November 2025 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
From working bees to workshops, Clay Club to Raku Club, Anagama to Ceramicus, volunteers keep WPA running.
Building a Stronger Volunteering Culture at WPA
Each year, around 20% of our members formally volunteer, contributing nearly 1,000 hours to help keep the rooms running safely and smoothly. It’s an amazing effort, but it also means a small group is doing most of the heavy lifting. The Committee would like volunteering to become a regular part of everyone’s membership, so the workload — and the rewards — are shared more evenly.
WPA is a club studio, not a professional or private one. It only works when everyone contributes, not just through fees, but by giving time and energy to help maintain the spaces and systems we all rely on.
Many members already do their part in small, everyday ways — cleaning up after themselves, following the +1 policy, and leaving spaces tidy for the next person. Thank you! These habits are the foundation of good studio practice. But volunteering goes a step further: It’s about supporting the collective needs of the club and are the things that keep WPA running for everyone.
The Committee has been thinking about what volunteering ideally looks like and how to encourage more people to get involved. Even taking a moment to reflect on how (or how much) you contribute is a valuable first step. Understanding what gets in the way of volunteering is just as important as the act itself.
To that end, a short member survey on volunteering will go out in November’s MMCU (Mid-Month Catch-Up email). It will help us understand what’s working, what’s not, and how we can build a stronger, more sustainable culture of contribution.
We’d like to hear from everyone — especially if you haven’t been formally volunteering. Your perspective helps us see what makes it easier (or harder) for members to participate, and how we can make volunteering feel more achievable and rewarding for all.
Here are a few questions to consider:
• How much do you currently volunteer? And if so, what kinds of tasks do you take on?
• What motivates (or discourages) you from volunteering?
• Do you feel you’re contributing fairly to the running of the club?
• If you’re one of the regular volunteers, how would you like your contribution recognized?
Keep your eyes peeled for the survey in the MMCU. In the meantime, the next Working Bee (23 November) is a great chance to get involved. Hope to see you there!
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2025 Witgert Clay Order
You can’t order directly from Witgert, but you can check out the clays we want to order in bulk.
WPA members interested in purchasing Witgert clay are invited to download complete the Expression of Interest form linked here by 5PM FRIDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2025. Every response matters — the order can only go ahead if we meet the minimum required volumes.
Witgert offers an exceptional range of raw materials, blending clays to exacting standards. With over 300 years of experience, their products are renowned for consistency and quality. Thanks to the efforts of member Tim Hawley’s importing company, co-ordinator Peter Rumble, and the WPA Committee, we’ve proudly supplied Witgert clays to members for the past ten years.
Ongoing logistical challenges, shipping uncertainties, and rising costs mean this service is increasingly difficult to maintain. A strong response from members will help secure future shipments.
Order details:
• We must order a minimum of 30 bags per clay type to go ahead.
• Only the most popular clays from previous years, plus two new types, are being offered this time
• Once total volumes are confirmed, invoices will be emailed, with full payment due within 7 days
• WPA will hold all funds until the shipment arrives, which could take up to 6 months
Email your completed form to admin at wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com or drop it off your printed copy on the library desk in the rooms by 5PM FRIDAY, 14 NOVEMBER 2025.
Questions about clay types: Peter – sales@rumbles.co.nz
Administrative enquiries: Heather – wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com
Note: This offer is open to WPA members only.
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Glaze Room Incident
A recent incident in the glaze room has highlighted a significant breach of studio standards. Sometime between the evening of Monday 27 October and 8:15 a.m. Tuesday 28 October, glaze buckets were left pulled out from under the table, and up to half a litre of Tenmoku was left spilled on the floor.
Buckets being left out is annoying on its own, but combined with the uncleaned spill, it becomes a much more concerning issue. Some evidence also suggests there may have been an attempt to siphon off glaze for personal use — a clear breach of trust and effectively an act of theft.
The Committee has previously discussed installing CCTV for a variety of reasons, one being the ability to monitor the rooms. While we do not want to introduce surveillance in our studio, we also do not want to be forced into it by repeated breaches of trust. We remain hopeful that members will act responsibly and uphold the standards of care expected in our shared space.
To maintain this environment, anyone with information about the spill or possible siphoning is asked to speak with a Committee member or contact our administrator at wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
Welcome New Members!
