Nelson Clay Week
Share
Bringing the clay community of Aotearoa together
3 - 9 October 2026
Whakatū Nelson, NZ
Yesterday, Clay Week visitors were treated to a highly informative factory tour and introduction to production pottery with Josh and Coral of McGlashen Pottery — one of our amazing Clay Week sponsors.
The tour took guests behind the scenes at the renowned McGlashen Pottery, exploring its history from 1980 to today, the journey of Coral and Josh in carrying the business forward and the future of production pottery in New Zealand.
The gallery is open all week, and Josh and Coral will be at the factory on Friday for anyone who missed out on yesterday’s tour!
06/10/2026
3 O’Clock Raku Demonstration on today at Potters Square!
Watch as ceramics are buried in barrels and blasted to 1000°C until they are pulled from the flames, glowing red hot 🔥
Located at 1903 Square at the top of Trafalgar Street, by the Cathedral steps.
06/10/2026
Workshop Photobook | Jin Ling, Figurative Sculpting Nelson Community Potters
Day 4, Nelson Clay Week
06/10/2026
Workshop Photobook | Scott Brough, Adapting Clay Bodies NMIT
Day 4, Nelson Clay Week
DAY FOUR WRAP-UP
Tuesday 6th October | Nelson Clay Week
The day kicked off with a highly informative factory tour and introduction to production pottery with Josh and Coral of McGlashen Pottery, one of our amazing Clay Week sponsors.
Back in town at Nelson Community Potters, the wonderful Jin Ling introduced a group to the dynamic and tactile world of figurative sculpting, while over at The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatū, Richard Penn encouraged his workshop attendees to follow unexpected ideas and embrace productive failure in sculpture.
Scott Brough and his class were crushing, sprinkling and wedging all sorts of materials into uku for the Adapting Clay Bodies workshop — experimenting with clay types, textures and alternative materials to push their clay bodies in new directions.
An attentive audience watched on as Suzy Dünser demonstrated her wheel-throwing techniques down at Potters Square during one of the awesome, free daily demos.
The wheels were humming once again upstairs at Kiln Studio where participants joined visiting artist and educator Levi Yastrow Levi Yastrow from West Michigan (USA), for a workshop exploring how to cultivate an artistic voice and bring greater intention to their ceramic practice.
Another group of potters had the chance to dabble in an alternative craft this afternoon, joining Gemma Stratton Rekindle • Resourceful Craft Workshops for a hands-on workshop to make their own slip brushes from natural wood and locally sourced tī kōuka fibre.
And, what better way to close out the midway point of Clay Week than with a screening of short films and documentaries revisiting legendary New Zealand ceramic artists in the beautiful Pastorius Waller Theatre at The Suter Te Aratoi o Whakatū, followed by a live Q&A with renowned New Zealand potter, Rick Rudd.
06/10/2026
At the heart of Nelson Clay Week sits Potters Square, our open-air public activity hub.
Operating every day of the festival with a rolling programme of events for all ages, Potters Square is the place to watch live demonstrations, get mucky at our clay table, try our potters wheel and lots more!
11am-4pm every day this week (until 9th OCT). Located at 1903 Square at the top of Trafalgar Street, by the Cathedral steps.
06/10/2026
What's happening at Nelson Clay Week on Wed 7 Oct.
We're on the homestretch already with just three days to go - don't stop us now!
Potters Square is at 1903 Square, on everyday from 11am-4pm. FREE.
- 11am-4pm - Clay Table - get the kids making little clay birds that will be displayed at Natureland Zoo.
- 11.30-12.30am - Demonstration - Anneke Borren
- 12.30-2.30pm - Have-a-go on a potter's wheel
- 3-4pm - 3 O'Clock Raku
Plus, there's this:
10-11am - NCW Demonstrations - Rick Rudd - Suter Theatre. $10
1-2pm - NCW Demonstrations - Greg Barron & Jin Ling - Suter Theatre. $10
5-6pm - Under Pressure: How Contemporary Ceramics Makes Meaning - talk by Richard Penn at DCR Sessions Room at 99 Collingwood St. Koha
7.30-8.30pm - Glaze Panel Discussion - talk by Ronald Boersen, Janeen Page Potter & Locke Jean-Luc Unhold. DCR Sessions Room at 99 Collingwood St. Koha
Everything you need to know is at www.clayweek.co.nz
Nelson City Council Uniquely Nelson Nelson Tasman Nelson Clay Week Hiwa Tāwera - Your Art Space
The Potters Refuge is open from 10am to 2pm every day for those needing a break from the muddy madness!
There’s a rolling coffee pot, soup, toasties, fresh fruit and plenty of pottery chat. Someone even started a pottery swap, where you can leave a pot and take a pot.
Thank you to Ceramics Association of New Zealand (Inc.) and for sponsoring this wonderful space! And of course, to the amazing Annie for being such a warm and friendly host.
259 Hardy Street, Whakatū Nelson
Click here to claim your Sponsored Listing.
Category
Telephone
Address
Nelson
Alerts
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Nelson Clay Week posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.