Auckland Studio Potters

What Auckland Studio Potters does

Auckland Studio Potters (ASP), legally Auckland Studio Potters Society (Inc), is a non-profit membership ceramics organisation founded in 1961 (with origins tracing to 1925) and headquartered at 96 Captain Springs Road, Onehunga, Auckland. It operates a community pottery centre on council land at Waikaraka Park, comprising a main house (with office, library, communal space, and two on-site galleries), a purpose-built teaching studio, a kiln shed, and two Artist in Residence pod studios.

The organisation's core offer spans four streams: (1) structured education - regular term classes (8 per term, beginner through advanced), specialised workshops (raku, woodfiring, salt firing, mold making, slip casting, crystalline glazes), youth programmes for ages 7-17, and the Otago Polytechnic Diploma in Ceramic Arts (Level 5/6 NZQA); (2) studio access and infrastructure - 12 kilns covering gas, electric, wood, salt, diesel, and raku firing, 16 electric wheels, 4 Leach-type kick wheels, pug mill, slab roller, extruders, and ~20 documented glaze recipes; (3) membership - calendar-year subscriptions at NZD $90 providing facility access and community inclusion for approximately 300-400 members; and (4) exhibitions and sales - rotating shows in the Pool Room Gallery and Box Shop (26 boxes) and off-site annual exhibitions at Pah Homestead and Allpress Studio. Operations are run by 4 paid staff (Centre Manager, Diploma Coordinator/Kiln Technician, Residency Coordinator, Office Assistant) supported by a 12-member elected committee and extensive volunteer participation.

ASP generates revenue through subscription membership ($90/yr), term class fees ($238-$374/term for 7-11 sessions), per-session workshops (from $45 for Raku to $500 for a 10-week Woodfiring course), usage-based studio fees ($5/hr capped at $15/day), per-firing kiln hire ($35-$350), pay-as-you-go clay sales ($22-$79 per 10kg bag), a 30% commission on gallery sales, and tuition from Diploma students and short-course participants. Community-operated and event-driven, the centre runs major annual fundraisers including Big Clay Day Out and the Mid-Winter Pottery Market, alongside curated exhibitions (Fire & Clay, Nourish). The go-to-market motion is community-led, relying on membership application, social media (Instagram, Facebook), quarterly newsletters, and member-driven referrals.

Name

Auckland Studio Potters

Legal name

Auckland Studio Potters Society (Inc)

Website

https://ceramics.co.nz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Auckland Studio Potters is a non-profit membership ceramics organisation in Onehunga, Auckland, serving 300-400 members, term-class students, NZQA diploma candidates, youth participants, and resident artists via studio access, kiln hire, classes, workshops, galleries, and community exhibitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Pottery & Ceramics Education

NAICS

Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing (327110)

SIC

Pottery & Related Products (3260)

akta.pro primary industry

Crafts & Maker Arts (Ceramics, Textiles, Jewelry, Mixed Media) (EDAMAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industry

Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA)

Keywords

• Pottery classes
• Ceramics studio
• Ceramic arts education
• Studio membership
• Pottery workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Onehunga, Auckland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership subscription at $90 per calendar year (January-December), provides access to studio facilities, classes, exhibitions, and member benefits
2. Class and Workshop Fees: Term classes ranging from $238-$374 depending on length (7-11 sessions). Workshops vary from $45-$500 for specialized programs. Beginner/intermediate classes, specialist workshops, and multi-week courses available
3. Studio Use Fees: Members pay $5/hr to maximum $15/day for studio access. Saturday flat fee of $15. Diploma students have studio use incorporated in diploma fees
4. Kiln Firing Fees: Pay-as-you-go per item firing. Kiln hire ranges from $35 to $350 depending on size and firing temperature. Multiple electric and gas kilns available
5. Clay Sales: Clay available for purchase including Terracotta, Midfire, Stoneware and Porcelain varieties. Prices range from $22 to $79 per 10kg bag
6. Gallery Sales Commission: 30% commission on sales through Box Gallery (26 boxes for hire per term) and Pool Room gallery exhibitions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Auckland Studio Potters is a membership-based ceramics community centre that provides pottery classes, specialised workshops, studio access, kiln hire, clay and glaze supplies, and exhibition spaces. It also runs a formal Diploma in Ceramics in partnership with Otago Polytechnic and an Artist in Residence programme, operating from a single site in Onehunga, Auckland.

