Taradale Pottery Club

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Taradale Pottery Club

Taradale Pottery Club is a group of keen potters who work out of the Waiohiki Creative Arts Village. Our workshop is fully equipped - come and have a look!

The Group started life as the Taradale Pottery Group back in March 1966 at the rear of the BNZ in Taradale. In September of the same year they moved to an old house in Puketapu Rd where Mrs Hillary Thurston and Bob Huck conducted the first lessons. It wasn‟t until 1972 that the potters moved to a new clubrooms in the old Council Chambers in Lee Rd. In October 1980 they were on the move again estab

lishing themselves in the old “St Mary‟s” Catholic church in Meeanee Rd. There a lively group gathered and many exhibitions and workshops were held, with numerous visiting tutors such as Len Castle, Mirek Smizek, and John Parker. Local potters such as Chloe King, Bruce Martin and Penny Madden and others have also been enthusiastic about sharing their skills with us. The Groups‟ sales days on public holiday weekends in the 1970‟s and 1980‟s attracted large crowds and are still talked about today. Some potters from the Group also worked at Para Matchitt‟s and Jacob Scott‟s „stables‟ complex on Otatara at the back of the Eastern Institute of Technology. Here these potters built and operated several excellent kilns. In 2001 the old St Mary‟s Church was sold and the Group moved to a large space at the former Waiohiki Dairy Factory. Picture 540Group members created a gallery and sales space as well as a functional work area. In 2005 it was decided to build a substantial wood fire kiln. John Gisborne and Hooly Thin designed and built the kiln with the help of other Group members. Advice was sourced from Mike O‟Donnell, Barry Brickell and other kiln builders. Bricks, shelves and props were donated by Group members and, after an appropriate tapu lifting ceremony, material was also taken from the Otatara stables complex when it was demolished. A committee has been established to run the kiln and has since been fired on a regular basis. Taradale Pottery Group runs night classes and holds workshops throughout the year

27/05/2026

Join us in our Foundations of Pottery – 8 Week Beginner Wheel Course

Wednesdays | 6pm–8pm
29 July – 16 September 2026

An 8-week beginner-friendly wheel throwing course with tutor Erika Reid. Learn centering, shaping, trimming, glazing & finishing in a supportive studio environment. ✨

Clay, glazing & firing included, with extra clay available to purchase.

Perfect way for complete beginners to start their pottery journey🤍

Head to our website, or email us for more info

Email: [email protected]

22/04/2026

Our Term 2 classes are now open for booking, including our ever-popular Monday Intermediate Wheel class.

Last term they got to explore the magic of Raku firing, something we offer as an option each term to our Intermediate classes.

Our classes are a fantastic way to really elevate and refine your skills as a potter - head to our website and book your spot today!

17/04/2026

WEEKEND WORKSHOP - Grab the last spot before its gone!

🌀 Tunnels, Twists & Turns with Jill Kennett
Join Jill Kennett for a full weekend handbuilding workshop at Taradale Pottery Club! Using the flattened coil technique, you’ll build a striking 40cm ceramic form where negative space is just as important as the clay itself.

Expect creative challenges, beautiful results, and a weekend well spent.

📅 Full weekend - 18th and 19th April | 📍 Taradale Pottery Club

Send us an email or head to our website to register
https://www.taradalepotteryclub.com/.../tunnels-twists...

12/04/2026

In preparation for the potentially wild weather - we have raised our wheels off the floor incase of flooding.

Apologies if anyone had plans for pottery today but we'd rather everyone stayed home and stayed safe! Take care out there today ⛈️

26/03/2026

A few spots left for this weekend's workshop - make sure you head to our website and secure your place today!

Teapot Workshop with Penny Madden

Join renowned ceramic artist Penny Madden for a hands-on two-day workshop where you’ll design and construct your very own teapot.

Over the weekend, Penny will guide participants through the process of creating the key components of a teapot and assembling them into a finished form. This workshop is ideal for potters looking to extend their wheel-throwing skills into more complex functional pieces.

Dates: Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 March
Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm (both days)
Cost: $240 per person
Materials: You will need to bring your own clay. There will be clay available at the club for purchase.

Experience level: Previous experience in wheel throwing is essential. Participants should be confident throwing a cylinder, as this will form the basis for the teapot components.

23/03/2026

WEEKEND WORKSHOP

🌀 Tunnels, Twists & Turns with Jill Kennett

Join Jill Kennett for a full weekend handbuilding workshop at Taradale Pottery Club! Using the flattened coil technique, you’ll build a striking 40cm ceramic form where negative space is just as important as the clay itself.

Expect creative challenges, beautiful results, and a weekend well spent.

📅 Full weekend - 18th and 19th April | 📍 Taradale Pottery Club
Limited spots — head to our website to register

https://www.taradalepotteryclub.com/shop2/p/tunnels-twists-and-turns-with-jill-kennett

18/03/2026

Taradale Pottery Club has something special lined up this weekend ✨

We are hosting two advanced decorating workshops with the incredibly talented Penny Madden. She is an inspiring tutor known for her skill, creativity, and ability to bring out the best in every artist.

Whether you’re looking to deepen your technique or explore new decorative styles, these sessions are a beautiful opportunity to learn, experiment, and grow as a potter.

You’re welcome to book in for one day, or immerse yourself fully and join us for both (with a discount available if you take part in the full weekend - please send us an email to secure this)

Spaces are very limited, so be sure to head to our website for all the details and to secure your spot asap!!

10/03/2026

Our Term One pottery classes are already in full swing!

If you’d love to join us for wheel throwing or hand building next term, flick us an email and we’ll pop you on the waitlist for Term Two.

09/02/2026

Taradale Pottery is proud to offer the Diploma in Ceramics, delivered through Otago Polytechnic. This programme is ideal for those wanting to build strong technical skills, develop their creative practice, and gain a recognised qualification in ceramics.

🌀 Programme starts: 23 February 2026
🌀 Study mode: A blend of online learning and in-studio practice
🌀 Flexible options: Available part-time to fit around work, family, and studio life

You’ll learn in a supportive, hands-on environment that encourages experimentation, critical thinking, and personal direction.

If you’re passionate about clay and looking to deepen your knowledge while staying connected to a creative community, this could be the perfect next step.

👉 Get in touch to learn more about enrolment and study options.

29/01/2026

How cute is this little pet bowl in our shop? 🤩

There are so many stunning pieces in our shop, lovingly made by our super talented members.

Make sure to come have a look next time you are in the area

Address

Waiohiki Arts Village
Napier

Website

https://www.taradalepotteryclub.com/

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