May 2026 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
The studio from behind looking over the city.
A Solar Update: Highs and Lows
Since the solar system went live in February, we've sold $223.92 of power back to Meridian. As we work through the year and establish the studio's power usage baseline, this month we're looking at four snapshots that capture the range of conditions the system handles and how that will shift with the seasons.
The first two charts below compare Tuesdays when we fire Obi (our biggest power days). You are looking for the length of time that the green appears (roughly 7:30AM - 8PM for February and 7:30AM - 5:30PM for April). This difference between a February and April Tuesday reflects the shorter days and lower sun angle as we move into autumn, giving the panels a little less to work with when offsetting those heavy firing days. (Note: “net revenue” will not be correct in February as we did not have the app configured correctly yet.)
A February Tuesday vs…
… an April Tuesday.
The next two charts show the extremes: our best solar day so far (a clear February day at the height of summer) versus our worst (last week's storm). Look for the green line. The contrast is stark — but even through the worst of the weather, the panels kept generating a small amount of power, meaning we'll never pull entirely from the grid.
A February sunny day vs…
… an April stormy day.
Taken together, these charts show both the promise and the limits of the system. We'll check back in August to see what the darkest days of winter bring.
——————————————————
Upcoming Members’ workshops for June
Slips and Underglaze: Their Production, Use, and Applications | 13 & 14 June
“Seven Deadly Sins” 2003 by Richard Stratton.
Local potter and former WPA member, Richard Stratton, is running a 2-day workshop where he’ll share his vast experience in how to make your own underglazes, base slip and coloured slips. Application techniques will be discussed and demonstrated, and then you’ll practise these various techniques on your own wares with your own slips and underglazes.
Running Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 June from 9:30AM - 5PM, this class will be limited to 6 participants and run in the Potter-in-Residence studio for an enhanced learning environment.
This will be an intense, full-work class. Please read the required materials list carefully.
—
Refining the Basics | Starts 2 June
James Dickman will be teaching the next round of “Refining the Basics.”
The last series filled up quickly, so we’re running this class again, this time with James Dickman.
This course is perfect for wheel newbies who have done a beginners course and are looking to hone their skills! The series starts 2 June and runs for four consecutive Tuesdays from 6-8PM.
—
Tealight Candle Houses | 20 & 21 June
Same template, radically different styles.
Our handbuilding GOAT will share the basics of handbuilding while guiding you through the construction of a tealight candle house (or two). Solidify the basics of handbuilding while creating tiny dwellings over the Winter Solstice. Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 June, 9AM - 4PM.
—
Kiln Biscuit Making Workshop | 12 June
A kiln biscuit making workshop is coming on 12 June. Details to come, so keep an eye on the usual channels. Learn how to make a quality kiln biscuit and earn some plusONE volunteer hours while you're at it.
——————————————————
Snag some WPA schwag!
A small stash of WPA branded shirts and an apron was uncovered in the library. We have three women's cut shirts, one men's shirt, and one apron up for grabs. Show your studio pride and get in quick. Head to the Clay Shop (through HelloClub so remember you’ll have to sign in) for sizing and details. These won’t be reprinted, so once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Welcome New Members!
| Angels S. | Ashleigh B. | Chuan L. | Gabrielle B. | Hannah D. | MacKenzie G. | Maia F. | Meghan E. | Rosie L. | Tara B. |
| Angels S. | Ashleigh B. | Chuan L. | Gabrielle B. | Hannah D. | MacKenzie G. | Maia F. | Meghan E. | Rosie L. | Tara B. |
DID YOU KNOW…?
What is in our library?
Our library has (almost) everything!
As seen in the gallery this month (below), the library has just had a full redisplay of the ceramics collection. But that's not all that's in there! Whether you're after technical reference, fresh inspiration, or just something to browse, there are almost 350 books and hundreds of magazines (some going back to the 1960s) available for reference. The photocopier is on hand if you want to take anything home with you.
But did you know the library also holds a collection of historic videos? From the comfort of your own home, browse classes with tutors such as Beryl Buchanan, Peter Beard, and Chris Weaver, or explore biographical material on Len Castle, Mirek Smíšek, and others — all available through the online catalogue.
Scan the QR code in the library or click here to explore the full collection, including ceramics, books, magazines, and videos.
Member’s Gallery: Library Collection Re-jig
Three-plus days of work (and still going)!
A HUGE thanks to Coral Dolan for her work redisplaying the ceramics collection. Over three days, she and Heather B. dismantled, cleaned, and relaid the entire library collection — including getting all the work that had been sitting on the floor and under tables up on proper display.
The pottery collection is still to be re-labelled, but in the meantime the QR code (on the library door) or the physical catalogues (just inside the library entrance) will point you in the right direction. Come in and take a look!
Click the images below to see full Libib listings about the work.
Suggestion Box
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).
-
Yes. Cake Club will buy specific storage containers so that they can continue to leave food for everyone but have it be tidy and secured from rodents/ants. Admin has already made a couple of tent cards to remind post-club snackers to clean up the containers if they ate the last piece, and they are working well.
-
Yes! We’ll get one on the books. Look for the announcement through the usual channels.
-
We will look into it!
PSAs from the Club Admin
CEC Term 2 starts Monday 4 May
A reminder that Term 2 starts on Monday. You’ll start seeing CEC students around the studio during the regularly scheduled classes. Questions on when they’ll be there? Check out the calendar in HelloClub.
——————————————————
Seafoam … Wrawrow
Something strange is happening with our ‘Seafoam’ glaze. We've made two batches and they have both come out….not as the Seafoam we know and love. So until we can figure out what the issue is, there will be no Seafoam - apologies!
