Playing with Fire: Experiments in a Fast-Fire Phoenix Kiln
By Callum Trudgeon Early in my pottery career, I found myself drawn to wood-fired ceramics. The variety of surfaces, the depth and richness of colour, and the way…
Go behind the wheel and into the kiln with the artists who continue Barry Brickell’s ceramic legacy. This category explores clay creations, studio life, and the deep connection between earth and art.
By Callum Trudgeon Early in my pottery career, I found myself drawn to wood-fired ceramics. The variety of surfaces, the depth and richness of colour, and the way…
It’s hard to believe that I am well past my six-month mark at DCR and, in fact, it will soon be a year since I flew back to…
February 2026 welcomes a diverse group of artists to Driving Creek, bringing together practices that span ceramics, painting, photography, film, and interdisciplinary making. Drawn by the site’s rich creative legacy and immersive natural environment, these residents arrive with a shared desire to slow down, experiment, and respond deeply to place. Their projects explore themes of landscape, material knowledge, history, community, and identity — from working with local clays and ash, to reimagining historical narratives, merging disciplines, and honouring lineage through form. Together, the March residents contribute to a dynamic and collaborative residency period grounded in curiosity, process, and connection to whenua.
Over the past decade, handmade ceramics have enjoyed a resurgence, with a large number of people taking up the craft as a creative outlet. With this resurgence, a…
The January 2026 residency brings together a diverse group of artists working across ceramics, sculpture, drawing, textiles, sound, and interdisciplinary practice. United by a shared commitment to material exploration, place-based making, and creative inquiry, these residents will immerse themselves in Driving Creek’s unique landscape, ceramic legacy, and collaborative environment.
This December, Driving Creek welcomes a vibrant new cohort of resident artists whose work stretches the possibilities of ceramics. Spanning emerging talents and experienced practitioners, their practices are shaped by nature’s rhythms, lived stories, and bold creative exploration.
Driving Creek is well known in Aotearoa and abroad as a place where pottery, art, railway engineering and conservation converge. This unique fusion reflects the passions of Driving…
This November at Driving Creek, we’re excited to welcome a new group of resident artists exploring the edges of ceramics and creative practice. From emerging talents to seasoned practitioners, each brings a distinct perspective inspired by nature, personal narratives, and bold experimentation.
Reflecting back on the first month of my apprenticeship at Driving Creek is like standing in the forest. It’s hard not to feel in awe of the dense…
This October at Driving Creek, we’re delighted to welcome a fresh wave of resident artists pushing the boundaries of ceramics and creativity. From emerging talents to seasoned practitioners, each creator offers a unique perspective shaped by the rhythms of nature, personal stories, and bold experimentation.
We’re delighted to welcome Millie as our new production pottery apprentice at Driving Creek. Returning to the Coromandel after time abroad, Millie brings a deep connection to the land and a love of making. She looks forward to learning the craft of clay under the guidance of our team.
This September at Driving Creek, we’re proud to host a vibrant collective of resident artists exploring the realms of ceramics and photography. From emerging voices to established creatives, each artist brings a distinct lens shaped by the natural world, personal journeys, and fearless experimentation. Come meet the makers cultivating this month’s dynamic studio community.
Ngā Kaihanga Uku (the Māori Clay Artists Collective) will return to Driving Creek from November 2 – 9, 2025, rekindling a long-standing relationship with the site. Over the week, the rōpū will host public workshops, talks, and a major exhibition. Founded in the late 1980s, Ngā Kaihanga Uku has worked to “awaken and raise a Māori ceramic tradition,” drawing inspiration from ancestral clay narratives. Their upcoming exhibition, Ahi Kaa, curated by Chantel Matthews, opens November 8 at the Driving Creek Gallery, celebrating the kaupapa of keeping the fires of clay artistry burning.
This August, Driving Creek welcomes a diverse group of resident artists working across ceramics and photography. From emerging talents to seasoned practitioners, each artist brings a unique perspective shaped by nature, personal history, and experimentation. Meet the creatives shaping this month’s vibrant studio community.
This July, Driving Creek welcomes a diverse group of resident artists working across ceramics and photography. From emerging talents to seasoned practitioners, each artist brings a unique perspective shaped by nature, personal history, and experimentation. Meet the creatives shaping this month’s vibrant studio community.
This June, Driving Creek welcomes a diverse group of resident artists working across ceramics and painting. From emerging talents to seasoned practitioners, each artist brings a unique perspective shaped by nature, personal history, and experimentation. Meet the creatives shaping this month’s vibrant studio community.
In this thoughtful conversation, ceramic artist Monique Robinson invites us into her world—one shaped by earth, fire, and a deep sense of presence. Interviewed by Urth during her…
Driving Creek welcomes its May 2025 resident artists, a diverse group of creatives who have immersed themselves in the natural beauty and artistic heritage of Coromandel. Through their unique practices, these artists contribute to the vibrant tapestry of Driving Creek's community, fostering innovation, collaboration, and a deep connection to the environment.
Driving Creek is delighted to present its April 2025 resident artists—a vibrant group of ceramicists and sculptors from Aotearoa and beyond. During their residency, these artists immersed themselves in the natural beauty and creative legacy of Coromandel, each developing work that reflects their unique styles, backgrounds, and philosophies. From wheel-thrown vessels to slab-built ceramics and experimental glaze techniques, the April residents contributed to the dynamic artistic community at Driving Creek.
Driving Creek proudly introduces the March 2025 cohort of resident artists—an inspiring group of ceramicists and sculptors from Aotearoa and abroad. Over the course of their residency, these artists explored the rich natural surroundings and creative legacy of Driving Creek, each developing work that reflects their unique styles, backgrounds, and philosophies. From wheel-thrown vessels to slab-built ceramics and experimental glaze techniques, the March residents brought vibrant energy and innovation to the studio.
February 2025 welcomes a new wave of resident artists at Driving Creek! Discover Jacopo Cucci's raw clay creations, Ellie Woods' functional stoneware, and Neeti Gokhalay's nature-inspired ceramics. Dive into their artistic journeys and see what they're creating during their residency.
Exhibition curated by Karl Fritsch The NOTTAPOTTA exhibition at Driving Creek Gallery is a tribute to the visionary artist, potter, and conservationist Barry Brickell. More than just a…
Meet the talented resident artists of January 2025 at Driving Creek! From Andrea Gaskin's community-driven ceramics to Cindy Huang's immersive installations, each artist brings unique creativity and vision. Explore their stories and discover the inspiration behind their work.
By Holly Morgan Nestled amongst the rolling hills and lush trees in the coromandel, a group of eager clay workers from around the country gathered at the iconic…
Have you been wondering what journey your pottery encounters after you leave your pottery class? This article describes the incredible process your pottery goes through from when you…