Ata Ceramics began its life as a studio for Grace Uivel ceramics in 2017, and has evolved into a busy and thriving community of both accomplished and budding potters, a place for in-depth clay learning and a space for the retail of ceramic work of the highest quality and craftsmanship.
While traveling in Japan, Grace was inspired by the hospitality and beauty of the ceramic shops and studios there and decided to create a space similar in Lyttelton Aotearoa.
Since then Ata has grown to now houses two studios; a teaching studio and resident potters studio where potters Grace Uivel, Coralie Winn, Anna Bogdanowicz and Amelia Kasaukas work from.
Due to increasing demand for classes Ata has grown to accommodate students every morning and night of the working week, bringing in skilled teachers Coralie Winn, Stephanie Nixon, Samantha Elise and Jordie Mcdonald the small studio now has 80 students and the shop showcases some of the highest quality pottery in Canterbury.
ATA STUDIO
Kaupapa
Owner / Studio Potter / Tutor
Grace Uivel
Grace Uivel is a potter working in Ōhinehou from her studio and shop Ata Ceramics. She pairs a backbone of craftsmanship as a potter with an experimental approach to materials.
Grace was taught by master potter Frederika Ernsten over 7 years and has been teaching pottery herself for more than 10 years.
Studio Manager / Studio Potter / Tutor
Coralie is a Ōhinehou Lyttelton-based potter who creates bespoke ceramics while teaching at and managing Ata Ceramics. She uses a range of NZ clays such as stoneware, earthenware, recycled and found clays.
Studio Potter/ Tutor
Anna Bogdanowicz
Anna is a ceramic artist working on the wheel and hand building then hand illustrating her ceramics with artworks of sea life and works mostly in porcelain.
She is a resident potters at Ata ceramics.
Anna takes the popular Friday evening Hand building class.
Pottery Tutor
Stephanie Nixon
Stephanie was surprised to find not every family had a printing press and oil paints on their dining-room table. She picked up a love of ceramics from her mother, artist Nan Crawley, and has worked with clay on and off since her early teens.
POTTERY TUTORS & GALLERY ARTISTS
Making Potters out of People
Ata studio seeks to teach students the skills and in-depth knowledge needed to express themselves through their ceramic work and if compelled to, eventually become potters themselves.
Many students have been with Ata since it opened and some of whom are now retailing their work in the shop. This full circle from beginner student to working craftsperson is the essence of our teaching philosophy.
Rob Uivel
Rob creates fully ceramic reusable coffee cups that don't use a silicone or plastic lid. The beautiful lid that was developed inspired the product name Deksel, which in Dutch means lid ( Rob is first generation NZ Dutch )
Jim Barribeau
Jim has studied and produced pottery since the early 1970s, studying at the Leach studio in St Ives, and under Takao in California. He mainly produces functional ware focusing on traditional glazes in an electric oxidation kiln fired to 1280C.
Sarah Geary Ceramics
Sarah Geary
I'm a Potter. Homeware mainly. 'From my hands to yours' simply. Honoured to have my pieces being used and loved in people's homes. My aim is to make honest pots that sit quietly, in harmony with their surroundings.