Top L-R: Unmarked, Sharonn Pirie, Anna Doer.
Middle L-R: Unmarked, Unmarked, Unmarked.
Bottom L-R: SL(?), Richard, A
Hello lovelies!
What beautiful, crisp weather we're having! I hope you've all managed to get outside a bit and feel the sunshine on your skin đ
This week we've got soooo many opportunities to get your hands in clay and even several for you to get smoke in your hair! Check out all the offerings below, plus some exciting news about a new cubby-storage system we're going to be trialing. And don't forget the Rotoorangi Pottery Extravaganza is on this Saturday and Sunday - eeeeeeeeee đŹđŹđŹ
As always, remember to check the online calendar before you head into the studio, to make sure it's available for you. And please join us in thanking these beautiful volunteers who are making sure you have access to the Play with Clay and Members' Open Studio session over the next week: Tim Edwards, Lydia Farrell, Margaret Raine, Shadae Owen, Yasmin Davis, Kristen Almond, Wilhelmiina Drummond and Teresa Gibbison â¤ď¸
Rotoorangi Pottery Extravaganza - it's on!
Friends, this event is happening this weekend - can't wait! So many of the potters at the Extravaganza are members and friends of WSP and this is such a good opportunity to see them and their work all together. Head along and support them in showcasing their skills and passion. Hope to see you there!
Pottery lovers, Stop 10 on the WaipÄ Creative Trail is a must-visit!
Hosted by Janet Smith, the Rotoorangi Pottery Extravaganza brings together 20 potters for a weekend-long celebration of ceramics, creativity, and community.Featured potters include Ginny Lane and Richard Jackson, Duncan Shearer, Suzy Dunser, Janet Smith, Alex Wilkinson, Fiona Tunicliffe, Elena Renker, Sarah Ziessan, Kimba Allison, Riccardo Scott, Driving Creek Pottery, Victoria Kerry, Yasmin Davis, Suzanne Sturrock, Trish Seddon, Therese May, Stephen Williams, and Julie Burwell.
With a passion for wood firing, Janet built a rare four-metre anagama kiln on her property, which you'll be able to peek inside during the Trail weekend.
There will also be pottery demonstrations every hour, on the hour â a fantastic opportunity to see different techniques, processes, and approaches in action.
Talk with the potters, see works in progress, explore finished pieces, and purchase ceramic works directly from the makers.
More than an exhibition, this is a rare opportunity to experience a working creative environment where making, firing, learning, and community all come together.
Stop 10 is at Janetâs Woolshed Studio, 37 Kairangi Road, Rotoorangi
For more information about the Extravaganza and the other Trail stops, download the guide here.
Cubby Storage Available Soon
In the near future, we'll be trialing a simple cubby storage system in the studio to help studio users keep their tools and clay on site.
There will be 28 cubbies available, offered on a first-in, first-served basis, and allocated based on availability rather than specific location.
Cubbies will be $20 per 3-month term, with the next term starting on 1st July.
If all cubbies are taken, youâre welcome to join a waitlist, and weâll be in touch as spaces become available.
A couple of key things to note:
Items are stored at your own risk
Cubbies canât be locked or modified, but you can use a small lockable container inside
At the end of each term, cubbies must be renewed or cleared
More info will be available in the T&Cs document to be made available when you apply for a cubby.
To secure a cubby or join the waitlist, please email Libby at manager@waikatopotters.co.nz
** Before we make them available, we will be painting the cubby unit, and we are on the hunt for some concrete blocks to lift it off the floor and make the lower cubbies more accessible - does anyone have any concrete blocks kicking around that they want to get rid of? We're looking for 12 in total. Let Libby know, please and thank you!
Term 2B Classes
Intro to Pottery
Fridays, 6.00â9.00pm, 4 weeks, starting 5 June
Ready to get your hands dirty? Our Friday afternoon introductory class is perfect for beginners wanting to explore hand-building and the basics of working with clay. Learn essential techniques in a relaxed, supportive environment and start your clay journey with confidence.
Find more info and enrol here.
Wheel Throwing Taster
Sundays, 10am-1pm, 4 weeks, starting 14 June
Take a spin on the wheel this term! Our Sunday wheel class is ideal for those keen to develop (or refine) their throwing skills. With guided tuition and plenty of practice time, youâll build confidence and create functional forms to be proud of.
Find more info and enrol here.
