Bernie has been experimenting with different art forms and mediums for most of her life. It is however the clay medium that in 2006 became her true love. It's an obsession that she is happy to say is impossible to shake! To share her love of clay with others, she started Hannah's Pottery Studio; a place where people from all walks of life come together, forming friendships, exchanging ideas, and inspiring one another.

Over the years, Bernie has honed her skills by experimenting with various techniques and styles to develop a distinctive artistic voice. Her creations exhibit a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary aesthetics. From sgraffito to raku firing techniques, with every creation, Bernie strives to touch the hearts and minds of others.

Bernie believes that pottery is not just about creating functional objects or beautiful works of art; it is a journey of self-discovery and personal growth. When not covered in clay, she enjoys walking the dogs (Molly, Alfie, and Junior) and visiting with fellow Potter friends to chat about the many wonders of clay. "To this day it blows my mind that one can take a lump of dirt and transform it into something beautiful which gives others visual pleasure – isn't that just the most wonderful thing!".

Bernie will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery Stop 42  during KOAST as part of Rhythm of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.

Formed Function ceramics are a collaboration that combines the design elements and botanical interest of sculptor Lindsay Antrobus Evans with the skill and drive of carver/painter Liz McAuliffe.

Their porcelain pieces are manipulated and altered to manifest an aesthetic that is both art and function, giving both a tactile and visual experience. As in Nature all 'imperfections' are intentional" 

Formed Function will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery during KOAST as part of Rhythms of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.

Click on the images below to view enlargements of their work.

Fern Coast Pottery is inspired by Bush walks and glassy waves. The love of nature and getting hands on keeps me motivated to create. Making unique one of kind pieces, with colours that keep your eyes delighted for days.

Kristina will be exhibiting at Little Black Gallery Stop 42 during KOAST as part of Rhythm of the North, an exhibition designed to celebrate KOAST - Tai Tokerau Art Trail and our Northland artists.

Linda Wigley is a ceramic artist and printmaker based in Rangitane, Te Tai Tokerau/Northland. Trained in ceramics and printmaking, Linda has recently rekindled her passion for both art forms. 

Her work draws inspiration from her flower garden, the native bush surrounding her workshop, and Northland’s majestic kauri forests. Linda creates unique, one-off ceramic pieces; vases either wheel-thrown or hand-built; decorated with native and introduced flora motifs. She employs the ancient sprigging technique, applying individually carved clay sprigs to her forms. Each piece is double-fired and glazed using hand-mixed glazes and underglazes. 

In printmaking, Linda produces original works in small, limited editions. She prepares copper or aluminum plates, etches and aquatints them with non-toxic chemicals, and prints each piece by hand onto archival-quality paper using a hand-operated roller press. Her prints use black and a variety of ink colours to evoke the mystery and beauty of the local forests. 

Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of her work. 

Linda Wigley will be exhibiting at stop 45 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!

Mark Mitchell grew up in NZ in a creative environment - he was always curious to see what his father had been inventing in his studio. His background in ceramics began in 1996 when he was working in a commercial pottery in Auckland.  He then became self-employed as a slip caster for 2 years. 

He completed his Fine Arts degree IN 2001 and from 2002- 2005 was employed as the Pottery Tutor at Hungry Creek Art School, Auckland.  Here he continued to develop mold making and throwing skills, slab building processes, and surface treatments using terra sigilatta, decals, enamels, and screen printing. 

He was chosen to represent NZ as an emerging Artist at the Fule International Ceramic Museums in China in 2007, where he worked alongside a group of internationally recognized Artists for 7 weeks. This was situated in an industrial tile and brick factory in the Shaanxi province, China. 

In 2009 he was recipient of a 3-month residency in Shigaraki Cultural Ceramic Park, Japan, awarded by The Japan Foundation, Sydney. This gave him the opportunity to solely focus on creating a new body of work in an internationally recognized ceramic residency programme.  Since then, he has been creating ceramic art - vessels, wall art and sculpture. 

Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of his work. 

Mark will be exhibiting at his own studio Stop 1 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!

Nicky Lawty is a multidisciplinary artist who works primarily with ceramics, but also explores metal, glass, and fabric in her creations. Her favourite pieces combine sculptural and functional elements; think lights, boxes, quirky mugs, and teapots. Nicky also enjoys crafting unique jewellery and other whimsical trinkets. 

Click on the images below to see enlargements of some of her work. 

Nicky will be exhibiting at stop 33 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!

Rhonda Halliday is a ceramic artist based in Waipapa, where she runs Uku Toi Gallery and Studio. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts (Visual Arts) from NorthTec Whangārei, earned in 2000.  

Rhonda was privileged to be mentored by the late Colleen Waata Urlich and Manos Nathan, co-founders of Ngā Kaihanga Uku and the Tai Tokerau Māori Artists Collective; an influence that continues to shape her creative practice. 

Her work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally, and she has actively participated in numerous Toi Ngāpuhi exhibitions and indigenous cultural exchanges. Best known for her highly burnished, smoke-fired patina pieces symbolising rebirth and emergence, Rhonda’s practice continues to evolve. More recently, she has begun experimenting with new forms and techniques, including the integration of clay with mixed media. These explorations reflect her personal narratives and aim to spark conversation and awareness; particularly around environmental issues and the vital importance of water. 

Tim Grocott creates both domestic and sculptural works using porcelain. His practice centres around commercial slip casting techniques, which he learned from former Crown Lynn mould maker Bruce Yallop during his time at a ceramics factory in Auckland.

Originally drawn to pottery through a passion for product design and manufacturing, Tim brings a design-led approach to his work. His finely crafted tableware and sculptural pieces are sold throughout Aotearoa.

Tim Grocott will be exhibiting at stop 25 during KOAST 2025 - buy a KOAST Trail Guide for further details!