kia ora koutou

This bi-monthly update includes exhibitions, workshops, and inspiration celebrating our community of ceramists, potters, tutors, and clay enthusiasts. Look out for upcoming opportunities to exhibit and purchase claywares at Art in the Garden, Whanganui November 25-26, and this weekend 14-15th November, WPA host their annual Pop-Up Ceramics market in the Wellington Botanical Gardens by the Sound Shell.

Celebrating…

The Kapiti Arts trail 2026 brought many ceramic enthusiasts to the region, and hats off to KCDC, for a supremely well-organised event. You can read more about participating artists and the trail here https://www.kapiticoastarttrail.co.nz/

Exhibitions

Te Papa, Te Whanganui-a-Tara | Wellington | He Toi Whakairo Māori Carving | 29 Aug 2026- Aug ’31

https://www.tepapa.govt.nz/visit/exhibitions/he-toi-whakairo. He Toi Whakairo up close. From contemporary carving to traditional forms, this exhibition brings together generations of knowledge and creative expression. Level 4, Te Papa. Be sure to check out Stevei Houkāmau’s uku (clay) taonga Whakapapa.

Exhibition highlights include:

• More than 700 years of whakairo (carving), with works dating back to the 1300s.
• 147 taonga from Te Papa collection, including taonga never previously displayed publicly.
• Works carved in both traditional and contemporary materials, from wood, bone, stone, pāua, pounamu, and plant materials to uku (clay), steel, and modern solid-surface composites.
• Oldest: A pair of Rei Niho Paraoa (chevron type sperm whale tooth pendants) dated around the year 1300 making it the oldest taonga in the exhibition.
• Biggest: At 3.4 metres tall is Matthew Randall’s pou tokomanawa Ko Ruapani.
• Smallest: Uhi (tattooing chisel) 30mm x 10mm
• Newest: commissioned for the exhibition, Sam Hauwaho carved Whaka-iro in 2025.
• Heaviest: Wero Tāroi’s poupou Taporahitaua weighs 149kg.

Exhibition: Thistle Hall | Wellington | 7-15th Dec

Whanganui Potters Studio Art in the Garden | 28th – 29th Nov, 2026

Workshops – November

Duncan Shearer: Glazing Technology | Ōtaki Pottery Club Sat 28th November, 9-4pm (Fully booked!) https://store.otakipotteryclub.org/workshop-enrolments

Duncan Shearer: Engobes and Slips | Ōtaki Pottery Club Sun 29th November, 9-4pm (be quick, filling fast!) https://store.otakipotteryclub.org/workshop-enrolments

Want to Exhibit your Ceramics?

Festival of Pots Ōtaki Jan 21-25, 2027 Wellington Anniversary weekend | https://www.otakipotteryclub.org/festival-of-pots-kapiti.html

Events – November

WPA Wellington Pop- up Potters market Sat 14th & Sun 15th November | 10AM–3PM | FREE ENTRY
In the laneway running alongside the Soundshell, Wellington Botanic Garden (via the Main Gate at 101 Glenmore Street). https://www.wellingtonpotters.org.nz/pop-up-pottery-market

Residencies

Kapiti | The Kilns at Te Horo

Install image by Julia Hutchinson of Bound at Hutch with Harriet Hawksworth

During their residency, Jess will continue to work with recycled and locally gathered materials to create sculptures that connect with whakapapa and question anthropocentric and extractive relationships to whenua. They are currently making new work for Common Ground, an exhibition opening next month at Project 100 in Nelson alongside painter Sonja Walker. While at The Kilns Jess will offer a variety of workshops and they look forward to connecting with local artists. To hear about workshops, connect with The Kilns at thekilnsattehoro@gmail.com and/or follow Jess on Instagram @j___nicholson”

The Kilns at Te Horo Residencies – ‘ 27/’28

Applications close on 30 November, 2026 for residencies at The Kilns at Te Horo from April 2027 until end of March 2028.  Includes accommodation on site in a two bedroom restored heritage NZ Railway station and full studio complete with kilns, including a salt/soda brick kiln.  Visit https://www.thekilnsattehoro.co.nz/pages/resident-artist-applications  

Ngā mihi

Stephanie Nossiter | Wellington- Western region CANZ representative

e: wellingtonwestern@ceramicsnz.org