Hi friends :)
What a day! Thank you to everyone who came along to the Big Day of Clay on Saturday. The studio was full of new faces getting mud on their hands and clay in their hearts, and it was so lovely to see ❤️ There's a big thank you to our volunteers and stallholders below.
Our super clever Diploma students had a huge week too, with their end-of-year assessments taking place on Tuesday 10th November - check out the pics below.
A quick kiln update: unfortunately, we're still waiting on the replacement element for Kiln 5, and it's looking like we won't be able to take private kiln bookings before the end of the year. We're so sorry! You can still bring in pieces to be fired and paid for by the item, and we'll fit them into our regular studio firings as best we can. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding.
These are your PWC and Members' Open Studio volunteers for the coming week, please join us in giving them a hearty thanks: Tim Edwards, Caitlin Fowler, John & Trudie MacIntosh, Margaret Raine, Yasmin Davis, Wilhelmiina Drummond and Ginny Lane. We are so grateful for your contribution to this awesome club🤗
As always, remember to check the online studio calendar before you head in, and read on for all the latest news...
Thank you for an amazing Big Day of Clay!
Our Open Day on Saturday 7th November was such a successful day, with the studio full from the moment the doors opened. Visitors had a go on the wheel, made pinch pots, painted pots, braved the slippery dip, and glazed their pots for raku. Unfortunately we didn't go ahead with the raku firings, due to the iffy weather, but David and Libby will be firing them in the coming weeks so they're also ready for collection on the 28th November.
None of it would have happened without our incredible volunteers. You made everyone feel so welcome, and you showed our visitors exactly what this club is all about, and just how good pottery is. Thank you so much for giving up your Saturday, we absolutely adore each and every one of you:
Alexy Simmons, Alison Stearn, Amy Pitt, Bronwyn Wright, Caitlin Fowler, Celeste Lim, Charlee Albany-Pearson, Claire Brazell, Claire Tane, David Clarke, David Kenny, Elisabeth Wernli, Emily Eales, Fiona Bunce, Ginni Davey, Jenn Howell, Katie Hoffman, Kristen Almond, Lisa Sinclair, Lydia Farrell, Lynn Harper, Margaret Raine, Mary Stieller, Nikki Brown, Sam Yow, Suzy Dunser, Tim Edwards, Wendy van den Berg Farrow and Yasmin Davis. You're all absolute legends! 🤗
Did we miss your name off this list? Please let Libby know so she can update the volunteer register!
A big thank you also to our market stallholders, who braved the weather and brought interest to the car park with their beautiful work: Tess May and Bronwyn Wright, Joyce Reeves, Wendy van den Berg Farrow and Ruth Schirley.
And thank you to Fiona Tunnicliffe for the three wonderful animals she made and donated for our raffles. Congratulations to the lucky raffle winners: the Rabbit went to Lydia Farrell, the Goat to Lynn Harper and the Rhino to Jake Meinling!
If you made something on the day, your pot will be ready to collect from Saturday 28th November. We can't call or email when it's ready, so pop a reminder in your phone!
Congratulations to our Diploma students!
A huge congratulations to our 2026 Diploma students, who have just finished their year of study with their end-of-year assessments on Tuesday. Week after week they’ve turned up on Fridays, put in the extra hours in the studio and pushed their ideas further, and it really shows in what they’ve produced. We’re so proud of every one of them.
The assessment exhibition was a real highlight. Every student brought something completely their own, from sculptural figures to textured vessels and functional ware, and seeing it all together in one room was a great reminder of how many directions clay can take you. Here’s a taste of some of the work they exhibited.
Term 4B: last chance to grab a spot
Inspired by Open Day? There's still time to get your hands in the clay before Christmas! A class also makes a great early Christmas present.
Wheel Throwing Taster Class
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 centering and throwing, with plenty of hands-on time at the wheel, before you commit to a longer course.
Find more info and enrol here.
Kiwi Underglaze have opened a new store!
Big congratulations to our friends at Kiwi Underglaze, who have just opened their new store in The Boulevard, Te Rapa. If you love adding colour and detail to your work, it's well worth a visit.
And here's the best bit: Kiwi Underglaze have put together an amazing offer just for WSP members. Members, keep an eye on your inbox, as we'll be emailing you all the details soon.
Not a member yet? It's a great time to join! Find out more about membership here.
Art in the Park at Eden Park: on this weekend
Looking for something arty to check out this weekend? Art in the Park is on at Eden Park in Auckland from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th November. It's a big art show and sale with work from artists across Aotearoa, including our very own Wilhelmiina Drummond, who is exhibiting. Pop along to say kia ora and see her work, and pick up some inspiration (or an early Christmas present!) while you're there.
This is an external event, so tickets are through Ticketmaster. For more info, visit artinthepark.co.nz or get in touch with the organisers directly.
Noho ora mai, see you in the studio xx
