Welcome to Botpots Studio! We are so excited for you to join us.

Botpots was first and originally established as a pottery supply store. We stock various brands of clay such as Laguna, Primo and our own Botpots clay. We are currently the only store across New Zealand to stock an extensive range of glazes from Coyote, Claybright & Laguna.

This year, we have decided to try something new and exciting for our community so we have created Botpots Studio for public classes and workshops!

Over the past few years, more and more professional artists & amateurs have taken up pottery as hobby and home business.

Beginner’s Pottery Wheel Class
Course fee: $220 (Clay, a beginner’s tool kit and firing for 3 pieces of work included)

Class capacity: 6

Description: The four weeks beginner pottery wheel course is a fun introduction course perfect for those who have never tried throwing on the pottery wheels. You will be working in a small class closely with our tutors for a personalised experience, getting all the help and tips you need!
The objectives for this course is to learn how to centre on the wheel and how to make basic forms such as cylinders and bowls. You will choose your
top pieces to be trimmed and bisque fired and also learn how to apply glaze to finish off your pieces. Your work will then be fired, available to collect 2-3 weeks after the final class.

Monday morning 10am – 1pm (4 weeks duration. November 16th – Dec 7th)

Tuesday evening 6:30pm – 9:30pm (4 weeks duration. Nov 17th – Dec 8th)

Wednesday morning 10am – 1pm (4 weeks duration. Nov 18th – Dec 9th)

Wednesday evening 6:30pm – 9:30pm (4 weeks duration. Nov 18th – Dec 9th)

Thursday evening 6:30pm – 9:30pm (4 weeks duration. Nov 19th – Dec 10th)

    *Extra pieces you’ve made and would like to fire, firing costs will be paid separately.

    Meet the team!

    Elaine

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    Elaine Zhong:

    Elaine is our studio manager and tutor here at Botpots Studio. Born in ShenZhen, China and moved to New Zealand in 2006. She has completed a honours in Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam with her practice exploring the intimacy of clay and the human’s touch. For Elaine, the hypnotising spinning wheels creates a silent rhythmic act, drawing the mind and mental energy deeply into the process of making. She believes pottery is a beautiful method of practice which celebrates the hybridity of craft and art. 

    Elaine is also equipped with a Diploma of Secondary Teaching. Her teaching philosophy is to motivate and inspire as Elaine believes it is important for students to develop curiosity to direct their learning. She is passionate to share her knowledge in ceramics with dedication to teach and assist all students in their journey of learning as the best learning happens through trial and error.

    Sophie

    Sophie Lemaire- Sicre:

     

    Sophie completed her first class honours in Industrial Design at Massey Wellington and spent a few years in the product design and fabrication industry before moving onto pursue her passion for ceramics. Her love for pottery was ignited with the help of her mentor, Sue Dasler (based in Wellington). Here she learnt all the fundamental knowledge needed to design and make ceramics, and has paired this with her knowledge of product design to launch her own brand ‘Lemaire’. Sophie has been working with clay for 5 years, learning that trials and tribulations within her ceramic practice is all a part of the process. Her work has a playful nature, and she is passionate about encouraging her students to enjoy the process, pushing them to think beyond just the final outcome.

    Any questions please feel free to contact us!