August 2025 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
Anagama countdown
With just FOUR club bisque firings left before Receiving Day, no doubt you’re well on the way to shaping your Anagama creations. The Anagama FAQ found on the HelloClub home page contains all the information you need to know including what you can and can’t put in an Anagama firing.
A couple of timely reminders:
Sign up to Receiving day: Sunday, 31 August, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm by Sunday 24 August. This is also how you volunteer to help on Receiving day AND for Loading and Firing shifts.
Based on your sign-up answers in HelloClub, Ingrid P will create and circulate the Receiving Day roster in mid-August.
People signed up will receive an email questionnaire on 24 August to check their availability for Loading and Firing shifts. Be warned - this questionnaire has a very short turnaround time to be able to develop and circulate the full roster within a couple of days.
Anagama glazes and hard-copy Receiving day forms will be available in mid-August - keep an eye on social media. Online copies of Receiving Day forms can be downloaded from the FAQ and here.
SO…. If you want to be involved, sign up to Receiving day by 24 August otherwise you’ll miss out on the fun!
Examples of previous Anagama work to get you excited for this year.
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Ceramicus is also on the horizon!
Have you started thinking about your exhibition submission(s)?
Ceramicus, our annual exhibition, is a celebration of our pottery club and the diversity of ceramics! It’s open to all members and skill levels. Members can submit up to three entries each (limit of one set and one ‘not for sale’ piece).
A reminder that we’ll be back at the beautiful Begonia House and the key dates for your calendar are:
• Sun 2 Nov: Receiving day
• Weds 5 Nov to Sat 15 Nov: Exhibition open
• Sat 8 & Sun 9 Nov: Pop-up market
• Sun 16 Nov & Mon 17 Nov: Pot collection and pack down
This year’s Ceramicus will again be held at the Wellington Botanic Gardens’ Begonia House. Photo: Mel Waite Photography
The planned award categories are:
• Premier Award - $500 voucher
• Excellence Award - $350 voucher
• Merit Award - $250 voucher
• Emerging Potter Award - $200 voucher
• Creative Colour Award - $200 voucher
• People's Choice Award - $200 voucher
Our Guest Artist & Selector and award sponsors will be announced in the September newsletter.
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Ceramicus fundraiser
The banners from our 2023 & 2024 exhibitions have been repurposed into tote bags and messenger bags. Each bag is unique, featuring graphic designs from former WPA member, Hannah Dollery.
A portion of each bag will go towards the canvas maker for cost of production and the rest will go towards a new banner for 2025!
Bags are $50 each and there are 4 still available. If you’d like one please email wellingtonpotters.events@gmail.com
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It’s not too late to volunteer!
Can you help out with any of the below?
• Pop-up market coordinator
• Opening night coordinator
• Marketing and promotion
• Graphic design (signage, catalogue, certificates, social media tiles etc)
We’re also on the hunt for a convenor for 2026… While it is a while away, it could be helpful to work alongside Kate this year to see how it works and to begin scoping new venues for 2026 (due to the uncertainty surrounding the Begonia House).
If you are interested get in touch with Kate via wellingtonpotters.events@gmail.com
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Library project update
Things are underway in the Library space to create our new online catalogue! Georgina P, Ingrid P, and Heather B have successfully:
Added pictures and details of all 252 pottery collection items (bisque and fired). Huge thanks to Beth T, Rose I, Tanya E and Daphne D for their assistance with biographical information and meta tags.
Converted 45 movie files and uploaded links to our DVD collection so cinephiles will be able to watch educational videos from the comfort of their laptops. Thanks to Vera B for converting the physical DVDs to online formats.
Imported and meta-tagged the Glazing shelf of its books.
We have one Library Bee happening tomorrow (Saturday 2 August) to import more books. This may take more than one session so if you want to help in the future, add yourself as ‘Interested’ in HelloClub and we’ll reach out directly.
Once the books are entered online, we’ll be seeking volunteers to help cover the dust jackets and apply new stickers to the books. Again, keep an eye on Socials to help with that (or sign yourself up as ‘Interested’ to the Library Bee above).
We’re pretty excited about this project ‘coz the online catalogue looks so cool and we can’t wait to share it with you all!
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Papa Rock Reclaim
We’ve got some unusual recycled clay available this month—and here’s why: someone accidentally added Papa Rock to the club reclaim!
Papa Rock isn’t actually a clay—it’s a locally sourced mudstone, usually used in glazes. When broken down into clay bodies (such as our recycled clay), it introduces coarse, gritty particles that can melt at glaze (glost) temperatures, posing a risk to kiln shelves.
