Hi lovelies!
The school holidays have wrapped up here, and what a fortnight it's been! Our second School Holiday Day Workshop finished up yesterday, and the shelves are now full of marvelous masterpieces waiting their turn in the kiln. Please bear with us while we glaze and fire our way through the mountain.
This weekend we welcome Fiona Tunnicliffe back for The Beauty of the Beast, her two-day animal sculpture workshop. That means the studio is closed all day Saturday the 10th and Sunday the 11th, so there's no Play With Clay or Members' Open Studio this Saturday, and we can't accept pick-ups or drop-offs, or process clay sales either, sorry!
Then it's all go again from Monday, when our Term 4 classes start up.
A big thank you to the coming week's PWC and MOS volunteers: Margaret Raine, Leisa Templer, Yasmin Davis and Teresa Gibbison. You little beauties! 🤗
As always, check the online studio calendar before you head in.
Read on for all the latest news...
Another WSP legend, another birthday!
Hot on the heels of Margaret's 80th, we've got another WSP legend's birthday to celebrate! Yasmin Davis turns 60 next week, so we're getting the cake forks back out and putting on a morning tea in her honour.
Wednesday 14 October, 11am, WSP studios
Whether she's taught you, helped you out at Play With Clay or simply cheered you on from across the studio, come along and help us make a fuss of her. Please bring a plate to share, and your best birthday singing voice 🎂
Kiln 5 is out of action
Sad news from the kiln room: our beloved Kiln 5 is out of action with a broken element. While we get it sorted, we're not able to take personal kiln bookings until further notice.
You can, of course, still bring your pieces in to be fired and pay per piece using the standard firing calculation sheets, and we'll get them through the system as quickly as we can.
We know that's a pain if you had a firing in mind, and we're sorry for the hassle. We'll let you know right here as soon as Kiln 5 is back up and running. Thanks for your patience!
Term 4 classes start Monday
Our Term 4 line-up is ready to roll from Monday 12 October. Most classes have already sold out, but there are still places left in these three, so if you've been meaning to enrol, now's the moment!
Tuesday Morning Wheel Throwing — Sarah Steed
Starts Tuesday 13 October | 9.30am–12.30pm | 8 weeks
A relaxed and supportive wheel-throwing class for beginners and developing potters.
Enrol here
Friday Introduction to Pottery (Term 4A) — David Kenny
Starts Friday 16 October | 6pm–9pm | 4 weeks
A fantastic beginner-friendly introduction to handbuilding, wheel throwing, glazing, and firing.
Enrol here
Sunday Wheel Throwing Taster (Term 4A) — Sarah Steed
Starts Sunday 18 October | 10am–1pm | 4 weeks
Perfect for complete beginners wanting to give wheel throwing a go before committing to a longer course.
Enrol here
Kids' Play With Clay starts again next week
The final term of Kids' Play With Clay for the year starts next week, on Wednesday 14 October.
If your young potter has been keen to give it a go (or can't wait to get back into it), now's the time! Kids' PWC runs on Wednesdays, 4pm–5.30pm, $15 per participant, and covers clay, glazes and firing. No need to commit to a full term: come to one session or as many as you like.
Sessions are aimed at ages 7–14, though younger kids are welcome with a parent or caregiver, and older kids (or parents keen to join in) are always welcome too. Places are limited to 24, so booking online ahead of time is recommended. Online bookings close at 12 noon on the day.
Term 4 dates: 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov, 25 Nov, 2 Dec.
Open Day is coming, and we need you!
Save the date: WSP Open Day is on Saturday 7 November, 10am–2pm. It's our chance to throw the doors open, show the wider community what goes on in here, and welcome a few new faces into the clay whānau.
We'd love your help to make it a good one. There are two ways to get involved:
Volunteer on the day. We need friendly faces to welcome visitors, show people around and help out with demos and have-a-go activities. Even an hour or two makes a difference. Sign up here, or on the paper register in-studio. Thaaaaanks! xxx
Take a table at the members' market. Got pots (or other art) looking for a new home? We're running a members' pottery and art market on the day. Claim a market spot here.
Phoenix Wood Firing: November dates
The Phoenix is firing up again next month, this time with fire master Clare Wimmer at the helm. Whether you're an old hand or you've never stoked a kiln in your life, this is a warm, hands-on few days where everyone mucks in together, and newbies are especially welcome.
Sign-up and pop these in your diary:
Prep day: Saturday 14 November
Loading: Saturday 21 November
Firing: Sunday 22 November
Unloading: Saturday 28 November
Two members' exhibitions on now in Morrinsville
Here's a lovely excuse for a drive out to Morrinsville: two exhibitions by WSP members are showing at Morrinsville Gallery right now, so you can take in both in one visit.
Vessels & Journeys: Sarah Lee & Herman Harmzen
Our very own Sarah Lee (WSP member, Treasurer, and maker of some truly wonderful ceramic critters) has teamed up with painter Herman Harmzen for a joint exhibition that invites us to consider our own vessels and journeys: "what they hold, what they protect, or what they become." Expect Sarah's richly textured, creature-like ceramic forms alongside Herman's dreamlike paintings of ships, sea and sky.
Whakaaturanga Gallery
On until Sunday 1 November
Jenni Taris: Exhibition and workshops
In the gallery's Awatea space, WSP member Jenni Taris has an exhibition celebrating a retrospective of student work, exploring New Zealand wildlife, personal connections to place through creativity, identity, and evolving artistic practice. If the lush blue ceramic blooms on the poster are anything to go by, it's one to see in person. Jenni is also running workshops alongside the exhibition; to register, email info@morrinsvillegallery.org.nz.
Awatea Gallery
On until Sunday 8 November
Visiting
Morrinsville Gallery, 167 Thames Street, Morrinsville
Gallery hours: Tuesday–Friday 10am–4pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am–3pm
These are external exhibitions hosted by Morrinsville Gallery. For more info, get in touch with them directly on 07 889 7791 or visit morrinsvillegallery.org.nz.
Congratulations Sarah, Herman and Jenni, ka rawe!
