Potters put their pieces on show

The Matakana Potters Collective is bringing together clay, creativity and community for its first-ever combined exhibition later this month.

The exhibition, aptly titled Scoop, will be held at Charlie’s Gelato on Sharp Road from October 25 to November 1.

Visitors can expect an eclectic display of pottery – from finely crafted functional ware to bold sculptural pieces and unique handmade creations.

Formed informally about two years ago, the collective has grown to 16 members. The group’s purpose, they say, is all about “connection, collaboration and sharing creativity and experience.”

Membership ranges from professional potters such as Brendan Adams and Elvira Bakker, to those who are just beginning their clay journey.

Collective member David Sullivan says the event will be both an exhibition and a sale, with pieces priced from as little as $25 through to many hundreds of dollars.

“There will be something for everyone,” he says.

Adams adds that pottery has been experiencing a revival in recent years, particularly among younger generations.

“The tactile nature of pottery provides young people with an alternative to their digital world,” he says.

“When tutoring in Auckland, it was interesting to see how students really got a thrill out of working with their hands, creating something useful from clay.”

For many members, that joy of creating is central to their practice. While they joke about “just playing with mud,” the group agrees that clay offers endless possibilities – from the type of clay used, to whether a piece is wheel-thrown or hand-built, and the choice of firing in an electric gas or wood kiln.

Potter Emma Zhang describes her practice as both creative and calming.

“Pottery is meditative and a great way to de-stress,” she says.

Exhibiting potters in Scoop include Adams, Sullivan, Bakker, Zhang, Jill Howard, Liz Sharek, Louise Broadbent, Rachel Waterhouse, Sandra Mather, Susan Liddell, Theo Leach and Vivienne Paterson.

The exhibition promises a rich showcase of talent and styles, and perhaps even a scoop of ice cream on the side.