OUR PEOPLE
We are lucky to have many people who are passionate about pottery and all things clay, helping to run the Waikato Society of Potters. From Committee members, to staff, Artists in Residence, volunteers and tutors.
STAFF MEMBERS
The society is staffed by two full time staff members, who manage the daily operational requirements of the studio, organising classes and workshops, maintaining the facilities and materials, and taking care of all your customer service needs.
Josephine Hughes
Manager
While Josephine has had some experience with clay, having gained a Certificate in Ceramics, her main focus in her career has been working in galleries and museums as an exhibitions designer. Having worked at the Robert McDougall Art Gallery, The Dowse Art Museum, Auckland Museum, Waikato Museum and MTG Hawke’s Bay, Josephine has an intense respect for objects, materials and their makers.
This passion, particularly for 3D art and design, is what led Josephine to apply for the role here at WSP.
At home Josephine has a big garden, loves to cook, and is mum to two standard poodles, Jake and Marcel.
Contact Josephine at manager@waikatopotters.co.nz
Libby Cameron
Assistant Manager
Although dabbling here and there for a few years prior, Libby properly discovered her love of making with clay in 2012 when she enrolled in night classes through Fraser High Continuing Education. She came to WSP in 2014 to take wheel-throwing classes.
Over the last decade, Libby has been a member, volunteer, Artist in Residence, wheel throwing tutor, and now a staff member.
Outside of the studio, Libby likes mucking around in her tropical-themed garden, spoiling the living daylights out of her three cats (Squeaky, Boggle and Wocket), heading away for trips with her mum in their motorhome.
Contact Libby at info@waikatopotters.co.nz
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The Society's strategic direction and momentum is guided by a committee of passionate potters. They are volunteers, who give their time to keep us on track and ensure our members have a vibrant, inclusive community, and facilities that allow you to learn and grow your interest in all things clay.
Meet our 2024-2025 Committee members below.
Committee contact: waikatopotters.committee@gmail.com
Tess May
President
Tess has a rich history working with clay and started potting when she was 17 years old. Following 2 years of study at Queensland Art College, Tess started work as a production thrower at commercial potteries around Victoria and Queensland, including Australian ceramics giant, Robert Gordon. These days, Tess is working full-time at a correspondence Kura teaching English and Art, but still potting as much as possible.
Tess’ favourite thing about WSP is being a part of an organization that creates opportunities for people to develop their knowledge and skills, and to branch out and try new things. It’s a place where we can support people to explore and expand their passion for ceramics.
Sarah Lee
Treasurer
Sarah was introduced to clay as an art student, but at that stage was focused on making jewellery.
Sarah signed up for a beginner class at WSP to train herself to take time for herself again, expecting it would lead her back to jewellery.
The year after joining WSP, Sarah was “sweet-talked” into becoming a Committee Member and our Treasurer, a position she’s held since 2018.
Sarah lives in Te Aroha and works at the library there. She’s been teaching pottery at a local school for the last 18 months which she says has been great fun.
Suzy Dunser
Secretary
Suzy’s very first experience potting was at a summer camp, Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp, in Connecticut, USA.
She came to NZ in 1995 and joined first the Titirangi Potters and then the Auckland Studio Potters, which set her on her path. In New Zealand it was as much the people as the pots that drew her in. She says “potters are the best people”.
Suzy joined WSP in 2021 when she knew she was moving to Paeroa from Auckland. She put her hand up for secretary duties at the AGM last year and has served the club well since then.
Outside of pottery Suzy teaches maths at Paeroa College.
Bronwyn Wright
Bronwyn started potting about 10 years ago when she came to an Open Day at WSP. She signed up for one of Diane Parker’s workshops in basic hand building and was hooked. Although, after working long days as a theatre nurse there’s seldom much left of the day to do pottery.
Since that first Open Day she’s been a regular helper at WSP events and came onto the committee a few years ago.
Bronwyn is also the Wood Firings Coordinator. She organizes and helps with collecting, cutting to size and stacking the wood, makes sure all the equipment and materials are ready, ensuring everything runs smoothly. No small task!
Bronwyn’s favourite thing about WSP is the community, the people she gets to meet, and the encouragement and support she’s received.
