October 2026 Newsletter
Club Notes and Updates
The Karori Brownies holding up their favourite piece from their session at WPA.
Karori Brownies thank you! (And a mezzanine update.)
A big thank you to our members for graciously sharing the studio with 25 very enthusiastic Brownies recently. Vera Burton's group had a wonderful time hand-building their pieces. They were SO excited when they received their finished pottery at Brownies this week. When asked to hold up their favourite pieces for a photo, the variety of selection was impressive. As their intrepid leader put it: "There were some very happy Brownies on Thursday evening."
We loved having them—and now that the mezzanine is finished, future visits like this can be held upstairs, meaning much less disruption to members working in the main studio!
And without further ado: the Mezzanine is open!
Following the wrap-up of the Potter-in-Residence programme, the Committee decided to convert the mezzanine into an open-plan teaching and workspace—delivering greater benefits to all club members.
The space has been transformed by a busy team of volunteers led by Martin Henty. New vinyl flooring, fresh paint, and new furniture make it a bright and functional space. We’ll have some tweaks as we learn to use the space, but it’s ready to go! A huge thank you to everyone who put in the hours to make it happen.
The mezzanine will serve as a dedicated teaching space for hand-building, sculpture, surface decoration, and more—and when not in use for classes, it will be open as additional workspace for members.
Mezzanine hireable workspaces
Six workspaces are available for hire at $60 per month. For expressions of interest or any questions, email wellingtonpotters.cubbies@gmail.com.
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Membership renewals
You should have seen an option to renew your membership by now.
Our membership year ended yesterday, 30 September, so you should have already received an email from HelloClub giving you the opportunity to renew or stop your membership. Thank you to so many of you that have already responded and paid!
A reminder that we don’t offer part-year memberships so if you’re going to be away for a number of months, it is probably better to retain your existing membership than risk your place going to one of our HUGE waitlist of potential new members (200 people at last count).
If you no longer come to our rooms or use our facilities but want to retain your association with the club, you may wish to move to an Associate membership. As an Associate member, you will have your own studio and kiln as you DO NOT get access to our rooms, kilns, firings or glazes. This membership does however allow you to submit your work to our Ceramicus exhibition, participate in any anagama or raku firings, use our library, and join in social events. You are also eligible to join our WPA courses and workshops if places are unfilled by club members. The fee is $80 per year.
If you haven’t seen any renewal notices, check your spam folder and if you still can’t find an email, or have any other questions, contact Ingrid at wellingtonpotters.membership@gmail.com.
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Rick Rudd workshop & two new acquisitions
Last month we were pleased to welcome Rick Rudd to WPA!
We kicked things off with a potluck meal and presentation from Rick. It was great to see Rick’s journey as a ceramicist and the evolution of his style. Thank you to all attendees for your donations—we raised $455 that has gone directly to the Quartz Museum.
Rick Rudd’s workshop and participants with their work.
This was followed by a fantastic 2-day teapot workshop with Rick Rudd, attended by members from WPA and Ōtaki Pottery Club. Participants honed their handbuilding skills while attempting to recreate one of Rick’s ‘007’ teapots. The highlight of the workshop for many participants was observing Rick working with clay and the demonstration of pinching a cube from one piece of clay!
Rick brought some of his work down with him and the Club acquired a new piece for our collection—one of his iconic 001 teapots. We also acquired a bisqued version of his “sphere box” of his. All three pieces can be found in the library.
Our new Rick Rudd teapot awaiting it’s final placement in the library.
The new bisqued piece next to it’s mate already in the collection.
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Final workshops for 2026!
Glazing Basics | October and November Sessions
Wednesday 21 October or Wednesday 25 November, 6:00 - 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.
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Refining the Basics on the Wheel | 4-Part Course
Wednesdays starting 4 November, 6:00 - 8:00PM
Finished a beginners’ class and joined WPA but still feel wobbly on the wheel? This course is designed to help you consolidate the fundamentals and build confidence through repetition and guided practice.
