The Gisborne Pottery Group received Creative Communities funding for Whenua to Fire , a project exploring indigenous making and firing techniques. The grant primarily covered tutor fees for our renowned and much-loved clay master, Baye Riddell, while the Korean Beach Firing workshop also included learning, making, firing, clay, and kai. On the day, perfect weather allowed for an early beach start at 9.30am. A small fire was built to heat the sand and pots arranged around it.

Morgane is a truly valued member of the club and very deserving of Potter of the Month. She is always happy to lend a hand behind the scenes, quietly managing our reclaimed clay supply and ensuring material is ready for everyone to use. She is well known for her adorable tiny creations, which began as a growing army of bunnies and have expanded into a range of charming creatures that bring joy around the club. Originally from France and often found sailing on the local waka,

With over 35 years of experience, John Gisborne is a passionate potter whose sought-after creations are admired in Aotearoa and worldwide. He honed his skills working with industry greats like Allan Vickers in Mt Maunganui and Barry Brickell in Coromandel, and further developed his craft during a two-year stint at Glasgow Ceramics in Scotland. John is also a valued teacher, generously sharing his extensive knowledge. Not your typical wheel workshop John demonstrated different

Ollie Clark – our first Potter of the Month for 2026