As a result, the next 30 bags of reclaim are full of these gritty little bits. However, we’ve decided to make the best of it: we’ll be selling this as a separate product—Papa Recycled—for just $10/bag.
Important to know about “Papa Recycled”:
• The Papa Rock “nuggets” melt at glost temps. See photos above.
• Do not return this clay to the club reclaim.
• Must be fired on a cookie (and ideally stilts as well) to protect kiln shelves.
• In-person pickup only — please see Bella or Peter to collect your bags of clay so they can explain how to use it safely.
Have fun with this unusual mix, and remember: no wild clay in the club reclaim!
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1000th Clay Order!
The WPA members-only clay shop.
Who will place the 1000th order of clay? We’re very close as you read this! There’s a (modest) prize up for grabs.
The first clay sale via Hello Club was on 1 November 2023—and since then, we’ve sold just under the equivalent of 1,200 10kg bags !
WPA currently stocks 30 to 40 different clay options, plus a few handy sampler packs. Buying through WPA means a stress-free process: no dealing with couriers, and freight is included in the price. Orders placed by 5pm Tuesday are ready for pickup from 10am Wednesday, and those placed by 5pm Friday are ready from 10am Saturday. Every bag sold also contributes a small amount to WPA funds—a win-win-win!
While we’re on the subject of clay:
Please collect your orders promptly. The clay table can get pretty full!
If you’ve ordered but can’t make it in for a while, just let Heather B. know at wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com so your order can be tucked away safely until you’re able to pick it up.
Welcome new members!
| Brianna G | Edwin S | Georgie C | Isabelle B | Jadye F | Maria B | Niichi H
| Brianna G | Edwin S | Georgie C | Isabelle B | Jadye F | Maria B | Niichi H
DID YOU KNOW…?
Responsible Club Firings Usage
While we haven’t had any major firing mishaps (phew!), we’re setting clear expectations to support responsible club firings use.
WHEN SUBMITTING WORK FOR FIRING, WE ASSUME:
Bisque firings —
• Work is fully bone dry
• No plaster contamination
Glost firings —
• Clay and glazes are suitable for Cone 6 (or relevant temp)
• You’re confident in the glaze/clay combo—or you’ve used a cookie
• The base is glaze-free with a 5mm margin (more for runny glazes), or you’ve used a cookie and stilts
INFRINGEMENT SCHEDULE:
• Minor glaze run: Note from Bella + cost of damage
• 3 glaze runs (any size), cumulative: Chat with Bella and gets noted as 1 major infringement
• Collecting damaged work without contacting us: 1 major infringement
• 2 major infringements: Referred to Committee → possible firing stand-down and/or mandatory glazing class (at your cost)
This isn’t about punishment—it’s about protecting our kilns and supporting everyone’s learning. And when in doubt, just ask!!
We’ll get these into the “Guide to the Use of the Rooms” ASAP.
Member’s Gallery
Lots of fun things here for your viewing pleasure! Thanks to everyone who sent in photos.
First up, Julie H’s Anagama pieces to get you excited for the next (and likely last) firing in September:
This gorgeous sculpture from Paola N, titled 'Transmuting our Nature':
Happy CEC students and their wares from Chris Dunn’s class:
These tui from Sandy E.:
These cups from Ninon B:
This beautiful tagine from Jade V:
And these bowls, lovely buttons, and plates from Elise W:
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Is there something you’ve made that you are particularly proud of? If so, please email your photos (and descriptions, if you’d like) to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
PSAs from the Club Admin
Admin OOO through 1 October
Reminder: Your friendly neighbourhood Admin will be working remotely through August and September. I’ll still be checking emails (probably too often), but the August MMCU and September newsletter might be a little late due to travel.
In the meantime, you’re in charge of keeping forms and slips stocked—master copies and extras are in the orange folder in the library (next to the desk).
If something’s running low and you can’t refill it (e.g. industrial volumes of paper towels or tea, for example), email me and I’ll sort it. Easy stuff like toilet cleaner can be grabbed from New World if you’re keen.
And if you’re stuck, don’t worry—help is only a Wi-Fi signal away, so email as necessary!
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New Maintenance Book
We’ve added a new maintenance book at the sign-in desk! It’s pink, with a ribbon bookmark and an elastic page holder—so (hopefully!) people won’t skip ahead and start entries on blank pages.