Over four sessions, Ingrid Peek will revisit core wheel-throwing skills while introducing alternative approaches to centring, pulling walls, and trimming. Each session begins with a short refresher demo, followed by plenty of supported practice time and targeted, individual feedback to help you work through specific sticking points.
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Handbuilding Large Organic Vessels | Weekend Workshop
Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 November, 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Ever wanted to go big(ger)? In this two-day workshop, Paola Nigris will guide you through building a large, organic shaped vessel using a range of hand-building techniques. The course takes a sculptural approach, exploring concepts of form, texture, balance, and proportion. Students are encouraged to bring their own designs and ideas—Paola will work with you to help realise them. You'll learn slab building, coiling, and mould pressing, as well as how to make your own paper clay slip for strong joints and crack repair. By the end of the weekend, you'll have a greenware vessel ready for the kiln.
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Save the Date(s) and spread the word!
The WPA Pop-up Market is on! While Ceramicus is taking a year off, we're making sure there's still a chance for members to get their work out into the world. The WPA Pop Up Market is back this year, taking place in the laneway running alongside the Sound Shell in the Wellington Botanic Garden (off Glenmore Street, Thorndon). We’re thrilled as it promises be a beautiful spot to browse and buy handmade ceramics.
With over 20 stallholders, there'll be a wide range of work on offer: functional tableware, decorative pieces, garden ceramics, and one-of-a-kind works, all made by local potters. Entry is free, and it's a great chance to support your fellow members and introduce your work to new audiences. The market runs from 10AM - 3PM and is weather dependent—rain dates are 21 and 22 November. Mark your calendars and spread the word!
DID YOU KNOW…?
What do we do with the sign-in sheets?
Sign in and help us keep accurate stats!
The sign-in sheets are more than a formality, they're one of our most useful tools for understanding how the studio is used. The data helps us track how heavily the rooms are occupied across different days and times, identify the best windows for scheduling classes and events, and get a sense of when the studio feels at capacity. Over time, the trends help us make better decisions about resources and how to keep the club running smoothly for everyone.
Of course, in the event of a genuine emergency, the sign-in record also gives us a way to account for who was in the building and follow up with members if necessary.
Help us out! Be sure to sign in/out when at the club and please don't use old sign-in sheets as scrap paper. When sheets go missing or get repurposed as scrap, that data is gone for good. It's a small thing, but it makes a real difference to the people working behind the scenes to keep their fingers on the pulse of the club. Ngā mihi!
Member’s Gallery: An Aerial View of WPA
A look back through the years
Member Iain A. found these aerial images of the studio’s landscape through the years and found them interesting. Check out how the area (and bush) has changed!
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.
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 the last Committee meeting (click the “+” to expand).
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We’ll be sure our new Education portfolio holder notes your requests!
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We will take a look to see if signage would help. However, consider this your collective notice to clean the extruder after you’ve used it.
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Yes! And keeping the members’ clay recycling area tighter will help, too. We’re working on it.
PSAs from the Club Admin
Brief announcements from your trusty Admin. Questions? Email them at wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
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We have a Ceramicus Convenor!
Marieke P. has put her hand up to be the 2027 Ceramicus Covenor, but she needs help. Please email Admin if you would like to be on the support crew for next year’s event and I’ll put you in touch.
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Kate Ford memorial bench
Kate Ford's neighbours are looking at dedicating a wooden bench seat on the top of Te Ahumairaingi Hill public walkway just above her old house at Salisbury Garden Court. Anyone wishing to contribute please contact Ahmed (+64274870216) or Humphrey (+64275700736).
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FOUND: Earring on Kiln Room floor
Have you lost an earring? If so, email Admin with a description to reclaim!
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FOUND: Cobcraft trimming tool
Have you lost a Cobcraft trimming tool? If so, email Admin with a description of the markings on it to reclaim.
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Still a few Anagama pots to collect from the studio
Do you still have a piece (or two) to collect from Anagama? The remaining uncollected work is here at the studio taking up precious working space. If it is not reclaimed by 7 October it will go out on the “Roof of Rejection” for the public to enjoy.
If you can’t collect your work by then, email Admin to make other arrangements.
