Clay Garrity Tools Mud Tools Other Tools
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At The Clay Centre we believe that creativity is in all of us. We believe that it is innate and that it is a skill that can be learned. There is enormous satisfaction in working with your hands and creating something that is uniquely yours. We have a range of classes to suit all levels of making, and our tutors are here to help you learn the skills you need to start making, and to keep on making with clay! The Clay Centre aims to provide anyone who would like to learn, the opportunity to learn the art of pottery. No matter what your ambition, we are here to help you learn all about clay and pottery. From hobbyist to serious potter, we provide the teachers, the equipment and the space for you to learn.

 OUR FACILITIES

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Studios

The Clay Studio offers 4 separate areas:

  • Retail shop selling tools, coffee and tea

  • Dedicated Class space, comprising 16 wheels, hand tables, small glaze area and ware racks.

  • Dedicated Members Area which has 10 wheels, including the Glaze and Kiln areas for the whole Centre to use.

  • An ‘Events Area’, which doubles as a Workshop space/ Exhibition space/ Party space.

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Equipment

At The Clay Centre we have 16 electric wheels in the teaching area, plus 10 electric wheels in the dedicated Members area. We proudly support NZ Made and all our wheels are Cowley Wheels.

The Clay Centre also offers the following:

  • 4 Electric Kilns

  • 2 Spray Booths

  • Glazing area

  • Handbuilding tables

  • Wedging tables

  • Slab roller

  • Extruder

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Retail

Our Retail Shop has a great selection of tools. We are the only stockists of Garrity Tools, top quality handmade tools made in the US. We also stock a large variety of basic tools, as well as beginners tool sets. Our coffee cart has only the best NZ made coffees and teas for sale. We love it when you come and chill in our retail area and browse our books, relaxing at The Clay Centre is encouraged!

 OUR TUTORS

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Nadine Spalter It has been a dream of mine to open my own teaching studio, and finally together with my husband and the support of my family, we have opened ‘The Clay Centre’. We hope to inspire many generations to begin and continue this most rewarding journey with clay.

Nadine Spalter

It has been a dream of mine to open my own teaching studio, and finally together with my husband and the support of my family, we have opened ‘The Clay Centre’.

We hope to inspire many generations to begin and continue this most rewarding journey with clay.

Eloise Worrall-Bader Good Girl Ceramics is the moniker of Artist Eloise Worrall-Bader. Formerly a painter Eloise now solely practices in clay. Eloise has a Masters of Art and Design from Auckland University of technology, her thesis was titled "A Practice of Practise". “My goal as a tutor is to ensure that my students leave my classes with good habits and understanding of clay and wheel throwing, but more importantly, I hope my enthusiasm and love of clay rubs off on them."

Eloise Worrall-Bader

Good Girl Ceramics is the moniker of Artist Eloise Worrall-Bader. Formerly a painter Eloise now solely practices in clay. Eloise has a Masters of Art and Design from Auckland University of technology, her thesis was titled "A Practice of Practise".

“My goal as a tutor is to ensure that my students leave my classes with good habits and understanding of clay and wheel throwing, but more importantly, I hope my enthusiasm and love of clay rubs off on them."

Helen Perrett Helen Perrett has worked with clay for the past twenty years and has been teaching for nine years. Helen likes her work to evoke stories and histories; is intrigued by the world of tales and myths; and the richness of language and symbolism. She likes to make animals and figures which suggest a story. Helen has a degree in Art History and English Lit. and a Diploma of Ceramic Arts.

Helen Perrett

Helen Perrett has worked with clay for the past twenty years and has been teaching for nine years. Helen likes her work to evoke stories and histories; is intrigued by the world of tales and myths; and the richness of language and symbolism. She likes to make animals and figures which suggest a story.

Helen has a degree in Art History and English Lit. and a Diploma of Ceramic Arts.

