Expressions of Interest are Now Open for Nelson Clay Week 2026 (October 3rd – 9th 2026)

Last week we sat down for a yarn with Jamie Smith, co-owner at Kiln Studio (Nelson) and co-creator of Nelson Clay Week.

For the next 6 weeks, from 1st November thru December 15th the call for “Expressions of Interest” for Nelson Clay Week 2026 is open on the Clay Week website: clayweek.co.nz

Use the homepage that’s run by Arts Council Nelson to navigate on communications for Clay Week 2026, sign up for the newsletter to stay in the loop or follow the link and apply to present, host, or participate.

Jamie said himself, Thom Baker, and Arts Council Nelson want the 2026 Nelson Clay Week to be the biggest yet. A biennial event celebrating NZ Ceramics and ceramics in general it’s a chance for us in Nelson/Tasman/Marlborough to put our names forward and think about how we can help Jamie & Thom deliver – maybe you’ve got accommodation for North Island or international guests. Maybe you’ve got a story to tell about ceramics – perhaps you’re a sculptor and you’d like to teach a few of your skills to other enthusiastic potters. It’s up to you to think and apply, applications close 15th December 2025.

Mac’s Mud Returns to Tasman

Hayley Barnett and Tyler Cederman are two years into a clay processing journey that keeps growing and growing.

Old news by now across NZ but the owners of Potters’ Clay Nelson are the new owners of Mac’s Mud Clay Company, moving full manufacturing equipment and operations from the Waikato to their Annesbrook (Nelson) factory.

Mac’s Mud, originally created by Royce McGlashen in Brightwater in the 1990s, has always been one of NZ’s largest and best loved producers of clay for ceramics. Hayley and Tyler have big plans for their clay brands, but for now they are busy perfecting existing recipes and improving some with local resources.

The MB2 (Mac’s Buff Mk2) that was the first Barnett-Cederman Mac’s Mud blend to have a Nelsonian spin put on it has been well received across the country, as the MB2 offers a slightly lower vitrification point than the old recipe from Waikato allowing studio and community potters to get great results from cone 6 firings – while retaining its integrity at higher temperatures, a crowd favourite in Cone 10 and up gas and wood kilns.

Keep an eye out for a wider update from the two behind NZ’s clay in 2026.

Outstanding Personal Collection of New Zealand Pottery Open to Public in Richmond, Tasman NZ

Local Potter Alex Jamieson and her husband Bill Proctor have an obvious love and passion for pottery, especially NZ ceramics.

About 5 years ago they started collecting in a serious way, mostly NZ made from the 1950s thru 1990s. Now 5 years in the collection has gotten big enough that it needs to be shared. In a classic 1960s brick and slab that’s been beautifully refurbished Alex and Bill invite you into their home to share with you in the 1000-piece plus collection from Len Castle, Barry Brickell, Hilary Lakeman, David Huffman, and Darryl Robertson and many more.

If you know a lot about NZ ceramics you’re in for a treat – we had Jamie Smith from Kiln & Clay Week in toe during our visit of the private collection and it was amazing watching and listening to Alex and Bill discuss names and styles by era before even looking at the marks on the pots.

The local paper did a write up too: newspaper article

People who would like to visit the gallery need to contact Alex and Bill, you can reach them here:

Alex Jamieson Ceramics Instagram

Alex Jamieson Ceramics Facebook

Bill’s number: 0272040754

Alex’s number: 0212146766

*bookings are by appointment only