As a fulltime potter for many years, it had always been a dream of mine to open a teaching studio. My vision was to be able to have a studio that would be accessible and available to all potters, no matter what their level of interest.

Finally, together with my husband David and the support of our family, we opened our doors in July 2019. We found the perfect building and set to work, figuring out as we went along how everything would be laid out. David is the quintessential do-it-yourself Kiwi, and he set about figuring out what we needed, and how to build it. Lots of late nights, our children helping us paint the floors, our friends bringing over meals, we opened and released our first set of classes. They all sold!

We started with one wheel throwing classroom, a hand building classroom, and a dedicated Members area, so that our students could join up as members and practise their new skills, much like a pottery gym. Our members area built up over time despite the lockdowns.

In February 2021 we took another leap and leased the building next door to The Clay Centre, to develop a purpose-built, fulltime Member’s area. David again built everything that needed building and fitted out the new Members area to give our members more space, and to accommodate the growing interest in pottery.

Moving our members to the building next door meant that we could open a second wheel throwing classroom. This has proved instrumental in developing the skills of our students. We now have a dedicated beginners classroom, and a second classroom for advancing through our levels, right up to an intermediate level.

The last piece of the puzzle was to open our gallery at the front of the members area building. Our vision: to showcase NZ makers from all disciplines, and to introduce their wonderful work to all the students that come through our doors. We opened ‘Makers Gallery’ in August 2021, just 4 days before the longest lockdown descended on New Zealand. We made it through the lockdown with the support of these incredible makers willing to work towards virtual exhibitions, and to see us through to the re-opening of New Zealand in December 2021. Makers Gallery will continue to grow, and we have a wonderful line-up of exhibitions and shows planned for the future.

We have introduced thousands of people to the wonderful world of pottery, of creating something from the earth, which in turn enriches the lives of these new makers. We are so looking forward to continuing this journey with everyone!