Top L-R: Ishani(?), Kat Jenkins, Unmarked.
Middle L-R: SL(?), LN, Unknown.
Bottom L-R: ALS, Xanthe McHarg, unmarked.
Check the end for more...
Helllooooo lovelies!
There's never a dull moment here at WSP! Following on from the exhibition and Aaron Scythe workshop, we've now got our school holiday workshops coming up, our Term 4 classes have gone live for enrolments, and we have a new staff member to introduce you to — read all about it below.
A big hearty, huggy thank you to this week's and last week's PWC and MOS volunteers: Margaret Raine, Shadae Owen, Yasmin Davis, Tim Edwards, Caitlin Fowler, Teresa Gibbison and Lydia Farrell — you beauties!!
Just a heads up, the Phoenix wood kiln is being loaded this Saturday and fired on Sunday, so expect a bit more action around the kiln shed over the weekend — no closures, just something to be aware of.
Next week, however, we will be closed on Wednesday afternoon for a private booking. As always, check the online studio calendar before you head in.
Read on for all the latest news...
A warm welcome to Kristen
Some exciting news — Kristen Almond has joined the WSP team as our new Administration Assistant! If her name sounds familiar, that's because Kristen's no stranger to the studio: she's been a member for years and, more recently, one of our Artists in Residence.
Kristen brings a great mix of skills to the role, including years of administration experience, and also her clay skills and WSP studio knowledge to the role as well. We're thrilled to have Kristen on the team 🤗
Please say hi and make her feel welcome next time you're in the studio!
A Very Special 80th Birthday — Margaret Raine!
Margaret Raine — our brilliant volunteer kiln loader and Play With Clay facilitator — is turning 80!! To celebrate, we're holding a pot-luck kai at Play With Clay on Tuesday 29 September, 6pm. Come along, bring a plate to share, and help us give Margaret a huge happy birthday!
School Holiday Pottery Workshops
A full day of clay-filled fun for the kids!
From 9am–3pm, tamariki aged 7–14 will get to try a range of techniques — pinch pot creatures, a slab-built vase or pencil cup, a spin on the wheel, and a coiled trinket bowl — guided by four experienced potters, with the emphasis firmly on fun and creativity.
The price covers firing and glazing of one finished piece per activity (4 pieces total), and parents are welcome to stay for the day if they'd like. $85 per child.
We have two dates for these workshops these holidays:
Thursday October 1st
Thursday October 8th
A Weekend of Loose Throwing with Aaron Scythe
Following Aaron Scythe's judging at the opening of Shared Earth, a group of potters spent the weekend in the studio with him, taking part in a workshop on loose throwing.
Throwing out the 'rules' of perfect centring and straight walls, it was a weekend of hilarity and freedom. From throwing and coiling large pots and twisty vases, to constructing flowing bowls that were chopped in half and thrown back together, to making funky mugs with hollow handles and sleigh-like bases, the studio was full to the brim with pots. The workshop fully embraced playfulness and fun, and that joy was visible in the creations. (Thanks to Victoria Kerry for the write-up and pics!)
There's already talk of round two — Aaron's mentioned he'd be keen to come back for another workshop. Nothing's locked in yet, but watch this space.
Term 4 Classes – Now Open
Our Term 4 classes are open for enrolment — whether you're picking up clay for the first time or building on skills you already have, there's something here for you.
Monday Morning Wheel Throwing Class
Starts Monday 12 October | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks
(no class 26 Oct for Labour Day; finishes 7 Dec)
Sarah Steed guides you through the fundamentals of the wheel at your own pace — beginners and returners both very welcome.
Find more info and enrol here.
Monday Evening Hand Building
Starts Monday 12 October | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks
(no class 26 Oct for Labour Day; finishes 7 Dec)
Yasmin Davis leads a range of hand-building techniques in a safe, inclusive environment — great for beginners or anyone developing their skills further.
Find more info and enrol here.
Tuesday Morning Wheel Throwing Class
Starts Tuesday 13 October | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks
A nurturing start to your throwing journey with Sarah Steed — suited to beginners or those building on a taster class.
Find more info and enrol here.
Wednesday Evening Wheel Throwing
Starts Wednesday 14 October | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks
Emily Eales introduces the joy of wheel throwing with warmth and patience — for complete beginners through to those ready to build on a taster session.
Find more info and enrol here.
The Half and Half – Wheel Throwing & Hand Building
Starts Thursday 15 October | 6pm–9pm | 8 weeks
Brogan Houghton covers wheel-throwing basics for the first four weeks, then hand-building techniques (slab, pinch, coil) for the second four — happy for you to stick with just the wheel if you prefer.
Find more info and enrol here.
Thursday Morning Sculpture Skills
Starts Thursday 15 October | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks
Emily Eales guides you through building an animal or portrait sculpture, realistic or stylised — suited to recent beginners and returning students who know the basics of hand building.
Find more info and enrol here.
Friday Introduction to Pottery (Term 4A)
Starts Friday 16 October | 6pm–9pm | 4 weeks
David Kenny's welcoming beginners' course covers both hand-building and wheel-throwing, finishing with an exciting raku firing experience.
Find more info and enrol here.
Sunday Wheel Throwing Taster Class (Term 4A)
Starts Sunday 18 October | 10am–1pm | 4 weeks
(no class 25 Oct for Labour Day; finishes 15 Nov)
Total beginners welcome — Sarah Steed takes you from first touch of the wheel through centring, throwing, trimming and glazing.
Find more info and enrol here.
Phoenix Wood Firing – November
Prep Saturday 14 November
Loading Saturday 21 November
Firing Sunday 22 November
Unloading Saturday 28 November
Ever fancied trying your hand at wood firing? Our Phoenix kiln is calling for its next crew — newcomers and seasoned Phoenix regulars alike are welcome to jump in for the whole four-day journey, from stacking the kiln to tending the fire and finally uncovering your pieces on unloading day. Clare Wimmer is our fire master this time round.
You'll need to be involved across all four days
Pots must be high-firing stoneware (firing range to at least 1280°C) — no re-fires, and cone 10 glazes only
Aim for at least a banana box of work, glazed and ready to load by 21 November
Total cost is $520, split between participants based on kiln space used.
A deposit of $30 (members) or $50 (non-members) secures your spot.
Half-Year Memberships open 1st October
If you've been waiting for the half-year memberships to renew, our 6-month memberships for the 1 October 2026 - 31 March 2027 are open now.
It's $50 for adults and $20 for kids, and covers you for discounted class and workshop fees, priority workshop enrolments, Members' Open Studio access, discounted Play With Clay and Members' Open Studio fees, entry into our Annual Exhibition, and utilising the kilns to fire work made outside of the studio.
Clear as Mud 2026 (Waihi)
Just a reminder — entries for Clear as Mud are open now, up to 4 pieces at $12 each, with titles and prices due by Saturday 7 November.
This year's show runs Friday 4 – Sunday 6 December at Waihi Arts Centre & Museum. It's an external exhibition run by Black Shed Pottery, so entries and enquiries go directly to them.
And that's it for this week folks - see you in the studio 🤗
Top L-R: GW, Unmarked, Sandra Lin.
Bottom L-R: Gina Walden, Unmarked, AS (?)