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Ngā mihi nui!
The BEST Mac and Cheese for October
Learn a French “mother sauce” (béchamel) while making the BEST mac and cheese
This recipe takes a little more effort than a boxed mac and cheese of course, but it is 100% worth it if you have the time and energy.
Recipe blended by Heather B. from several sources. Photos from across the internet.
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1. PREP YOUR PASTA
• ½ pound dried elbow macaroni (or pasta shape of your choice)
• SaltBring a large pot of water to a boil, then add pasta; salt generously and cook pasta to manufacturer’s instructions. Transfer to a colander, rinse under cold running water so it doesn’t stick together, and drain well. Set aside.
2. MAKE A BECHAMEL
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 white (or yellow) onion
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 bay leafSTEP 1: Pin your two cloves to the half onion and make a slice in the onion to hold the bayleaf (called a “studded onion”). In a non-stick saucepan add your studded onion to the milk and bring to a simmer (do not boil), then keep warm.
STEP 2: In a separate heavy saucepan, melt your butter over a medium heat. Once all the butter has melted, stir in the flour and keep stirring so the mixture (called a “roux”) cooks but does not brown (this takes about 5 minutes).
STEP 3: Gradually stir in the hot milk a little at a time making sure to stir the mixture well to allow the milk to be absorbed into the roux before adding more. Keep stirring and make sure your spoon is touching the bottom to prevent the sauce from burning.
STEP 4: Once all the milk is added and the sauce is smooth, turn the heat down further, cover and cook for a further 10 minutes.
3. TURN THE BECHAMEL INTO A MORNAY BY ADDING:
• ½ cup finely grated Italian fontina cheese*
• ⅔ cup finely grated Gruyere cheese*
• 1 ⅔ cups finely grated extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese*
• ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese*
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
• ⅛ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
• Pinch of (white) pepper*Or you can go full-on American style here and use similar amounts of orange (colour) Cheddar and whatever other cheese you have in your fridge.
Add the fontina, Gruyere, Cheddar, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses to your béchamel, stirring until completely melted and sauce is again smooth. Season with salt and black pepper, add cayenne and nutmeg, and stir to combine.
3. PUT IT TOGETHER!
Add pasta to sauce and stir to thoroughly combine. Serve immediately.
Enjoy!
October WPA Classes & Events
Bring Your Child/ren
Friday 2 October | 9:30AM - 12:30PM
Need something to do with the kiddos this week?
The club rooms will be open for 3 hours during the school holidays for you to bring your tamaiti/tamariki along to play with clay. No tutors are provided by WPA though so you are to be responsible for your child's behaviour and safety while in the rooms.
You must provide all materials and fully supervise their activities, cleaning up thoroughly at the end of the session. Finished art may be fired at WPA—for this event only.
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Friends and Family Friday
Friday 16 October | 5 - 9PM
Friends & Family still has space available for October! If it fills by the time you see this, know that spots often open up at the last minute, so sign yourself up on the “waitlist” and stay flexible. The first three on the waitlist often can sub in!
If you’re already booked and your plans change, please cancel as soon as possible so another member can take your spot.
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Developing Wheel Skills w/ Lyuba Zhilkina (4-Week Course)
Tuesdays starting 20 October | 6:00 - 8:00PM
Want to work on your throwing skills?
This four-part evening course is designed for wheel throwers looking to develop their skills and deepen their understanding of form. Through a mix of demonstration, experimentation, and one-on-one feedback, tutor Lyuba Zhilkina will guide you through concepts like proportion and balance, how to apply decoration, and how to develop your eye for design. The course focuses on pouring forms as a vehicle for exploring these ideas.
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Glazing Basics w/ Bella Florence
Wednesday 21 October | 6:00 - 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 decoration if time allows. It does not include spray booth glazing. Class size is limited to six participants.
Community News & Events
NZ Bonsai Expo 2026 | Lower Hutt Events Centre, October 9 – 11, 2026
Click image for details.
Have some content for the newsletter? Email it to wellingtonpotters.info@gmail.com.
The deadline for the next newsletter is 22 October.
