Spring has finally sprung...

...and with it comes longer days and a little more warmth, firing up heaps of creative energy around the club! The place has been abuzz with people busying themselves up with works ready for the Kapiti Arts trail, and early New Year's Festival of Pots.

Something fantastic about the club is how it brings creative talent out into the community, and there are some fantastic opportunities just around the corner to see this in action.

• Kāpiti Coast Art Trail: The club will be a hub of activity for the Art Trail over the first two weekends of November. All members are invited to display and sell their work, and with a BBQ and coffee station planned, it's sure to be a lively and welcoming stop on the trail.
  
  
• Festival of Pots and Garden Art: Mark your calendars for January 15th-19th, 2026, held at the stunning Anam Cara Gardens,
  
  
• Tote Modern Gallery: This October, the gallery is showcasing the work of ceramicist Margaret Hunt, alongside guest artist Pamella Annsouth.
  
  

Sharing knowledge is just as important as sharing art. The club recently hosted a captivating talk by Jasmina Vučković, a ceramic artist and conservation specialist. They took the audience through a journey to the fascinating world of ceramic conservation, revealing the layered and deeply considered nature of their work. They have a short bio here for those eager to learn more.

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In that spirit of creation and storytelling, the latest newsletter shared some wonderful tales. One such story is the fascinating journey of potter Brent Craig. Before his hands were covered in clay, Brent spent 34 years in the Police force. A man of many talents, he was also a Police Artist, creating sketches from descriptions given by victims or witnesses. His pottery journey began in 1990, sparked by a simple need for decent pots for his bonsai trees. This practical need blossomed into a passion, and Brent has since become a cornerstone of the Ōtaki Pottery Club, serving as Vice President for about 14 years and even managed the build out of the club's beautiful premises. A more detailed story about Brent exists here, in the club's monthly newsletter (look for the October 2025 one!).




in spring, it’s spring!
each spring is great
and so on
—Matsuo Basho, 1680