Abigail M | Amber C | Annabelle B | Anneke A | Alexandra M | Carmel R | Greta S | Helena dK | Heather H | Jana H | Julie S | Kaia C | Mandy L | Nic W | Paige S | Rebecca B | Roland W | Sophie C | Stephanie C | Zarife C |
Abigail M | Amber C | Annabelle B | Anneke A | Alexandra M | Carmel R | Greta S | Helena dK | Heather H | Jana H | Julie S | Kaia C | Mandy L | Nic W | Paige S | Rebecca B | Roland W | Sophie C | Stephanie C | Zarife C |
DID YOU KNOW…?
The kiln room annual shutdown
The kiln room closes from mid-December through mid-January for an annual deep clean. Plan your gifts accordingly!
The kiln room will be closed over the Christmas/New Year holidays for a thorough clean and maintenance. All pieces will need to be removed from the shelves before the end-of-year break.
Yes, the kiln room gets a regular cleaning with Bella on board, but to reach the back of the shelves, behind the kilns, and carry out essential maintenance, a complete shutdown is necessary.
Details of the final and first club firing dates will be shared in the November MMCU, but we’re looking at 15 December for the last club firings for the year.
Watch for volunteer opportunities in early January to help get the kiln room ready for 2026!
Member’s Gallery: Meet Your Committee
Hover over the image to learn more about each member.
Ngā mihi nui to the resigning members of last year’s committee: Paige Jarman and Lauren Cleary.
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 September’s meeting (click the “+” to expand).
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Yes! Our new Education Portfolio holder is on it.
PSAs from the Club Admin
New Door Code in Effect
The new door code was emailed on Friday 24 October and came into effect on Monday 27 October. A reminder email was sent on Tuesday 28 October. If you haven’t received it, please check your spam folder!
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Reminder: Bat Etiquette
Please don’t leave clay on the plaster bats under the window overnight. These bats are for day-use and re-wedging soft clay only, overnight drying should happen on the bats at the end of Stack B.
Use appropriately sized throwing bats for your pots (little pot = little bat; big pot = big bat). Once your piece is dry, move it to a board or non-throwing bat.
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Support our Ceramicus sponsors!
A big thank you to our Ceramicus sponsors: Wellington Gardens, Friends of the Wellington Botanic Garden, Bot Pots, Karla Marie Ceramics, Kiwi Underglaze, and Nelson Pottery Supplies. Let’s be sure to show our appreciation by supporting these businesses — and letting them know in your order comments that you value their support for Ceramicus!
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Admin OOO
Your trusty Admin will be out of the studio from 21 November - 1 December for the US Thanksgiving holiday. She won’t be physically in the rooms, but will be on emails with reduced hours. While she is away, remember that if you need any slips/forms, they can be found in the orange folder next to the library desk—make extra copies for the task at hand!
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Ngā mihi!
Cake for November
This recipe is suggested by Julie Han. who made it last week and loved it. She notes that the vegan version is simple and very successful! Recipe from Anna Jones via the Guardian.
Photo from the Guardian.
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INGREDIENTS
• baking powder - 1 tsp
• bicarbonate of soda - 1½ tsp
• ground ginger - 2 tsp
• unsalted butter - 200g, or 150g coconut oil, plus extra for greasing (vegan option)
• dark brown soft sugar - 150g
• stem ginger - 5 balls (75g), finely chopped, plus 2 tbsp syrup from the jar for brushing and drizzling
• eggs - 3 medium, or 180ml sparkling water (vegan option)
• eating apples - 5-6 small
• demerara sugar - 1 tbsp, for sprinklingDIRECTIONS
Grease a deep 23cm square springform baking tin. Heat the oven to 160C fan/gas mark 4. Put all the dry ingredients, except 1 teaspoon of the ground ginger and the dark brown sugar, into a bowl. Whisk to combine.
For the non-vegan cake, melt the butter in a pan, then whisk in the dark brown sugar and chopped stem ginger. Leave to cool slightly, then beat in the eggs one by one, until emulsified. Fold through the dry ingredients and pour into the prepared cake tin.
For the vegan cake, melt the coconut oil in a pan, then whisk in the dark brown sugar and stem ginger pieces. Add the coconut oil mix to the flour mixture and whisk to combine. Now, with the whisk running, add the sparkling water and mix until the batter is smooth and light. Pour into the prepared cake tin.
