Top L-R: Kat W, Belle, Nina & Evita Di Maio.
Bottom L-R: Joanne Van Vliet, Shelley Martin, Belle.
Hello lovelies xxx
It's been a full-on week here — we're working our way through a mountain of glazing and firing from the school holiday workshops, all while welcoming new and returning faces back into the studio as regular classes started up again this week! But we wouldn't have it any other way — the storm of creativity is just fantastic 🤗
A big thank you also to our wonderful volunteers who will be running your Play with Clay and Members' Open Studio sessions this week: Caitlin Fowler, Wilhelmiina Drummond, Margaret Raine, Trudie & John MacIntosh, Yasmin Davis and Kristen Almond. Absolute rockstars!!!
As always, check the online studio calendar before you head in, just in case there's a class or workshop taking place.
Read on for all the latest news...
Shared Earth — Get Your Entries In!
Beautiful potters, entries for Shared Earth, our Annual Members' Exhibition, are OPEN — and we want to see as many of you in this show as possible!
This is one of the true highlights of the WSP calendar, and honestly, it doesn't matter whether you've been throwing for twenty years or you finished your very first piece last month — there is no "right" stage to enter. Made something you're proud of? A long-loved piece, a wild experiment, or your first ever finished work? It belongs in Shared Earth. We genuinely welcome all styles and skill levels, so please don't talk yourself out of it!
The details:
Entries close 14 August 2026
Physical works delivered to WSP studios 24–28 August
Opening Preview Evening & Awards Ceremony: Friday 4 September, 5.30pm at ArtsPost Gallery
You can enter up to four works: two open-category pieces (one can be a set of up to six), one mug, and one wall-hanging ("On the Hook") piece
We're thrilled to have Aaron Scythe judging this year — an internationally respected ceramic artist with 16 years' experience working in Japan and more than 60 solo exhibitions under his belt. It's a real privilege to have his eye on our work.
And there's plenty to compete for — with categories including the WSP Premier Award ($1,000 cash), Merit Awards, Functional and Non-Functional Awards, Best Use of Underglaze, On the Hook, Mug Award, People's Choice, the Ngā Ringa Uku Māori Clay Practitioner Award, Emerging Artist Award, President's Award, and Young Artist Award — there's a place for everyone's work to shine, whatever you make.
How to enter: Simply send your completed entry form (email or in person) to Libby at manager@waikatopotters.co.nz by 11.59pm on 14 August. You can download the entry form here or pick up a paper copy in the studio.
So dust off that piece you've been sitting on, or get inspired to make something new — we can't wait to see what our amazing clay community brings to Shared Earth this year!
Fancy Trying Your Hand at Wood Firing?
Calling all curious clay lovers — we're on a mission to grow our wood firing whānau, and we've got two brilliant workshops with Suzy Dunser to help you dive in!
First up, Making for Wood Firing, where you'll explore clay, form and surface with wood and soda firing in mind — perfect whether you're a hand-builder or a wheel-thrower. Then it's Glazing for Wood Firing, where you'll learn how slips and glazes (and sometimes bare clay!) come alive in flame and ash.
Suzy's a total legend in this space — a Paeroa-based ceramic artist, former President of Auckland Studio Potters, and our very own WSP committee Secretary, with a real passion for wood and salt/soda firing. You're in excellent hands.
Come along to one or both — they pair beautifully together! Bring a shared kai for lunch and a keen mind, and get ready to see your work in a whole new (flame-kissed) light. Newbies especially welcome — this is exactly the kind of thing these workshops are here for!
Making for Wood Firing
Saturday 8 August, 10am–4pm
$75 members / $100 non-members
Book here
Glazing for Wood Firing
Saturday 22 August, 10am–4pm
$75 members / $100 non-members
Book here
And once you've made and glazed your pieces, why not put it all into practice? Our next Phoenix Wood Firing with fire master Victoria Kerry runs across four days in September — a warm, welcoming, hands-on experience where you'll get stuck into loading, firing and unpacking the kiln alongside old hands and first-timers alike. It's the perfect next step to see your wood-fired creations through to the finish!
Phoenix Wood Firing
Sat 19 – Sun 20 September (loading & firing),
plus prep day Sat 12 Sept and unloading Sat 26 Sept
Book here
Stitched with Love — Crochet Community
We know we've got some stitchy members in our midst, and this one's for you... it's a lovely little community initiative that Riann Ahmadi, one of our Diploma students, is involved in and that you could be too:
Stitched with Love — Crochet Community
If you're after another cozy and meaningful activity this winter, come on down to NGĀ ART for Stitched with Love. We're a crochet community that comes together over nibbles and tea to share stories and crochet beautiful blankets that are given to those who need them most in our community.
We've only just started this year but so far we've given 13 blankets to unhoused people and children in care from around the Waikato Region.
Come join us, and help us in spreading warmth and aroha ♥️
All are welcome, and all tools and nibbles are completely free.
Weekly Sessions:
Thursdays 10am – 12pm
Fortnightly Sessions:
Wednesday 6pm – 8:30pm
NGĀ ART - Te Whare Toi o Ngaaruawaahia, 3/5 Galileo Street, Ngāruawāhia
