New Zealand Potters Inc. defines potters as “all people involved in the production of fired works produced from clay,” so visitors can expect a wide diversity of forms, styles and firing processes at this weekend’s exhibition showcasing members’ work from the Lower North Island.
“‘Elements’ gives local potters throughout the region an exhibition opportunity close to home whilst exhibiting with peers from a larger geographic location,” says organizer Nicola Dench. Sam Ludden and Kirsty Gardiner from Wairarapa will be featured.
NZP is a national organization bringing together around 36 local pottery groups and acting as a voice for professional and recreational potters throughout the country. The annual exhibition is usually held at Pataka, moving to smaller local centres around the region on alternate years. “We are delighted to hold the exhibition at Aratoi this year, especially as it is 50 years since our incorporation as a society,” says Dench.
This year’s selector is leading New Zealand potter Paul Melser, who has been running his rural Carterton pottery studio since 1974. He will give a talk on pottery in the digital age, along with Dench and Sue Dasler. They hope to generate discussion with the audience on future directions for pottery in New Zealand.
“I think we may have arrived at a time when the artisan potter can share a place in the kitchen and dining room with the artisan food maker,” says Melser. “I suspect we may be coming back full circle to where the craft movement started.”
He has found that recent clients are turning away from uniform, mass produced ceramic ware and seeking custom made, individual items that clearly show the hand of the maker. An example is the handmade tableware he made last year for the Cuba Street eatery Loretta, which was lauded in Australian Vogue, and Urbis magazine.
“The most recent request was for pots that looked as though they were made from natural material. They very much wanted “wholemeal” pots to go with their healthy food,” he says.
The talk will be followed by a trip to Meser's studio for those interested in learning more about his work. During the exhibition there will be a raffle on sale to raise funds for the NZ tertiary ceramic student competition, with works from award-winning potters Anneke Borren and Nicola Dench, and a set of four cups and saucers by Sue Dasler.
Exhibitions at Aratoi: Elements Exhibition: NZ Potters Inc, 9 May - 21 June; Masterton Modern, until 31 May; Te Matatini Mauri, until 11 May; A Gathering: John McLean, until 10 May; Hong Kong Song – Madeleine Slavick, until 10 May; Settling the land: Order out of Chaos?, until 10 May. Events: Bill McKay Senior Lecturer / Associate Head, School of Architecture, will talk on the development of the State House, Sat 9 May, 11am-12pm. Opening reception for NZ Potters, Sat 9 May, 1pm. Panel discussion on pottery in the digital era, Sat 9 May, 2-3pm. 
Local potter Paul Melser
Nicola Dench Bowl
Sue Dasler