Peel, halve and core the apples, then very thinly slice about two-thirds of the way down each half, leaving the last third uncut to hold the apple together. It is much like a hedgehog or a hasselback potato. Arrange the apple halves cut side up on top of the batter, brush with some of the ginger syrup, then sprinkle over the demerara sugar and the remaining teaspoon of ground ginger. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 45-50 minutes, until golden and cooked through. Test the thickest part of the cake with a skewer: if it doesn’t come out clean, put the cake back in for another 5 minutes.
Remove the cake from the oven and pour over the remaining 2 tablespoons of syrup. Cool in the tin for 10 minutes, then remove and serve. This is best eaten on the day but will keep well for up to 3 days, wrapped inside a tin.
Enjoy!
Upcoming WPA Classes & Events
Opening Night Ceramicus 2025
Tuesday 4 November | 5 - 7PM
Come join your fellow potters for opening night of Ceramicus!
All members are warmly invited to the Opening Night of Ceramicus 2025, our annual celebration of the incredible work created by Wellington Potters! Join us on Tuesday, 4 November, with doors opening from 5pm. Awards will be announced by our Guest Selector at 6pm, and the event will close at 7pm.
Enjoy delicious canapés and a cash bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available for purchase.
The Opening Night is open to all members of Wellington Potters, along with our sponsors and strategic partners. We kindly request no plus ones or guests unless you are an exhibiting member—exhibiting members may bring one guest.
To help us plan catering accurately and minimise food waste, please RSVP by signing up here.
Note: If you register before learning that you’ve been selected for Ceramicus 2025 and later become eligible to bring a guest, please email Admin at wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com to RSVP for your plus one.
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Ceramicus 2025
5 November - 15 November | 9AM - 4PM daily
Begonia House, Wellington Botanic Garden
Free and open to the public
Join us for the 67th Annual Wellington Potters’ Association Ceramicus Exhibition — a celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community in clay.
This year’s exhibition showcases an inspiring range of work from local potters, curated and judged by Guest Selector Aaron Scythe. From functional ware to sculptural pieces, each work highlights the skill and imagination of our members.
Alongside Ceramicus, don’t miss our Pop-Up Pottery Market, featuring handcrafted ceramics by WPA members — from everyday favourites to distinctive one-off pieces. It’s the perfect chance to meet makers, find a unique gift, and support your fellow artists directly.
Celebrate 67 years of ceramic excellence in Wellington — we look forward to seeing you there!
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Friends and Family
Friday 21 November | 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!
Club members can have their friend's or family member’s creations fired, but remember, you'll be responsible for payment and collection.
This event is free to attend, but please SIGN UP so we can prepare for the number of guests. We can’t wait to see you there and get creative together!
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Club Working Bee
Sunday 23 November | 9AM - 3PM
We're overdue for a Working Bee, so it's time to pitch in again!
Every season, we take one day to get the membership together to make necessary repairs / deep clean the studio. This is for the good of the membership – we'll fix stuff, make space for your new creations, and make sure the tools you need are there and in good order.
We need ALL hands on deck to get this job done, as volunteering your time and expertise is an expectation of being a Full member of WPA. When you arrive, you'll be given a task and have the opportunity to bond with fellow members while making a positive impact.
Some tasks can be completed beforehand and will be displayed on the whiteboard for those unable to attend on Sunday.
Join us for the session, and help get the club looking its best! Whether you can stay the whole time or just part of it, your contribution will make a difference. Be sure to sign up so that you get credit for your volunteer time.
Note, there is no access to rooms for personal projects during this time.
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Glazing Basics
Wednesday 26 November | 6 - 8:30PM
The perfect 1-night course for club members who aren't yet confident with glazing.
Join our Studio Technician, Bella Florence, for one evening to learn the basics of glazing at WPA.
WPA subsidises this course to give members a solid grounding in glaze fundamentals. It’s designed to help you avoid common glaze mistakes that can damage your work—or worse, the kiln and shelves.
The course covers glaze room protocol, stirring, dipping, and pouring techniques, with some layering and oxide decoration if time allows. It does not include spray booth glazing. Class size is limited to six participants.
At the time of this publication, there is only one spot yet! Grab it now, or sign yourself up as “interested” if you want to be notified of any last-minute cancellations.
Community News & Events
Kandallah Craft Market
The Kandallah Craft Market is looking for a potter (or two) to hold a regular stall at their monthly market. $35/table and their next markets are 8 November and 13 December.
Interested? Email Murry Mckenzie at khandallahcraftmarket@gmail.com for details.
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Links to other clubs’ current newsletters:
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 25 November.