Wood Firing Info Session
Are you curious about wood firing, or thinking about getting involved in our next firing? Weâre hosting a relaxed and informative session to introduce members to the process and hopefully welcome a few more hands into our wood firing community.
Join us on Saturday 6 June, 1.00â3.00pm for a rundown of whatâs involvedâfrom the kinds of work that suit wood firing, to preparation, glazing approaches, and what to expect from the firing itself. Whether youâre completely new or already have some experience, this is a great chance to ask questions and get a clearer picture of how it all comes together.
Wood firing is a uniquely collaborative process, and weâre keen to grow our group of participants. Come along, meet others who are interested, and find out how you can be part of future firings.
Free to attend â but please register here so we know who is coming.
And... keep an eye out for two upcoming hands-on workshops on making and glazing for wood firing - more details will come once we have our cats herded :)
Our Next Phoenix Wood Firing
Keen to give wood firing a go? This welcoming, hands-on firing is open to both beginners and experienced makers whoâd like to be part of the process. From loading the kiln to taking part in the firing and unpacking, youâll get a great introduction to how it all works as well as getting some truly beautiful pots.
Wood firing is a shared experience, and thereâs always something to learn along the wayâwhether itâs your first time or youâre returning for more. Come along and join the ever-fabulous Janet Smith who will be the fire master for this event.
Get involved, and see what makes this process so special.
The firing and prep dates are:
Saturday 13th June: Prep day, organise wood, prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 20th June: Loading kiln
Sunday 21st June: Firing kiln
Sunday 28th June: Scraping shelves and unloading kiln
Making and firing for Raku with Dave Austin
Wednesdays, 6pm - 9pm, 4 weeks, starting 24th June
Experience the excitement of raku firing! This fast-paced, hands-on workshop introduces the dramatic and unpredictable nature of raku, with striking results and instant gratification. A must-try for adventurous makers.
Find more info and enrol here.
Surface Decoration with Yasmin Davis
Thursdays, 6pm - 9pm, 4 weeks, starting 25 June
Bring your pottery to life with surface design. This workshop explores a range of decorative techniques to add depth, texture, and personality to your work. Perfect for anyone wanting to expand their creative toolbox.
Find more info and enrol here.
Whenua and Harakeke â Earth and Flax
A Matariki event with Dave Austin and Sema Morris
A two day workshop taking place on:
Saturday 27th June, 10am - 4pm
AND
Saturday 18th July 2026, 10am - 4pm
This workshop explores the creative relationship between clay and flax, combining the earthy strength of ceramics with the organic texture and movement of woven natural fibres. Students will experiment with sculptural and functional forms that blend traditional and contemporary practices, creating tactile works that celebrate material contrast, storytelling, and connection to the natural world. Specifically, how we can join flax to the clay work.
This workshop is planned so you can take part in the Matariki Pit Firing event on Saturday the 11th of July, if you want to use this method. Normal electric firing is still available if you prefer.
Note: While every effort is made to accommodate your vision, this class is a taster into working with Harakeke (flax), exploring simple weaving, joins, rope, etc. You should not expect to learn complex patterns as the art of weaving takes a long time to master.
Day 1:
10am to 12am: Discussion about how to proceed with your vision
12am to 1pm: Shared kai (bring a plate to share if you have the capacity)
1pm to 4pm: Making our pots.
Day 2:
10am to 4pm: Weaving and joining flax creations to the clay work
Bring a kai to share again :)
MÄnawatia a Matariki
Join us for one of the highlights of the WSP calendar as we gather to celebrate Matariki.
Matariki is a time to come together over kai, to remember our ancestors, and look forward to the future as a whanau and a community. Our relaxed, social event reflects this spiritâbringing members and friends together to connect, share food, and experience the magic of firing work in the open air.
As the firing unfolds, weâll fire up the BBQâso bring something to share and settle in for an afternoon of good food, connection, and creativity.
Whether youâre taking part in the firing or simply coming along to enjoy the atmosphere, itâs a beautiful way to mark the MÄori New Year. Expect a welcoming vibe, a bit of smoke and fire, and a real sense of communityâeverything that makes this such a special annual event.
WSP is covering the cost of the magic dust, and weâve been hoarding wood off-cuts and sawdust all year to fuel the fireâso this event is completely free to attend and take part in. Weâd love you to register so we have an indication of how many people will be coming.
See you real soon!
And don't forget to check the online studio calendar before you come in. xx
