inc needs to re-register under the Incorporated Societies Act 2022. The 2022 Act modernizes the laws and the way societies need to operate. Changes have to be made to the WSP constitution in order to comply with the Act. A draft of the new constitution has been prepared and you can read it here
A general meeting must be held for members to formally agree to reregister under the 2022 Act and approve the new constitution. A Special General Meeting will be held for that purpose at WSP on Tuesday 16 December at 5.30pm. It is imperative that this meeting is well attended.
Could you please provide your feedback to waikatopotters.committee@gmail.com by Friday 12 December so that it can be collated ahead of the meeting.
The committee looks forward to your feedback and attedance.
WSP Christmas Party
Tuesday 16 December 5.45pm (just after the Special General Meeting at 5.30pm)
We're getting together for our annual Christmas Party, all welcome, feel free to bring the family!
Our traditional Stealy-Secret-Santa game will take place again – for those who want to join in, please bring a small, wrapped gift. Handmade is nice, a piece of pottery is great, but any little treat is fab!
And we'll share a kai, so if you can, please bring some food to share. Juice and soft drinks provided. BYO alcohol welcome, but please drink responsibly and make sure you can get home safely.
Of course, this means there’s no Play with Clay on the 16th, so come celebrate the fantastic year that we’ve had at WSP instead!
Raku firing: Friday 5 December 6 - 9pm
There's still a chance to enrol on the last raku firing of the year. But you'll have to be quick as enrolments close on Friday at 2pm.
2026 Term 1 classes
Our 2026 first term classes are open for enrolment for members from 5pm Thursday 4th December. Non-members can enrol from 11th December.
Monday morning Intermediate Wheel Throwing: enrol here
Monday evening Hand Building: enrol here
Tuesday morning Beginners Wheel Throwing: enrol here
Wednesday evening Wheel Throwing: enrol here
Thursday morning Sculpture Skills: enrol here
Thursday evening Wheel Throwing for All: enrol here
Friday Introduction to Pottery: enrol here
Sunday Wheel Throwing Taster class: enrol here
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
The Sculpture Park at Waitakaruru Arboretum
Once a derelict greywacke quarry choked with gorse and blackberry, the site of the Waitakaruru Arboretum and Sculpture Park is now a vibrant landscape of trees, art, and imagination. Over more than 30 years, this former industrial scar has been transformed into one of New Zealand’s largest outdoor galleries — a unique fusion of nature and creativity.
The park is now celebrated across New Zealand as a place where art and nature intertwine, offering visitors a peaceful, inspiring walk through a dynamic woodland gallery. It continues to grow as a platform for creativity, reflection, and connection.
It's a family friendly great day out. Find out more here
The summer exhibition Translation features several ceramic artworks.
Rahu Road Pottery & Gallery
2026 Classes with Duncan Shearer
Duncan is keen to share his knowledge about clay – how to turn your ideas into reality and to explore this amazing material. The Rahu Rd studio is well equipped with Leach-style treadle wheels, lots of workspace and storage, fully stocked with glaze materials and a selection of molds and other equipment for hand building.
Topics include engobes & slips, throwing & altering, glaze technology (beginner, intermediate and advanced), and found clay processing and clay modifications.
You can find out about these and more here.
End of year dates
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 - Special General Meeting (see above)
Tuesday 16th December, 5.45pm - 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 5 December
9.30am – 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Intro to Pottery Class and Raku Firing
Saturday 6 December
10am – 1pm: Play With Clay - thanks Tim and Amy!
1 - 4pm: Members' Open Studio - thanks Kelly!
Sunday 7 December
10am – 1pm: Wheel Throwing Class
1.30 - 4.30pm: CLOSED for Private Booking
Monday 8 December
9.30am –4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Tuesday 9 December
9.30am – 4pm: Members' Open Studio
6pm – 9pm: Play with Clay – thanks Margaret and Patsy!
Wednesday 10 December
9.30am – 12.30pm: Play with Clay - thanks Yasmin and Kristen!
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Thursday 11 December
9.30am – 4pm: Members' Open Studio
Friday 12 December
9.30am – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Saturday 13 December
10am – 1pm: Play with Clay
1pm – 4pm: Members’ Open Studio
Sunday 14 December
CLOSED
That's it for this week folks. Have a great week and we'll see you in the studio soon.
