The Potters' Roost

Introducing

The transformation of Sabrina Ayling Ceramics into

The Potters' Roost marks a significant milestone in a journey fuelled by passion, personal growth and the love of clay. After years of renting a classroom, a permanent sanctuary now emerges in a cottage in Royal Street, Upper Hutt — a space purposefully designed to nurture creativity and connection.

This new studio is has a special heart too, as a social enterprise where profits from classes and memberships directly fuel the Phoenix Program, a dedicated initiative using the tactile, grounding nature of clay to support mental wellbeing and personal renewal.

Doors open in May 2026.

The Potters' Roost's Mission

'Alone we grow, together we soar'

Sanctuary

The studio is in a cosy cottage designed as a soft place to land.

A retreat from the noise of the world where the only thing that matters is the clay in your hands.

Community

Whether you are an absolute beginner or experienced pro this is a place to find your people, share your knowledge, and grow in a space where every potter is a part of the flock.

Growth

From your very first pinch-pot to technical mastery, you can find the guidance and tools for your creativity to truly take flight.

What goes on at The Roost?

Beginner Journeys

Pottery Courses

Dedicated Wheel Throwing and Hand-building courses. With 6 brand new pottery wheels, hand building workstations and glaze room

The Social Flock

Book an Event

Single workshops, Team Building, and super fun "Mini-Wheel" Pottery Parties

Studio membership

Tiered studio access

The Next Generation

School Holiday Classes

A selection of membership options for those ready to fly solo in a supportive environment.

Kids’ school holiday programs to spark a lifetime of making. From pottery painting to clay creations.

Course Calendar coming soon...

The Heart of the Roost

A Social Enterprise for Upper Hutt

At The Potters' Roost, clay is more than just a hobby—it is a tool for healing. As a social enterprise, the driving force behind studio's existence is to foster mental wellbeing in our community. When you join a class, book an event or become a member, you are directly supporting our mission to make creative wellness accessible to everyone.

The Phoenix Program - Mental Wellbeing Course

Inspired by the transformative nature of fire, the Phoenix Program offers a specialized sanctuary for those navigating mental health challenges, grief, or burnout. The course focuses on the journey of working with clay rather than the destination, allowing participants to rise above the mental noise through the tactile and grounding nature of clay. Within this supportive non-clinical environment, the meditative process of making helps quiet the mind and regulate the nervous system. Ultimately, this journey allows individuals to reset and find their inner strength, emerging from the studio with both a unique ceramic piece and a renewed sense of self.

These sessions are subsidized ensuring that cost is never a barrier to recovery.

GiveaLittle: Fundraising to Help the Studio Soar

We are currently busy painting the walls sage, white and terracotta, installing our kiln room electricity, and building shelves, but we still need a little help to fill the studio with everything it needs for our students to soar.

Can you help? A Givealittle page has been set up with the hope that others share the dream of having a beautiful pottery studio in Upper Hutt. We still need funding for furniture, fire extinguishers and first aid, aprons, sponges, tool storage and all the little small fees that add up. Oh, and buckets, soo many buckets are needed for pottery :)

Even $10 goes a long way. Can you buy us a bucket?

Donate here

Adopt-a-Wheel: Invest in Our Community’s Creativity

The Potters’ Roost is looking for community partners to help fill our new studio with 6 Nidek-Shimpo Whisper pottery wheels. Widely regarded as the best quality and reliable wheel for a studio, they retail for $2400 each.

By "Adopting a Wheel," you are doing more than just buying equipment; you are providing a seat at the table for someone in our Phoenix Program and helping a local social enterprise thrive.

Your $2,400 Sponsorship Includes:

Your Name in the Studio: A custom-engraved plaque placed permanently on "your" wheel.
A handmade ceramic bird tile with your name or brand mounted on the 'Founding Flock' sponsorship wall inside The Potters' Roost.
The "First Spin": A private "Have-a-Go" session for two, so you can experience the magic of the wheel you’ve provided.
Social Shout-out: A dedicated post on our Instagram and Facebook pages announcing your partnership to our growing Upper Hutt community.
A Lasting Legacy: The knowledge that your contribution directly supports mental wellbeing and creative education in our region.

If you or your company want to help please email me directly at sabrina@pottersroost.co.nz to discuss a partnership.

Nothing to book right now. Check back soon.