Shared Earth - Annual Members' Exhibition 2026
The Waikato Society of Potters invites all financial members to enter Shared Earth, our 2026 Annual Members' Exhibition.
One of the highlights of the WSP calendar, this exhibition celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, and diversity of our clay community. Open to all members, it's an opportunity to share the work you've been making, whether you're new to ceramics or have years of experience behind you.
The title Shared Earth reflects what brings us together: we all begin with the same material, yet every maker's work is uniquely their own. From functional ware and mugs to sculpture and wall-based pieces, the exhibition showcases the many ways clay can be shaped, explored, and expressed.
There is no "right" stage at which to enter. We welcome all styles, skill levels, and creative journeys, and encourage members to submit work they're proud of—whether it's a long-developed piece, an exciting experiment, or a first finished work.
The exhibition will be held at ArtsPost Gallery, Hamilton, with the opening preview evening and awards ceremony taking place on Friday 4 September 2026 at 5.30pm. Entries open 1 July 2026 and close 14 August 2026.
Exhibition Judge - Aaron Scythe
We’re beyond excited to announce that Aaron Scythe will be the judge for our 2026 Members' Exhibition.
Aaron is an internationally respected ceramic artist who spent 16 years living and working in Japan, where he held more than 60 solo exhibitions and participated in numerous group shows. During this time he also delivered workshops, appeared on national television, and had his work featured in a range of pottery publications.
His ceramics are held in private collections throughout New Zealand, Japan, Europe, and the United States. Aaron's work reflects a deep engagement with Japanese ceramic traditions alongside a contemporary practice shaped by cultural exchange and lived experience.
We're delighted to have Aaron bringing his knowledge, experience, and discerning eye to this year's exhibition.
Awards Sponsors
The Waikato Society of Potters gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our exhibition sponsors. Their contributions make it possible to celebrate and reward excellence in ceramics across a wide range of categories.
We also gratefully acknowledge our funders for making the exhibition possible - Hamilton City Council and Creative Communities NZ.
Awards sponsors include:
Our wonderful anonymous donor
Decopot
Bot Pots
CCG
Kiwi Underglaze
Caroline Hamilton
Farmer Jones Organics
Yasmin & Mark Davis
Jenni Taris & Janet Smith
Award Categories
Open Awards
WSP Premier Award
$1,000 cash
Sponsored by an anonymous donor.
Merit Awards (3)
$500 vouchers
Sponsored by Bot Pots.
Functional Award
Awarded to a work that has a clear functional purpose.
$500 voucher
Sponsored by Decopot.
Non-Functional Award
Awarded to asculptural or conceptual work.
$500 voucher
Sponsored by Decopot.
Best Use of Underglaze
Awarded to a piece incorporating underglaze techniques.
$250 voucher
Sponsored by Kiwi Underglaze.
On the Hook Award
Awarded to a wall-hanging piece.
$150 cash
Sponsored by Yasmin & Mark Davis.
Mug Award
Awarded to a functional, food-safe mug with a handle.
$100 cash
Sponsored by Jenni Taris & Janet Smith.
People's Choice Award
Voted on by exhibition visitors and awarded after the exhibition closes.
$150 cash
Sponsored by Farmer Jones Organics.
Special Category Awards
Ngā Ringa Uku – Māori Clay Practitioner Award
Open to artists who whakapapa Māori (are of Māori descent)
$600 voucher
Sponsored by Decopot.
Emerging Artist Award
Open to artists with less than three years' clay experience.
$500 voucher
Sponsored by CCG.
WSP President's Award
For members whose primary making space is WSP's Play with Clay or Members' Open Studio sessions.
8-week class voucher (value $220)
Sponsored by Caroline Hamilton
Young Artist Award
For artists who are under 16 years of age on 4 September 2026.
$100 firing voucher
Sponsored by Waikato Society of Potters.