Aidan Raill Aidan has a mixed ceramic practice delving into both functional and non-functional work. He enjoys experimenting with different glazes and glaze applications within his work. Currently Aidan is working on mid-fire glazes for firing in his small wood fired kiln. Aidan has a Bachelor of Visual Art from Unitec and a Diploma of Ceramic Arts from Otago Polytechnic

Aidan Raill

Aidan has a mixed ceramic practice delving into both functional and non-functional work. He enjoys experimenting with different glazes and glaze applications within his work. Currently Aidan is working on mid-fire glazes for firing in his small wood fired kiln. Aidan has a Bachelor of Visual Art from Unitec and a Diploma of Ceramic Arts from Otago Polytechnic

Becky Richards Becky comes to clay from a contemporary art background, with a passion for abstract ceramic work that emphasises the physical qualities of the material. She uses hand-building techniques to create forms that are lively and organic –ranging in scale from tiny to unwieldy – most often exhibited as key elements in mixed-media installations. As a tutor Becky supports her students in learning strong building methods, while encouraging the cultivation of individual sensibilities. Becky has a Masters of Fine Arts, Elam, University of Auckland

Becky Richards

Becky comes to clay from a contemporary art background, with a passion for abstract ceramic work that emphasises the physical qualities of the material. She uses hand-building techniques to create forms that are lively and organic –ranging in scale from tiny to unwieldy – most often exhibited as key elements in mixed-media installations. As a tutor Becky supports her students in learning strong building methods, while encouraging the cultivation of individual sensibilities.

Becky has a Masters of Fine Arts, Elam, University of Auckland

Kate McLean Kate McLean lives in Auckland where she combines her interests in clay, print and photography. She has a constant interest in developing these three disciplines, in work that is challenging and extending. At times she and Matt McLean combines their skills Kate makes a range of varied work, from large-scale public art works right through to small-scale wearable brooches.

Kate McLean

Kate McLean lives in Auckland where she combines her interests in clay, print and photography. She has a constant interest in developing these three disciplines, in work that is challenging and extending. At times she and Matt McLean combines their skills

Kate makes a range of varied work, from large-scale public art works right through to small-scale wearable brooches.

Rachel Carter Potter Rachel Carter creates porcelain domesticware for people who share her love of craft and design. As an artist Rachel strives to make work that enhances people’s lives while using methods that are gentle on the planet. Her pieces bring a calm beauty to their environments, whether stacked on a shelf or giving pleasure in their feel. They are handcrafted to enrich the rituals of daily life.

Rachel Carter

Potter Rachel Carter creates porcelain domesticware for people who share her love of craft and design. As an artist Rachel strives to make work that enhances people’s lives while using methods that are gentle on the planet. Her pieces bring a calm beauty to their environments, whether stacked on a shelf or giving pleasure in their feel. They are handcrafted to enrich the rituals of daily life.

Jo Raill ”I love making affordable objects like mugs and bowls which are organic in form. As domestic ware leaves my studio I imagine the pieces in another home serving a purpose but also bringing a smile to the day”. Jo has a Dip.Ceramics Otago and a Post Grad Dip Fine Arts Elam

Jo Raill

”I love making affordable objects like mugs and bowls which are organic in form. As domestic ware leaves my studio I imagine the pieces in another home serving a purpose but also bringing a smile to the day”.

Jo has a Dip.Ceramics Otago and a Post Grad Dip Fine Arts Elam

Kairava Gullatz Kairava has enjoyed her profession as a ceramic artist for over 35 years, A career-span that includes 17 years of tutoring at Corban Estate Arts Centre, Artstation and Studio One. Kairava grew up in Germany where she studied Ceramic Design and participated in exhibitions which won her two ceramic awards. Since immigrating to New Zealand, Kairava finds her inspiration in the beautiful nature of Auckland’s West Coast. As a clay tutor Kairava’s aim is to support students on their creative journey.

Kairava Gullatz

Kairava has enjoyed her profession as a ceramic artist for over 35 years, A career-span that includes 17 years of tutoring at Corban Estate Arts Centre, Artstation and Studio One. Kairava grew up in Germany where she studied Ceramic Design and participated in exhibitions which won her two ceramic awards. Since immigrating to New Zealand, Kairava finds her inspiration in the beautiful nature of Auckland’s West Coast. As a clay tutor Kairava’s aim is to support students on their creative journey.

