Waiclay National Ceramics Award 2015

Waiclay was established in 2001 at a national convention in the Waikato which included a national ceramic exhibition at Waikato Museum. Waiclay has continued this special relationship with Waikato Museum by holding a national exhibition at the Museum every two years.

The Waiclay team and Waikato Museum worked together as a partnership to develop a ceramic exhibition that is now considered to be one of the best in New Zealand.

Waiclay is a small team of dedicated potters who have over the years developed knowledge of master potters from all over New Zealand and the world. Their aim is to present ceramic work to be viewed by the public in an exhibition, which will present the pieces in their best light. I personally feel that it is important that this special relationship continues using our knowledge with ceramic workers and the expertise of the Waikato Museum to present the work in a venue of excellence. The last exhibition held at Waikato Museum was in conjunction with the New Zealand retrospective tour of Barry Brickell’s work. We invite a list of Master Potters to exhibit a couple of pieces each. The two exhibitions worked very well together showing again the varied ceramic work produced in New Zealand.

The 2011 Waiclay National Awards exhibition was selected by Bruce Dehnert USA. Bruce came to New Zealand and worked in Hamilton for a few weeks producing a range of pieces using the kilns available at Waikato Society of Potters. He stayed in the artist residence in ArtsPost right next to the Museum so was able to liaise with the Museum staff as they installed the exhibition. Waikato potters were privileged to be able to pop in and speak to Bruce and see his progress as he produced some amazing pieces.
Bruce selected Kate Burchett’s (Cambridge) work Hot Rock Café as the winner of the Premier Award. Kate was at the time studying for a Diploma of Ceramics under the auspices of Otago Polytechnic. Merit Awards went to Duncan Shearer (Hamilton), Albarelli Series 7, Nicola McLaren, Memento Mori 2 (Dunedin) and Darryl Frost, Gone Fishing (Nelson).

Each selector over the years has given potters from the Waikato and all over New Zealand who come to the floor talk on the morning after opening, an insight into the thought process involved in producing pieces of excellence. Polytechnic students and ceramic students attend these discussions as part of their learning. I would like to thank our selectors over the years – the first two exhibitions where selected by New Zealand potters Darryl Robertson and Steve Fullmer, followed by Australians Janet Mansfield, Janet DeBoos and Bruce Dehnert from the USA.

This  exhibition is selected by Chester Nealie who learnt his craft in New Zealand and then headed for Australia. His home base is at Gulgong NSW where he has built his own specifically designed wood kiln producing pots with dripping ash and shell effects. His pieces are in collections all over the world.

Welcome to the Waiclay 2015 National Ceramics Award. It is a very exciting time for the Waiclay team to be able to form a partnership with Waikato Museum and present another major exhibition.

Janet Smith
Waiclay President

Key dates

• 2 October - Closing date for entries
• 21 October - Artists notified
• 2-4 November - Works to be received at Waikato Museum
• 13 November - Exhibition opening night - winners announced
• 14 November - Chester Nealie - Waiclay Judge's Floor talk. 10.30am - 12pm Find out more here.