Ceramicus 2025
5 November - 15 November 2025
at the Wellington Botanic Garden’s Begonia House
Thank you for joining us!
Ceramicus celebrated its 67th year from 5–15 November at the Wellington Botanic Garden’s Begonia House.
The Wellington Potters’ Association proudly presented Ceramicus 2025 — an inspiring showcase of contemporary ceramic art in the heart of Wellington. With the support of Wellington Gardens as our in-kind venue sponsor, the exhibition brought together established makers and emerging voices from across the region. From functional ware to sculptural forms, Ceramicus highlighted the innovation, tradition, and diversity that define our community — a community that includes enthusiastic beginners, dedicated hobbyists, and potters with more than fifty years of experience. Visitors had the chance to experience how clay continues to shape culture, foster connection, and spark creative expression.
This year’s Guest Selector and Featured Artist, Aaron Scythe, guided the selection of works and shaped the curatorial direction of the exhibition. Drawing on his experience across Japanese and New Zealand ceramic traditions, Aaron blended deep technical knowledge with a spirit of experimentation. His influence made Ceramicus 2025 both thoughtful and dynamic, encouraging new conversations about the future of contemporary ceramics.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who visited, supported artists through purchases, shared conversations with us, and voted for their favourite pieces. Your enthusiasm and generosity brought the exhibition to life and helped make Ceramicus 2025 a memorable celebration for our whole community.
Ngā mihi nui to our 2025 sponsors:
VENUE SPONSOR
AWARD SPONSORS
Thanks for coming to the Pop-Up Market !
Thank you to everyone who visited our four-day pop-up market!
We were treated to glorious weather, a fantastic turnout, and an atmosphere full of energy and kindness. So many of you stopped by to browse, chat, offer encouragement, and take home pieces you loved — your support meant the world to our makers.
The positive vibes, the steady buzz of people, and all the generous words you shared helped make the market something truly special.
We’re already looking forward to doing it all again next year!
Ceramicus 2025 Awards
Bot Pots Premier Award: 'What Escapes' - Elodie Ligouri
Bot Pots Excellence Award: 'Winter Tuesdays' - Katja Starke
Bot Pots Merit Award: "Plumpy Jar" - Vivian Rodriguez
Karla Marie Ceramics Emerging Potter Award: 'Two small flat whites, please' - Staci Old
Kiwi Underglaze Creative Colour Award: 'Bird Plate' - Anneke Borren
Friends of Wellington Botanic Garden Botanics Award: 'Quiet Biolume' - Brian Cleary
Nelson Pottery Supplies People's Choice Award: 'Octopot' - Rosalie Sherrell
Wellington Potters' Association Acquisition Award: 'Forest Fairy' - Elaine Marland
Wellington Potter's Association Acquisition Award: 'Emerald Sun' - Mal Sole
Wellington Potters' Association Highly Commended Emerging Potter Award: 'Tea Under the Toadstool' - Paigh Dibben
Wellington Potters' Association Highly Commended Award: 'Underflow' - Heather Payne
Wellington Potters' Association Highly Commended Award: 'Ceramic Bouquet' - Heidi (Hedy) Ankers
Wellington Potters' Association Highly Commended Award: 'Twisted Bloom' - Lans Hansen
All photography thanks to Mel Waite Photography (melwaitephotography.co.nz)
Ceramicus 2024 Awards
CLAY DOWN UNDER PREMIER AWARD – Caren Pistorious, ‘Basket of Brews’
BOT POTS EXCELLENCE AWARD – Julie Harrington, ‘Prickles in my socks’
BOT POTS MERIT AWARD – Lans Hansen, ‘Bronze Arete Vase’
BOT POTS EMERGING ARTIST AWARD – Jennifer Meech, ‘Rangatira Ātaahua’
KIWI UNDERGLAZE CREATIVE COLOUR AWARD – Sarah Drake, ‘Round squiggle pot’
BOT POTS HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD – Tony Mahoney, ‘My Imaginary Menagerie’
BOT POTS HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD – Chris Dunn, ‘Lidded Jar’
BOT POTS HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD – Peter Rumble, ‘ENGINE-UITY’
BOT POTS HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARD – Kate Mac, ‘ok boomer’
WELLINGTON POTTERS' ACQUISITION AWARD – Lans Hansen, 'Coral Vase'
NELSON POTTERY SUPPLIES PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (TIE) – Elodie Liguori, 'Padaung'
NELSON POTTERY SUPPLIES PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD (TIE) – Ish Doney, 'Cephalopod'
Photography thanks to Mel Waite Photography.
Ceramicus 2023 Awards
Photography thanks to Mel Waite Photography.
Ceramicus 2022 Awards
Decopot Premier Award in Ceramics: Anneke Borren - Floating Fish Vase
Abbots Excellence Award: Marilyn Hester - Tempestas: Roman wind goddess of storms
Abbots First Time Exhibitor Award: Bay Curry - We don’t make ourselves
Primo Clays Merit Award: Lyuba Zhilkina - Vase 1,2,3
Primo Clays Merit Award: Heather Payne - Find Your Own Path
Pip Woods - Homage to Basquiat- A Planter For My Son
James Dickman - Morning Smoko & Pitcher
James Dickman - Morning Smoko & Pitcher
Elaine Marland - Mother of Dragons & Dragon's Egg I,II,III
Elaine Marland - Mother of Dragons & Dragon's Egg I,II,III
Photography thanks to Mel Waite Photography.