Catherine Spence Catherine has been playing with clay for many years but only recently gave up full time work to focus on it properly. She uses a variety of techniques - throwing, coiling and slab building to create both functional and non-functional pieces. Currently Catherine is completing the Diploma in Ceramic Art at Auckland Studio potters, where she is also an assistant tutor.

Catherine Spence

Catherine has been playing with clay for many years but only recently gave up full time work to focus on it properly. She uses a variety of techniques - throwing, coiling and slab building to create both functional and non-functional pieces.

Currently Catherine is completing the Diploma in Ceramic Art at Auckland Studio potters, where she is also an assistant tutor.

Kate McIntyre Kate has been working predominantly in ceramics since completing a Bachelor of Design in 2009. Kate’s current work is inspired by patterns and structures found in nature. Her interest in the natural world stems not only from the beautiful forms and intricate patterns, but also from the efficient and economical use of material.

Kate McIntyre

Kate has been working predominantly in ceramics since completing a Bachelor of Design in 2009. Kate’s current work is inspired by patterns and structures found in nature. Her interest in the natural world stems not only from the beautiful forms and intricate patterns, but also from the efficient and economical use of material.

Annie McIver Someone said to me that artists often carry a group of themes within them for a lifetime and certainly for me I see themes in what I make recurring in a variety of forms. I have used both animals and humans to embody the human condition. They are every-man figures and they are all invested, in some way, with a sense of our mortality and a preoccupation with our inner life and the subconscious. As a figurative ceramic sculptor I hand build using both coil and slab techniques and construct in a modular way. The formation of identity, particularly during childhood, continues to be my focus and the motivation in my making is to capture and encapsulate those small haemorrhages of the self. They are the dualities we encounter which chart our emotional progress through life. I completed a Master of Design at Unitec in 2012.

Annie McIver

Someone said to me that artists often carry a group of themes within them for a lifetime and certainly for me I see themes in what I make recurring in a variety of forms. I have used both animals and humans to embody the human condition. They are every-man figures and they are all invested, in some way, with a sense of our mortality and a preoccupation with our inner life and the subconscious. As a figurative ceramic sculptor I hand build using both coil and slab techniques and construct in a modular way. The formation of identity, particularly during childhood, continues to be my focus and the motivation in my making is to capture and encapsulate those small haemorrhages of the self. They are the dualities we encounter which chart our emotional progress through life. I completed a Master of Design at Unitec in 2012.

Strahan Clarke I've built my skills in ceramics by supplying restaurants and local businesses with my domestic wares. More recently I have moved away from the idea of mass production, rather choosing to make bespoke sets for particular purposes, as well as solely one off pieces. Preciousness has always been a subject within my work, either emphasizing the fact or completely disregarding it. I try to achieve an overall sense of quietness regardless of number, functionality or intended surfaces.

Strahan Clarke

I've built my skills in ceramics by supplying restaurants and local businesses with my domestic wares. More recently I have moved away from the idea of mass production, rather choosing to make bespoke sets for particular purposes, as well as solely one off pieces.

Preciousness has always been a subject within my work, either emphasizing the fact or completely disregarding it.

I try to achieve an overall sense of quietness regardless of number, functionality or intended surfaces.

Richard Naylor developed a great love of clean classical shapes and lines and a rather sparse feel to my work from my time in Japan. I have always been fascinated by bright colours, with the blues and greens in my work perhaps reflecting the environment of Auckland's West Coast and the Waitakere Forest, where I live and walk my dog. I love working on the wheel, though for larger pots I sometimes use coiling as I find it a very therapeutic way of working and it gives me the opportunity to develop the idea of the pot as I'm going along.

Richard Naylor

developed a great love of clean classical shapes and lines and a rather sparse feel to my work from my time in Japan. I have always been fascinated by bright colours, with the blues and greens in my work perhaps reflecting the environment of Auckland's West Coast and the Waitakere Forest, where I live and walk my dog. I love working on the wheel, though for larger pots I sometimes use coiling as I find it a very therapeutic way of working and it gives me the opportunity to develop the idea of the pot as I'm going along.