Kia ora koutou
The Big Day of Clay is tomorrow! We've been buzzing around all week getting the prep work done, and we can't wait to welcome our wider community in. Massive thanks to those who have volunteered to help us tomorrow - it's going to be great fun!
It's a big week for our Diploma students too, with their end-of-year assessments on Tuesday 10th November. Kia kaha, everyone, we're so proud of the mahi you've put in this year.
A quick kiln update: we're still waiting on the replacement element for Kiln 5, so we're still unable to take private kiln bookings. With all the Open Day work to process as well, there's a small chance we won't be able to take any private bookings for the rest of the year. We're still unsure, but we wanted to flag it early to give you all a chance to find alternatives. Thank you so much for your patience, and we'll let you know as soon as we know more.
A big thank you to this week's PWC and Members' Open Studio volunteers: Margaret Raine, Shadae Owen and Yasmin Davis. Blessings upon you, beautiful friends 🤗
And as always, check the online studio calendar before you head in.
The Big Day of Clay is tomorrow!
Our Open Day is on tomorrow, Saturday 7th November, 10am–2pm, and we're all set. Have a go on the wheel, make a pinch pot, paint a pot, brave the slippery dip and watch the raku firings, with all activities just $2 each. Our market stallholders will have pottery for sale in the car park too. We'll glaze and fire everything visitors make, ready to collect three weeks later. So bring your friends and whānau along!
Raffles: Fiona Tunnicliffe has made and donated three of her wonderful animal sculptures for us to raffle: a Rabbit, a Goat and a Rhino, with oxides and surface finishes added by our staff. Tickets are $2 each from the ticket desk, and we'll draw the winners at the end of the day and give them a call. Thank you so much, Fiona!
A couple of things for members: there'll be no pickups or drop offs on Saturday, as we'll be busy with visitors. And the forecast isn't looking great, so bring a raincoat!
To everyone on the volunteer roster, thank you, thank you! You should have had an email from us yesterday with details on your allocated shifts and activities. We couldn't do it without you xxx
Term 4B classes - get in now
These two classes still have spaces, and they need a few enrolments to go ahead. If you've been thinking about it, now's the time! Know someone who's always wanted to give clay a go? Send this their way. A class makes a great early Christmas present too.
Fire, Smoke & Feathers: Alternative Raku with David Kenny
Starts Friday 13th November (that's next week!) | 6pm–9pm | 4 weeks
There's nothing quite like pulling a glowing pot out of the kiln! Over four Friday nights, David will take you through three alternative raku techniques: naked raku, horsehair & feathers and copper matt, each with its own drama and one-of-a-kind results. All levels welcome, no experience needed. Slips, glazes, firings and safety gear are all included, and it's limited to just 8 students.
Sunday Wheel Throwing Taster
Starts Sunday 22nd November | 10am–1pm | 4 weeks
Always wanted to try the wheel? This one's for complete beginners. Over four Sunday mornings you'll learn the basics of centring and throwing, with plenty of hands-on time at the wheel, before you commit to a longer course.
Raku firing: Saturday 28th November
Our next raku firing is on Saturday 28th November, running alongside Saturday Play With Clay, and everyone is welcome, members and non-members alike. Come and get up close to a firing that's all flames, sparks and smoke, with breathtaking (and wonderfully unpredictable) results!
Bring your bisqueware, glazed with raku-labelled glazes
Firing is charged per piece, based on size, plus the usual studio use fee
First time? Please read the event details before you come along
Booking is much appreciated so we can get everything ready. Find more info and register here.
November wood firing cancelled
We're sorry to say we've had to cancel the November wood firing, as we didn't have enough sign-ups for it to go ahead. We know some of you have been making work especially for it. If you paid a deposit, it will be refunded in full, and we've been in touch by email. Our first wood firing for 2027 is planned for around March, so keep an eye on the newsletter for details.
Key dates
The end of the year is sneaking up on us fast! Here's everything to pop in your diary between now and Christmas, plus a first look at 2027.
The rest of 2026
Monday 30th November: bisque pieces in for firing, if you want them home before we close
Monday 7th December: glazed pieces in for firing, and Term 1 2027 enrolments open at 9am
Tuesday 15th December, 5.30pm: WSP Christmas Party. It's our favourite night of the year! Bring a plate of kai to share and your own drinks, and get ready for our usual (cut-throat) stealing Secret Santa. There's no Tuesday night Play With Clay that night, we're partying instead.
Friday 18th December, 10am–4pm: End of Year Working Bee. Many hands make light work! Come for an hour or stay all day. Look out for the sign-up sheets in the studio and online. The studio won't be open for potting, but you can still pick up and drop off.
Friday 18th December, 4pm: summer closure. We close for the break, so make sure you've collected everything you need.
We'll still happily take pieces after the firing deadlines and keep firing right up until we close, but we can't guarantee you'll get them back this year.
Coming up in 2027
Studio reopens: Monday 11th January, 9.30am
Term 1 starts: week of 1st February (enrolments open 9am Monday 7th December)
Open Day: Saturday 10th April
Matariki Pit Firing: 26th–27th June
Mighty Waikato Pottery Throwdown: Saturday 21st August
Annual Members' Exhibition at ArtsPost: 2nd–20th December, with the opening preview and awards on Thursday 2nd December
You'll find all the term dates, school holiday workshops and more on the Events page. See the full list of 2027 dates here.