Product overview

Auckland Studio Potters is a membership-based ceramics community center offering a comprehensive portfolio of pottery education and studio services. The core offering includes regular term classes (wheel throwing and hand building from beginner to advanced), specialized workshops (raku, woodfiring, salt firing, mold making, crystalline glazes), and a formal Diploma of Ceramics programme in partnership with Otago Polytechnic. Supporting facilities include fully equipped studios with 12 kilns, glazes and clay products for purchase, and two exhibition venues (Pool Room Gallery and Box Gallery). The organization also runs an Artist in Residence programme and annual exhibitions (Fire & Clay, Nourish), plus youth programmes for children and teens. Members receive access to studio facilities, kiln hire, educational content, and sales opportunities through the gallery spaces.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Membership Annual membership subscription at $90 per calendar year that gives individuals aged 18+ access to studio facilities, classes, exhibitions, gallery displays, and member events.
• Classes and Workshops Term-based pottery classes for beginners through advanced students covering wheel throwing and hand building, plus single-session specialised workshops in firing techniques and ceramic processes, available to members and the public.
• Diploma of Ceramics Formal Level 5 and Level 6 NZQA qualification in Ceramic Arts and Design delivered with Otago Polytechnic, with hands-on studio tuition at ASP and online theory and design papers; up to 15 students per year.
• Artist in Residence Programme Residency programme offering national and international ceramic, sculpture, and interdisciplinary artists 4-12 weeks of access to fully equipped private studios and kilns, culminating in a public talk, workshop, or exhibition.
• Studio Facilities and Kiln Hire Pay-as-you-go access to studio facilities (wheels, slab roller, extruders, glazing area) and hire of 12 kilns of various types for members; kiln hire ranges from $35 to $350 depending on size and firing temperature.
• Glazes and Clay Products Sale of clay (Terracotta, Midfire, Stoneware, Porcelain at $22-$79 per 10kg bag) and use of an in-house library of approximately twenty mid-fire and high-fire glazes for members and students.
• Exhibition Spaces (Pool Room Gallery and Box Gallery) On-site exhibition and retail venues where members can display and sell ceramics, including 26 hireable boxes in the Box Shop and the rotating Pool Room Gallery exhibitions.
• Kids Holiday Programme School holiday hand-building clay workshops for children aged 7-13 led by experienced tutors, where children create themed sculptural pieces and return to glaze after firing.
• Teen Throwing Programme School holiday wheel throwing workshops for teenagers aged 13-17 introducing clay fundamentals and wheel techniques.
• Annual Exhibitions (Fire & Clay and Nourish) Annual curated group exhibitions showcasing member ceramics, including Fire & Clay (with prizes) at Pah Homestead and the Nourish functional ware exhibition with Allpress Studio.

Quantifiable outcome

• Has supported the growth and recognition of pottery and ceramic arts in Auckland and New Zealand for over 60 years
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Otago Polytechnic School of ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormal educational partnership where Otago Polytechnic's Diploma in Ceramic Arts and Design (Level 5 and 6 NZQA) has its making modules based at Auckland Studio Potters. The diploma emphasizes hand-in-hand teaching of skills and techniques with creative thinking, using professional ceramic practitioners and educators. Course provides up to 15 students annually with intensive workshop tuition supplemented by online theory and design papers from Otago.
• Allpress StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Nourish Exhibition partnership - an exhibition of functional domestic ware run by ASP in association with Allpress Studio in Freemans Bay, Auckland. All pieces are for sale with first, second and third prizes awarded. Exhibition typically runs in May-June annually.
• The Arts House Trust (Pah Homestead)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for ASP's annual Fire & Clay Exhibition showcasing outstanding pottery and ceramics of members. Also hosts AiR (Artist in Residence) exhibitions. Located at 72 Hillsborough Road, Auckland. Open Tue-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 8am-4pm during exhibitions.
• Ceramics NZminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on regional events such as the Ceramic Swap for Auckland regional members. ASP connects members with Ceramics NZ's regional council structure.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Driving Creek Pottery: Coromandel-based pottery and ceramics centre founded by Barry Brickell. Comparable as a NZ ceramics destination offering classes, kilns, and exhibitions, but adds a tourism and rail-trail dimension.
• Pottery Northwest: Seattle-based ceramics education center with studio access, classes, and kiln hire. Closely comparable membership and class-based model serving hobbyist and professional ceramicists.
• Greenwich House Pottery: New York City ceramics education center offering classes, studio access, and kiln facilities. Comparable operating model with classes from beginner through advanced and membership-based studio access.
• Ceramics NZ: National body representing NZ ceramic artists and societies. Directly comparable as it provides the umbrella network for regional pottery organizations, including ASP, and runs shared events such as the Ceramic Swap.

Regional players

• Wellington Potters Association: Regional peer operating a community pottery studio in Wellington with classes, workshops, kilns, and exhibitions. Directly comparable membership-based model but serving a different NZ geography.

Broad incumbents

• The Clay Studio: Philadelphia-based non-profit ceramics center with classes, residencies, exhibitions, and a larger-scale community programme. Comparable mission and diversified offering but at significantly greater scale.

Others

• Depot Artspace: Auckland-based community arts centre offering studios, classes, and exhibitions across multiple disciplines. Comparable as a community arts venue serving Auckland but broader than ceramics-only.
• Objectspace: Auckland design and craft gallery that exhibits and promotes NZ makers. Comparable as an Auckland-based ceramic-arts showcase venue and member of the same craft ecosystem.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/aspnz
• Instagraminstagram.com/aucklandstudiopotters
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/auckland-studio-potters

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Auckland Studio Potters