Greg Eiseman, Kristy Palleson and Ruby Duncan from The Clay Space on Maria Place. Photo / Logan Tutty
Greg Eiseman, Kristy Palleson and Ruby Duncan from The Clay Space on Maria Place. Photo / Logan Tutty
A new pop-up space for potters to display and sell their work is opening in Whanganui next week.
Members of the Whanganui Potters Society have branched out and created The Clay Space, a place thatgives potters the opportunity to sell and showcase their work, as well as a space to offer classes to interested locals.
The Clay Space will be opening on Maria Place on December 1 for four weeks leading up to Christmas.
"It's all local potters. We have Greg, myself and a bunch of others. It is just giving the opportunity to people who wouldn't normally get to the market and an avenue to sell some of their creations," said Ruby Duncan.
The idea of having a dedicated space has been on their radar for a while and the perfect opportunity finally came along.
"Time was marching on and we were locked down and it looked like it was never going to happen. Then suddenly we had this great opportunity to use the building."
Duncan has been running beginners workshops at her home but saw much more potential if she could find a bigger space.
"I can fit around four or five people around my table. But here, we have this huge table and we can have eight people at a time or so and create more of an event space where we could do coffee and mug day.
"Lots of people just want to try it and have a play experience."
She said they will have various one-off events, weekly pottery sessions as well as children's workshops.
"People want someone there to show them what to do. We will be there to help people to learn. We are always getting asked about holiday programs."
The Clay Space opens on December 1. Photo / Supplied
Potter Greg Eiseman said while people may not think they are artistic because they can't draw or paint, but there are many different forms of expression.
"I can't paint very well, but I can build things with my hands so it is a whole new type of art."
The upstairs rooms will be used as office spaces which will be rented out.
"It will be great to have some life in the building," said Duncan.
She said they will be working alongside the Sarjeant Gallery, and want to complement each other through their various workshops.