Kia ora e hoa mā
A huge thank you to everyone who came along to celebrate Margaret's 80th birthday on Tuesday! It was so special to gather around her and show her some love for everything she does for us. Margaret, you're a treasure, and WSP simply wouldn't be the same without you 💛
And the celebrations aren't over yet. Another very special person has a milestone birthday coming up, so read on to find out who, and how you can join the party!
A massive thank you to Trudie and John Mackintosh and Claire Brazell, who headed out to Cambridge today and helped us collect well over a tonne of donated clay. And a very special thank you to Stuart Allen, who donated the clay along witha heap of kiln props and cones. This clay bonanza will keep Open Day, Kids' Play With Clay and our School Holiday Workshops going for quite some time. More than ever, we're feeling so blessed by the generosity of our members and friends x
Just a reminder to come in and collect any unsold works from our Shared Earth exhibition. Check your emails to see whether you sold work or have pieces waiting for you to pick up. Or give Libby a call on 07 838 1950 and she'll let you know.
A big thank you to this week's PWC and MOS volunteers: Caitlin Fowler, Tim Edwards, Margaret Raine, Claire Brazell, and Yasmin Davis. Big hugs and much love to you all x 🤗
We have a couple of studio closures coming up where we won't be able to process pick-ups or drop-offs, please take a note of these. And as always, remember to check the online studio calendar before you head in.
CLOSED Thursday 8th October, all day, School Holiday Day Programme
CLOSED Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th October, all day, Fiona Tunnicliffe Workshop
Read on for all the latest news...
And the Shared Earth People's Choice Award goes to...
Drumroll please... the Farmer Jones Organics People's Choice Award goes to Emily Eales for Hare-brained Scholar! Congratulations Emily. It's a special thing to win the one voted for by the people who came through the gallery doors.
More congratulations to everyone who won awards and sold work, and one more big thank you to every single person who entered. You made Shared Earth so freakin' fantastic, and we're incredibly proud of our clay community.
Happy 60th, Yasmin!
Put the kettle on, we've got another birthday to celebrate! Our very own Yasmin Davis is turning 60, and we're throwing her a morning tea to mark the occasion in true WSP style.
Wednesday 14 October, 11am, WSP studios
Bring a plate of nibbles to share and come help us shower Yasmin with the love she deserves. She gives so much to this place, so let's make it a good one!
New cubby rental term now open
Our next storage cubby rental term runs from 1 October to 31 December. Cubbies are $20 per term, and if you're renewing, you'll keep your current cubby number.
Because of the summer closure, you won't need to clear out your cubby at the end of this term until 11 January, so no end-of-year scramble!
If you'd like to rent a cubby, or renew yours, get in touch with Libby at manager@waikatopotters.co.nz. There are 28 cubbies in total, and once they're full we'll pop you on the waitlist.
Term 4 Classes
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 a class for you. A few have sold out already, so if you're thinking about enrolling — don't wait!
Monday Morning Wheel Throwing — Sarah Steed *1 PLACES LEFT
Starts 12 Oct, 9.30am–12.30pm
Enrol hereMonday Evening Hand Building — Yasmin Davis *1 PLACE LEFT
starts 12 Oct, 6pm–9pm
Enrol hereTuesday Morning Wheel Throwing — Sarah Steed
Starts 13 Oct, 9.30am–12.30pm
Enrol hereWednesday Evening Wheel Throwing — Emily Eales *SOLD OUT
Starts 14 Oct, 6pm–9pm
Join the waitlist hereThursday Morning Sculpture Skills — Emily Eales *SOLD OUT
Starts 15 Oct, 9.30am–12.30pm
Join the waitlist hereThe Half and Half (Wheel & Hand Building) — Brogan Houghton *SOLD OUT
Starts 15 Oct, 6pm–9pm
Join the waitlist hereFriday Introduction to Pottery (Term 4A) — David Kenny
Starts 16 Oct, 6pm–9pm
Enrol hereSunday Wheel Throwing Taster (Term 4A) — Sarah Steed
Starts 18 Oct, 10am–1pm
Enrol here
November Phoenix Wood Firing
Our next Phoenix Wood Firing is locked in for November, with Clare Wimmer as our fire master. This welcoming, hands-on firing is open to beginners and experienced makers alike. You'll be part of the whole process, from prepping and loading the kiln through to the firing and the big reveal at unpacking.
Prep day: Saturday 14 November
Loading: Saturday 21 November
Firing: Sunday 22 November
Unloading: Saturday 28 November
September's firing sold out, so don't wait too long to grab your spot!
Open Day Volunteers
We're doing it again! On the 7th of November we'll be opening up the studio and running lots of potty activities for anyone and everyone who wants to come and take a gander, make a few pieces, and see how good working with clay is.
And of course, we can't run this awesome day without the contribution of our beautiful volunteers! If you're keen to help us show the world how fab our club is, we'd be stoked to have you with us. If you can help for a couple of hours in the morning, or in the afternoon, or even for the whole day, there'll be a range of activities running, so there will be something everyone can help with, no matter your pottery skill level. Things like:
Selling activity tickets
Selling raffle tickets
Helping people underglaze their paint-a-pots
Showing people how to make and decorate pinch pots
Helping glaze the raku pots
Helping smoke the raku pots
Showing people how to make a wheel-thrown pot
Slippery dip helpers
If this sounds like a bit of you, sign-up for a time slot here, or on the register in the studio.
Thanks lovelies! 🤗xx
That's it for this week, we'll leave you with these lovely pieces we spotted on the shelves...
