Canterbury Potters Association FAQs

Do I need any experience to join the Club?

Yes, experience at a beginners class at CPA (or elsewhere) will give you the experience you need to make the most of the membership with us. A beginners class will give you the skills and confidence to work independently and safely in our clubrooms. 

• Ability to work independently and safely with clay, glaze and pottery tools. 
• Attendance of clubroom orientation (required for Health and Safety). 
• A willingness to follow the club rules and take part.

How do I enrol in a class?

All the information on each class including dates and how to enroll is on our Hello Club calendar. Classes at Canterbury Potters are arranged by individual tutors, please contact them directly. There is often a Waiting List.

Other local opportunities to learn pottery include:
Risingholme – Opawa  www.risingholme.org.nz/product-category/pottery
Ata Ceramics – Lyttelton  www.ataceramics.nz/pottery-classes
Clae - Linwood www.clae.nz/classes
Kudo Clay – Burnside kudoclay.com
Hagley College www.hagley.school.nz/after-3/after-3-courses/ceramic-design
Ruff Shuffler ruffshufflerceramics.co.nz/pottery-course-christchurch
Stolen Bagel Pottery Studio – Ferrymead www.stolenbagel.co/book-online
Styx Pottery
Mud Magic Pottery www.mudmagic.nz/6-week-classes
Gypset www.gypset.co.nz/events
Little Bach Pottery www.littlebachpottery.com/

Are the Clubrooms available to hire?

The Clubrooms are available for hire for private events with some criteria to be met prior to the booking. Please contact us.

When are the Clubrooms available to use?

Clubday is every Wednesday 10am – late.
The Clubrooms are available to members outside of scheduled class and event bookings – check out the calendar.

What else is expected of me as a member of the Club

• Prompt payment of an annual subscription (currently $110 incl GST)
• Follow our Health & Safety processes
• Participate and promote our club workshops and events
• Tell friends, family and colleagues about our public events
• Volunteering if you can - committee, wheel maintenance, working bees, exhibitions and events

What equipment is available at the Club?

• 14 electric wheels
• electric, gas and raku kilns
• slab roller
• pug mill
• banding wheels
• extruder

What are the sizes of the kilns?

We have two Cobcraft electric kilns suitable for larger pieces:

1. Work width – 40cm, work height 66cm
2. Work width - 36cm, work height 56cm

The Kiln group will be happy to help with any questions, including questions about gas and raku firing. Members can sign up through the members portal for these special firings.

Are kilns available to use privately?

No. Our kilns are stacked, fired and emptied by volunteers and the work we fire is for members only. We do not fire pieces that are for sale commercially. The only exceptions are for members whose work will be submitted for the exhibition and for our Christmas Market.