If you come across something that needs fixing and you can’t sort it yourself, just log it in the book and someone will take care of it.
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Spray Booth Etiquette Reminder
To the mystery spray booth user with the red glaze—yes, we know. Responsible users are taking before and after photos of their booth use, which makes it pretty easy to spot when someone’s left a mess. You were down there sometime between the 25th and 27th, and your not-so-subtle trail of red glaze has been noted.
We really don’t want to take the next step, but if this continues, we’ll need to introduce a sign-in sheet for collecting the spray gun so that we can make people accountable for cleaning up after themselves. We'd much rather not go there!
If you insist on staying anonymous, at the very least, leave the booth spotless—don’t make it obvious you’ve been. Thanks!
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Tools Gone on Walkabout
We’re sad to report that the brand new little red calipers reported missing two weeks ago still haven’t turned up.
Even worse, Vivian R’s handmade bats have been taken from her cubby (#148). These are VERY clearly personal tools with her name on them, not club property. On the upside, the two plaster moulds that were taken have been returned (very clean—thanks!), but let’s be clear:
🚫 Don’t take tools that aren’t yours.
🚫 Club tools do not leave the studio.
🚫 Personal tools in cubbies are off limits.
If you’ve taken something by accident—or even on purpose—please just return it. No questions asked, no drama. We just want the tools back and the trust restored.
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Two Mocha Units Still Available
We’ve got two Mocha units available. These are the grey lockable cupboards stashed under the stacks and some tables along the back of the room. If you are interested in one, email the Cubbies Wrangler at wellingtonpotters.cubbies@gmail.com. They are $160 per 6-month period.
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And lastly: don’t forget to turn off your wheels! There have been a couple of hilarious ghost moments at the studio lately.
Ngā mihi.
Suggestion Box Updates
Thanks for your suggestions in the suggestion box! Believe it or not, the suggestion box is NOT a black void of notes from you all. Suggestions get read, discussed, and logged at the Committee Meetings. Below are the suggestions and outcomes from last month’s meeting (click the “+” to expand).
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We actually have four, but we can add to this collection with some from our CEC collection. Look out for a few more to appear on the floor soon.
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We’re on it! We’re finalising a class with Chris Dunn now. Look for it through the usual channels soon.
Soup for August
This one comes from Jade V., and is one of her go-tos. Yes, the photo above has carrot in the soup–and Jade’s recipe does not–but just pretend they are tomatoes!
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INGREDIENTS
• 1 roast chicken (1200-1300gm bird) pre-roasted or roast yourself
• 500ml chicken stock
• 500ml coconut cream (I use Ayam brand, 2 x 270gm, from Moore Wilson's)
• 1 x 400gm can of peeled tomatoes
• 1 bunch of spring onions
• 2 heaped tablespoons of grated ginger
• 2 crushed cloves of garlic
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of roasted sesame oil
• Herb salt & pepper (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon of turmeric (or to taste)DIRECTIONS
When your chicken is roasted (with herbs & garlic):
1) Bring the chicken stock gently to a simmer, with the ginger, garlic, salt & pepper
2) Add the coconut cream and turmeric
3) Cut the tomatoes into cubes (discarding the seed parts) and add
4) Cut the chicken into small chunks and add
5) Slice the spring onions thin and add to soup along with the lime juice
6) Bring the pot back to a simmer. Remove from heat and serve; garnish with sliced spring onions
Upcoming WPA Classes & Events
Library Working Bee
Saturday 2 August | 1 - 5PM
Calling all library users!
Do you like books / libraries / data entry? We're looking for a few people to help Georgina P and Ingrid P review and transfer information about the books in our Library to our new online database. Although we can scan barcodes and enter ISBN numbers to auto-magically import most books, there is still a little bit of additional data entry to be done and a snazzy new WPA logo embosser to be applied to each book's front page. We're looking for people who can bring their laptop to the session and who are relatively fast at typing / data entry.
Like most volunteer tasks, many hands make light work. Let's make an afternoon of it!
(Note: if you are a library lover but not tech-savvy, don't worry! We'll have another bee after the collection is catalogued to re-cover and label books. 😊 )
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Japanese Tea Bowls for Beginners | 2-Part Workshop
Part One: 3 August | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Part Two: 6 August | 6 - 9 PM
Join Lyuba Zhilkina for a two-part workshop exploring the Japanese method of throwing off the hump.
Designed for beginners and those curious about new techniques, this hands-on workshop introduces a distinctive approach to the wheel grounded in Japanese ceramic traditions.