Caroline Hamilton
Caroline joined the society in 2021, quickly finding a passion for wheel throwing, then venturing into hand-building as well.
Caroline likes to make "big things" and is into a bit of everything, including being a keen wood firer. She is currently training to be one of WSP's Phoenix Firemasters, so she can lead these flame-fests for the club.
Outside of the studio, Caroline is a Veterinarian, hockey player and tie-dyer!
Josef Thompson-Smith
Joe's start in clay came after reading a book that talked about the advantages of trying something new each month. After deciding clay would be the first new thing he would try on that adventure, he took a wheel throwing class, and not long after that volunteered as a member of our Committee.
The vibrance of the place and the people are what Joe enjoys most about WSP. Though fresh to WSP he’s loving it so far. “It always feels like it has a great atmosphere and everyone is super friendly!”
Outside of pottery Joe does “anything and everything”. Although he is game for trying most things, his main hobbies are Kyokushin, snowboarding, reading and getting out on the nature trails. However he recently also added Scottish folk dancing with his partner Thailine to this list. Iongantach!
Lydia Farrell
On holiday in Nelson with her sister, Lydia visited a studio where everyone was making animal sculptures. She wanted to make some ceramic cats and found WSP online when she got home.
Lydia started at Play With Clay on Saturday mornings two years ago and has been a regular attendee and volunteer ever since. She also enrolled in several classes including Intro to Pottery hand-building, and wheel throwing.
Lydia’s favourite things about WSP are the facilities and the people, especially the volunteers, staff, and resident artists. “We are very fortunate to have this space with this affordability”.
Outside of pottery Lydia works in science and likes to move (either at the gym or out walking) and spend time with her husband. A typical evening will find her curled up with a book and their two cats.
Mark Tamura
Mark started potting in 2022. He joined a wheel-throwing class here at WSP and once he started, he couldn't stop!
In 2024 Mark completed two Artist in Residence terms, and then set up his home studio with a wheel, kiln and all the trappings.
After finishing his residency, Mark was keen to stay involved with WSP, and has joined the Committee and still volunteers in the studio weekly.
Outside of the studio, Mark is a stay-at-home dad with two busy daughters and a consultant working mainly in local government, planning and environmental management.
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE
The Waikato Society of Potters offers studio space and creative support for up to five Artists in Residence. Our aim is to provide a nurturing space where they can grow their knowledge and skills in all things clay, or in a specific area of their choosing. In return for their studio space and 24/7 access to the WSP facilities, they provide customer service and perform studio duties for 6 hours a week over the term of their residency.
Margaret Raine
Margaret has been part of the WSP crew for around 18 years!
Most days she is in the kiln room playing kiln-tetris to load, fire and unload all your work in our 6 electric kilns. On Tuesday nights she volunteers so the studio can be open for our potting community to come and get their clay fix at Play with Clay.
Margaret started potting back when she lived in Waimiha when a group of friends would travel over to the Bennydale pottery club each week. When she moved to the Waikato 18 years ago, she started coming to PWC at WSP, back when we were located in Riverlea. Shortly after that, Margaret started running those sessions.
Larissa Milsum
Larissa has been involved with WSP in a number of capacities, completing Level 5 of the Diploma in Ceramics here then taking up the role of Studio Assistant then progressing to Co-Manager.
She now concentrates on making her own work in her Residency, but her wealth of knowledge in how the studio runs is of great value to us.
Larissa was drawn to potting through artist friends and her current focus is on making her signature plinths and shelves.
Outside of the studio, Larissa enjoys baking cakes to put on her plinths and gardening.
Margaret De Freitas
Margaret came to clay work through a Wine and Wheel evening at Auckland’s Clay Centre, where she attended with her niece and sister. She enjoyed it so much she signed up for a few more classes and discovered that working with clay was not just fun, but very therapeutic.
After some time working with clay Margaret realised that she wanted potting to be more than a hobby. It was then that she enrolled in the Diploma in Ceramics here at the Waikato Society of Potters.
Margaret has now finished both Levels 5 and 6 of the Diploma and has stayed on as Artist in Residence to enjoy the sense of community and creative energy.
Sade Woodmass
Pic and bio coming soon.