——————————————————
Rubbish and Recycling: working out the kinks
Admin has added a sticky note to the Monday and Tuesday sign-in sheets as a prompt to get the job done. When you sign in, check for the note — if it's still there, it hasn't been done yet, and that's your cue to step up!
Once you've taken care of it, jot your name or initials on the note and drop it in the suggestion box.
A few helpful tips: recycling goes across the street to the power pole, and the rubbish bin goes out to the corner of the substation — the key is just inside the kiln room door (a hook is coming soon to make grabbing it easier). And don't forget: bringing the bin back in after collection is another easy plusONE!
With an average of 15–25 people through the studio on those days (including Cake Club), rubbish and recycling should be very easy tasks to share around.
——————————————————
Clay Table Pickups
The clay table has gotten VERY crowded lately, so we're introducing a few simple rules to keep things moving.
Any clay order not collected within 7 days of being supplied will be moved off-site for a further 14 days. To retrieve it after that first week, email Admin with your intended pickup date and we'll get it back on the table for you. Any clay left uncollected after the 21 days will be considered abandoned and returned to WPA stocks — no refund.
Oh, and one more thing: the table is not for storing personal clay between visits!
——————————————————
Parking at WPA
A big thank you to Wellington City Council for installing three parking barriers along the building's north face. No more towbars and bumpers taking chunks out of the wall!
With winter on the way and parking demand picking up, a few reminders:
Grant Road carpark (lower carpark): Pull as far forward toward the road end of the concrete pad as possible. This keeps the hillside pathway clear for the vehicle parking behind you.
Back carpark: It is strongly recommended that you reverse in and drive out — especially useful when the lower carpark is full and it's dark. And to save the newly gravelled surface, multi-point turns are forbidden back there. Thank you!
——————————————————
New wheels and wheelheads!
Two new wheels are coming into rotation, along with six new wheelheads! Due to previous issues with drilling the holes, these will all be pinless, which means a slightly different approach to using bats. Don’t fret, however! Before the final changeover, we'll run at least one workshop (and get video together) to get everyone up to speed. Watch for demo announcements.
——————————————————
Lost sweater/jumper
Amanda C. has lost her favourite hand-knitted jumper and is wondering if anyone in the rooms has seen it. Please keep a look out for a jumper without an owner (and/or go check out the photo on the Members’ FB page) and let Admin know if found.
——————————————————
Ngā mihi nui!
Roasted Salad for May
Although this recipe calls for specific veggies, raid the fridge! Use any mix of root vegetables including celeriac, turnip, parsnip, swede, yam, carrot, kumara, squash, pumpkin, potato, etc. will do the trick.
Photo and recipe courtesy vegetables.co.nz
-
INGREDIENTS
• 300g pumpkin
• 1 medium-sized kumara
• 1 carrot
• 1 parsnip
• 1 red onion
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
• 2 cloves garlic – wrapped in a little foilFor the Dressing:
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• ¼ cup fresh orange juice
• 1 tsp runny honey
• 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemaryDIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 190°C (fan assisted). Peel and cut pumpkin, kumara, carrots and parsnip into 2cm chunks. You should have approximately 750g of prepared vegetables. Cut the red onion into small wedges. Place all the vegetables into a mixing bowl.
Whisk together oil and rosemary and toss through the vegetables. Season with a little salt and pepper. Transfer vegetables, placing them in a single layer on a low sided baking tray lined with baking paper. Place the foil wrapped garlic on the baking tray. Roast for 35-40 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Allow to cool for 10 minutes
While the vegetables are cooling, prepare the dressing. Put olive oil, orange juice, honey and rosemary into a small bowl. Squeeze in the roasted garlic flesh. Whisk ingredients together.
While still warm, transfer the roasted vegetables to a bowl. Pour over dressing and gently mix to coat the vegetables. Allow vegetables to cool to room temperature before serving to allow the dressing flavours to be absorbed into the vegetables
ENJOY!
May WPA Classes & Events
Working Bee - Studio
Sunday 3 May | 9AM - 1PM
A few times each season, members come together to give the studio some extra care — tackling repairs, deep cleaning, and small projects that keep everything running smoothly. It's one of the easiest ways to contribute to the club, and a great option for new or time-poor members looking for a straightforward volunteer opportunity.
Can't make it on the day? A list of tasks that can be completed ahead of time will be on the whiteboard.
Note that studio rooms will not be available for personal projects during the Working Bee.
——————————————————
Friends and Family Night
Friday, 15 May | 5 - 9PM
Come Join Us for Our Fun Friends and Family Evening!
This is your chance to bring ONE friend or family member and dive into the world of ceramics and pottery! Hosted by Christine Winbush, you and your guest get to explore your creative sides while having fun together. You’ll need to bring your own clay, keep an eye on your person, and make sure everything is tidied up before you leave. Snacks and drinks are welcome, so feel free to bring along something to enjoy while you work on your masterpieces.
If you're planning to work on the wheel, please share it with your person so everyone has space to join in the fun!
Friends & Family WILL fill up quickly, so if you get shut out be sure to sign up as “interested!” Spots often open up at the last minute, and the “interested” list becomes our notification list when spaces become available — stay flexible and you might get lucky!
If you’re already booked and your plans change, please cancel as soon as possible so another member can take your spot.
——————————————————
Handbuilt Gremlins w/Peter Rumble | 1-Day Workshop
Saturday 23 May | 9AM – 4PM
Spend a day exploring character-driven ceramics in this hands-on workshop led by experienced tutor Peter Rumble. Using a combination of moulds and traditional hand-building techniques, you’ll create your own expressive gremlin sculpture from scratch.
Designed to be accessible for all skill levels, this workshop requires no prior experience. Peter will guide you step-by-step through the process, demonstrating essential techniques while encouraging creative freedom and personal expression.
Community News & Events
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 23 May.