Trap, by Sarah Lee
Winner of the 2025 Premier Award
Pegboard With Accessories by Larissa Milsum
Winner of a 2025 Bot Pots Merit Award
Entries
Key Dates
1 July: Entries open
14 August: Entries close
24–28 August 2026: Physical works delivered to WSP studios
4 September, 5.30pm: Opening Preview Evening and Awards Ceremony
28 September–2 October 2026: Collection of unsold works
Who Can Enter?
The exhibition is open to all financial members of the Waikato Society of Potters.
Entry Limits
Members may enter a maximum of four works:
Up to two open-category entries (one may be a set of up to six pieces)
One mug entry
One wall-hanging entry ("On the Hook")
How to Enter
Submit your completed entry form either in person, or via email to:
Libby Cameron
Manager, Waikato Society of Potters
Email: manager@waikatopotters.co.nz
Entry forms must be received by 11.59pm on 14 August 2026. No late entries will be accepted.
The Lost Boy by Christo Rautenbach
Winner of a 2025 Bot Pots Merit Award
Terms and Conditions
Conditions of Entry
This exhibition is open to all financial members of the Waikato Society of Potters.
A maximum of four entries may be submitted:
up to two open-category entries (one of which may be a set containing up to six pieces),
one wall-hanging entry,
and one mug entry.
Items entered as part of a set must be for sale as a set, not individually.
All works must be structurally sound, stable, and safe to handle and display. The organisers reserve the right to decline any work considered unsafe, unstable, excessively fragile, or unsuitable for display.
The Waikato Society of Potters reserves the right to refuse any entry that does not comply with these conditions or is considered unsuitable for exhibition.
Entry Forms
Please send a copy of this entry form (email or paper) to the WSP Manager by 11:59pm on 14 August 2026. manager@waikatopotters.co.nz
No late entries will be accepted.
Delivery and Packaging
All entered works must be delivered to the WSP studios between 24–28 August 2026, during studio open hours.
Each work must be securely packaged in reusable packaging and packed separately in its own box.
The outside of each box must include:
A copy of the entry form
the title of the work
a photograph of the work
For example, if entering four works, you must supply four separately packaged boxes, each with its own documentation attached.
Each work must also have a label affixed to the bottom, including the artist’s name and the title of the work. This is vital during the exhibition installation process when works are considered for judging, and for correlating works to the sales catalogue.
Any unlabelled work will not be displayed.
Collection
All unsold work can be collected from Waikato Society of Potters between 29 September – 2 October 2026, during studio open hours.
Works not collected by the stated collection dates may incur storage fees or be disposed of at the discretion of the Waikato Society of Potters unless prior arrangements have been made.
Selection and Judging Process
The selection process will be carried out by an exhibition curator appointed by the WSP Committee.
Award winners will be selected by the appointed judge(s), except for the People’s Choice Award, which will be determined by visitor voting during the exhibition.
All selection and judging decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.
Originality
All work must have been created in the last 12 months and be the sole work of the member, unless it is a joint work between two or more financial members, each of whom must be listed on the entry form.
All work must be original and must not directly copy or substantially reproduce the work or designs of another artist.
Submissions previously exhibited at ArtsPost are not eligible for this exhibition.
Sales
A commission of 40% + GST will be taken off the selling price by ArtsPost.
Waikato Society of Potters is registered for GST.
Prices must be shown in complete dollars and include GST.
All entries must be for sale.
Sold works must remain on display until the close of the exhibition unless otherwise agreed by the organisers.
Payments for sold works will be processed after the close of the exhibition and once payment has been received from ArtsPost.
Insurance and Liability
Insurance for all works is the responsibility of the exhibitor.
While all reasonable care will be taken in handling and displaying works, Waikato Society of Potters, ArtsPost, organisers, volunteers, and sponsors accept no responsibility for loss, damage, theft, breakage, or clerical error.
Submission of an entry form constitutes agreement to these Terms and Conditions.
Enquiries to:
Libby Cameron, Manager, Waikato Society of Potters
Phone: 07 838 1950
Email: manager@waikatopotters.co.nz
