Top L-R: Ruth, MLW, Unmarked.
Middle L-R: Unknown ,OS, Unmarked.
Bottom L-R: Cath Knapton, Unknown, Unmarked.
Kia ora koutou
Get comfy folks, it's another bumper issue and we've got pit firing, raku, exhibition entries, Term 3 classes and September's Phoenix Wood Firing all on the go here, at the best pottery studio in the world!
A couple of important closures to note for your diary:
Friday, 10 July, for the Matariki public holiday
Tuesday 14 July for School Holiday workshops
Thursday 16 July, for School Holiday workshops
Just a heads up - while the School Holiday workshops are on, we won't be able to take any pick ups or drop offs, or let you pop into the studio or glaze room until after 3.30pm, sorry. It's all about keeping our tamariki safe and meeting our child safety obligations, so we appreciate your understanding! To save yourself a wasted trip, it's always worth checking the online studio calendar before you head in.
Massive thanks go to this week's PWC and Members' Open Studio volunteers: Caitlin Fowler, Kelly Lowen, Margaret Raine, Yasmin Davis, Kristen Almond and Claire Brazell - your generosity keeps this place ticking over, and we love you deeply xx.
Read on for the rest of the news!
Matariki Pit Firing - this Saturday!
Our Matariki Pit Firing and shin-dig is happening this Saturday, 11 July! If you'd still like to get involved and haven't registered yet, please sign-up soon as you can.
A few reminders on what to bring along on the day:
Your bisqued pots!!
Remember tomorrow (Friday 10th) is a public holiday and the studio will be closed, so if you still need to pick your bisqued pots up you can do that today, or on Saturday morning before you head out.Any combustibles or tinfoil you'd like to wrap your pots in
A chair
Kai: your own meat/items for the BBQ, and a side for the table
And BYO drinks
We'll be opening up the pit on Sunday 12 July at 2pm - come along if you can make it! Otherwise, we'll dig all the pots out and bring them back to WSP for you to collect.
Raku Firing - only one place left!
Just a friendly reminder that our next Raku firing is coming up on Saturday 25 July - and there's only one place left! If you've got bisqued pots ready and want to give raku a go, get in touch quickly to grab that last spot before it's gone.
Term 3 Classes
Here's where our Term 3 classes are at...
Monday Morning Wheel Throwing
Starts Monday 20 July | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks.
Build confidence on the wheel while learning and refining core throwing skills.
Find more info and enrol here.
Monday Night Handbuilding
Starts Monday 20 July | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks.
Explore handbuilding techniques including pinch, coil and slab construction.
Find more info and enrol here.
Tuesday Morning Wheel Throwing
Starts Tuesday 21 July | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks.
A relaxed and supportive wheel-throwing class for beginners and developing potters.
Find more info and enrol here.
Wednesday Evening Wheel Throwing — SOLD OUT
Starts Wednesday 22 July | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks.
This one's now full, but you can add your name to the waitlist in case a spot opens up.
Thursday Morning Sculpture Skills — Only Two Places Left!
Starts Thursday 23 July | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks.
Explore sculptural forms while developing hand building and clay modelling techniques.
Find more info and enrol here.
Thursday Evening Half & Half — SOLD OUT
Starts Thursday 30 July | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks.
This one's now full, but you can add your name to the waitlist in case a spot opens up.
Friday Introduction to Pottery
Starts Friday 24 July | 6pm–9pm | 4 weeks.
A fantastic beginner-friendly introduction to handbuilding, wheel throwing, glazing, and firing.
Find more info and enrol here.
Sunday Wheel Throwing Taster
Starts Sunday 26 July | 10am–1pm | 4 weeks.
Perfect for complete beginners wanting to give wheel throwing a go before committing to a longer course.
Find more info and enrol here.
WSP Annual Exhibition - entries are open!
Just a reminder that entries for Shared Earth, our 2026 Annual Members' Exhibition, are open now - so get those clay fingers moving! Key dates to pop in your diary:
Entries open: 1 July (already underway!)
Entries close: 14 August, 11.59pm
Physical works delivered to WSP: 24–28 August
Opening Preview Evening and Awards Ceremony: 4 September, 5.30pm
Exhibition open: 5–26 September
Collection of unsold works: 28 September – 2 October
September Phoenix Wood Firing
This welcoming, hands-on firing is open to both beginners and experienced makers who'd like to be part of the process. From loading the kiln to taking part in the firing and unpacking, you'll get a great introduction to how it all works, as well as some truly beautiful pots.
Wood firing is a shared experience, and there's always something to learn along the way - whether it's your first time or you're returning for more. Come along and join Victoria Kerry, who'll be your fabulous fire master for this event.
The firing and prep dates are:
Saturday 12 September: Prep day - organise wood, prep shelves and kiln
Saturday 19 September: Loading kiln
Sunday 20 September: Firing kiln
Sunday 26 September: Scraping shelves and unloading kiln
Find more info and sign-up here.
New to wood firing, or keen to upskill and improve your results? We've also got two companion workshops with Suzy Dunser to help you along, and priced to keep them accessible and help grow our wood firing community:
Making for Wood Firing with Suzy Dunser
Saturday 8 August, 10am - 4pm
Learn how to design and make forms that thrive in wood and soda firings.
Find more info and enrol here.
Glazing for Wood Firing with Suzy Dunser
Saturday 22 August, 10am - 4pm
Discover slips, glazes and surface treatments specifically suited to wood-fired work.
Find more info and enrol here.
