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.
What goes on at The Roost?
Learning Journeys
Courses and Workshops
Wheel Throwing and Hand-building Beginner's Courses,
and Single Workshops.
Studio membership
Tiered studio access
A selection of membership options for those ready to fly solo in a supportive environment.
The Social Flock
Private Pottery Events
Birthday Parties, Hen Parties and Team Building events.
The Next Generation
School Holiday Classes
Kids’ school holiday programs. From pottery painting to clay creations. Age 8+
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 the 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.
Further details on how to book coming soon.
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. We still have a few weeks left before the studio is open and lots to do.
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?
Courses and Workshops
Starts May 17
85 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts May 19
340 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jun 30
380 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Jun 28
340 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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Starts Aug 16
380 New Zealand dollarsLoading availability...
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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.