Lyuba will demonstrate the fundamentals of throwing off the hump and share insights into the philosophy behind Japanese pottery, highlighting key differences from European techniques. In the first session, you'll learn how to wedge, centre, and throw simple forms—such as small bowls—off the hump. The second session focuses on trimming your pots and refining your technique, with the opportunity to create a small plate or yunomi (teacup).
Please bring your usual throwing tools and approximately 5kg of clay you're comfortable using.
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Sgraffito | 1-Day Workshop
Saturday 9 August | NOON - 5PM
Unlock the Art of Sgraffito with Vivian Rodriguez
This 1-day workshop combines demonstration with hands-on practice and is open to students of all skill levels. Explore Sgraffito—a decorative technique where you carve through colored slip to reveal contrasting clay beneath.
Instructor Vivian Rodriguez will share her personal slip recipes and demonstrate various application methods. You’ll learn to create and apply coloured slips, transfer your own designs onto slipped pottery, and carve using specialized tools. The course emphasizes design flow, texture, and how to integrate Sgraffito into your unique ceramic practice.
By the end, you’ll feel confident in using Sgraffito techniques in your own work.
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Friends and Family Night
Friday 15 August | 5 - 9PM
August’s Friends & Family Night is technically full—but every month, a few people don’t show, and there’s usually a waitlist.
If your plans change, please cancel your spot so someone else can join.
To join the waitlist, mark yourself as “Interested” in Hello Club. There are no automatic updates, but every now and then Admin will check for cancellations and email those on the list. It’s also worth checking Hello Club directly—spots often free up in the final day or two!
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Anagama Working Bee | Final Tasks
Saturday 16 August | 10AM - 4PM
Last chance to earn two extra pots in the anagama firing—join us for some final kiln prep!
We’ve got a few key tasks left before firing, including some great options for those after less physical work:
• Kiln shelves and props need kiln washing
• The kiln interior needs chipping and tidying
• A bit of organising around the site
Whether you're a seasoned anagama helper or it’s your first time pitching in, all hands are welcome—and every bit helps get us closer to firing day.
Wear sturdy shoes, bring gardening gloves, lunch to share, and plenty of water. A mask’s not a bad idea either—there’s always a bit of dust and soot around the kiln!
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Refining the Basics on the Wheel | 4-Part Course
Starts Tuesday 19 August | 5:30 - 9:30PM
Finished your beginners’ class and joined WPA but you’re still struggling with some of the basics? Then this class could help!
Over four sessions, beginners will be reminded of the basics but also be exposed to alternative ways of centring, pulling walls, and trimming vessels. There will be plenty of time to practice and find techniques that work best for you. Ingrid will go over the basics at the beginning of each session and then provide targeted advice to individuals to overcome challenges.
For the final class, students can agree on a particular shape or technique that Ingrid will demonstrate. Practice is the focus rather than creating vessels to keep - be prepared to squish quite a few of your practice items!
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Throwing off the Hump (and Beyond) | 1-Day Workshop
Saturday 23 August | 10AM - 4PM
Learn to throw off the hump (and more!) with Shige Ohashi.
A former WPA member, Shige was instrumental in establishing our anagama kiln and brings a wealth of experience in traditional and large-scale throwing.
Join him for a full-day workshop focused on throwing off the hump and creating larger forms. Shige will demonstrate a variety of shapes—including tea bowls, large shallow bowls, vases, and moon jars—and provide hands-on guidance as you develop your own work.
Some experience centring over 1kg of clay will be helpful, but not essential—Shige will offer tips and techniques to support your centring skills. Please bring around 10kg of clay you’re comfortable working with, along with your usual throwing tools.
Community News & Events
Andrew Matthews, a family friend of one of our members (Veronika Meduna), has died recently and left a large pottery collection, including pieces by New Zealand and international potters collected since the late 1970s.
His wife Wendy has decided to offer all pieces for sale. For anyone interested, there will be two open-home viewing sessions, on August 9 and 10 (Saturday and Sunday) at 2-4pm, at 13 Kabul Street (Khandallah).
If you have any questions, please email Admin for Veronika’s details.
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Links to other clubs’ current newsletters
Ceramics New Zealand national news can be found here, with the Wellington / regional news here.
The latest Gear Homestead Woolshed Potters’ Newsletter can be found here.
The latest The Kilns at Te Horo Newsletter can be found here.
The latest Ōtaki Potter’s Newsletter can be found here.
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 22 August.
A reminder that the September Newsletter will be published on 3 September.
