A good friend commented recently that ‘Ceramics is having a moment‘.
I thought I had better get a handle on what that means and check in on what is available when you start looking.
Pottery classes and courses at Auckland Studio Potters (ASP) are always full, as are those at The Clay Centre.
Other studios and classes are nearby and always busy. Discussing this with the managers of both centres – ASP often as a waitlist for classes, and The Clay Centre always fills up its classes as soon as they are released. Having visited both on the same day, both were an absolute hive of activity.
ASP has been around for a long time now, since 1961 in fact. It is located out in the Onehunga industrial area of Auckland, backing onto Waikaraka Park.
It has that quaint and homestead like feel in its surroundings, with a number of kilns and studios, and a history of resident potters, there is a real sense of history here.
The Clay Centre opened in 2019 in Mt Wellington, and is very much a family affair. From an initial building now encompasses a members area and gallery.
Nearby is Mud Studios. A contemporary ‘boundary pushing’ ceramics collective.
Currently The Portage exhibition (November to March) is on at Te Uru Gallery which provides a great selection of works from makers across the country. A lovely gallery and a destination all on its own.
Indigenous artists using Uku (clay), such as Raukura Turei has just finished at Season Aotearoa, and Stevei Houkamau also just concluded at Masterworks. Community Gallery Studio One Toi Tu currently has three small exhibitions all featuring ceramics.
At Anna Miles Gallery you can always find work by Peter Hawkesby and Richard Stratton.
Backdoor Gallery in Parnell recently sold out its exhibition by Peter Collis.
In Ponsonby Public Record has a range of local and international ceramic artists.
Objectspace had a full day clay symposium in 2024 and many other events focusing on ceramics. Exhibitions include the recent show with Sung Hwan Bobby Park and included ceramics in its How to make a home, and before that an entire exhibition dedicated to Chris Weaver.
Waiheke Island has a number of resident potters some of which can be visited. If you make it out to Aotea Great Barrier Island you can stop by Shoal Bay Pottery on the islands arts trail.
Potters proliferate across the Auckland region – for instance north in Matakana you can find Liz Sharek and Brendan Adams, and down south Margaret Bray and Jo Raill and son Aidan at Half Pint Pottery.
Driving Creek, the famous home and railway of Barry Brickell is around 2.5 hours from Auckland in Coromandel.
Further south, The Dowse in Wellington currently has Whenua Whatu: Maori Ceramics from The Dowse Collection
And there is so much more! It does seem there is a potter in every corner of our country.
For more local studios across the country check out the directory at Ceramics NZ
Ask how you can incorporate makers and galleries into your time in Auckland and Aotearoa.
