THE POT HOUSE

05/08/2026

WE'RE IN! 🎨🙌

The countdown is on! The Incubator is absolutely thrilled to announce that we will be part of the inaugural Tauranga Art Show – and it's shaping up to be the biggest art celebration this city has ever seen!

We are proud to be representing 30 of our incredible artists (a few included in this reel!) at this historic event. These are artists who have poured their hearts into our kaupapa, who have helped build the vibrant arts movement we've become together. They've been part of our journey, and we're honoured to be part of theirs.

Studios have been buzzing as they prepare for what promises to be an absolutely incredible exhibition. We cannot wait to share their mahi with you.

Want to be part of the buzz? We've got some double passes to give away! 🎟️

To enter:

Make sure you're following us.

Tell us in the comments: Who are you bringing with you and why!

Tauranga is bursting with artistic talent, and finally, we have a show that brings so much of it together under one roof. This is going to be a feast for the eyes and a massive win for our creative community. See you there!

02/08/2026

02/08/2026

📢 CALLING ALL POTTERS – WE NEED A GUARDIAN FOR OUR NEW KILN SHED! 🔥🏺

The kiln gods are calling, and we need YOUR help! The Incubator Creative Hub is on the hunt for a special guardian to watch over our brand-new Kiln Shed – the new home of our tabletop kiln. We want to see YOUR interpretation of a Kiln God or Goddess to protect this space, bring good luck to every firing, and stand watch over the heart of our ceramics community. ✨

What You Need to Know:

🗓️ Registration Window: Now – September 18th (5pm sharp – this deadline is unmovable!)

📅 Exhibition Opening: September 25th, 2026, 5:30pm

📍 Location: The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga

🎟️ Entry is FREE! No entry fee.

🛍️ All artworks will be for sale (25% commission + GST applies)

👥 No limit on entries – submit as many as you like!

PLUS: We're running a People's Choice Award – so the public gets a say too! 🗳️

Full details including delivery dates, tagging requirements, and T&Cs are available when you register.

Ready to answer the call? Register now at the link below!

🔗 www.theincubator.co.nz/event-details/calling-for-submissions-kiln-gods-exhibition

01/08/2026

The Incubator is THRILLED to announce the opening of our new Kiln Shed—an exciting new addition to the creative offerings and opportunities that make up The Incubator! 🏺✨ This uber cute red shed—full of character and personality—is the embodiment of a long-held dream to create a dedicated ceramics resource, and it's finally happening!

The journey to this moment began eight years ago with a feasibility study, which led to the purchase of our large community kiln—and now, at last, it has a home! We've been working with The Historic Village ever since to find the perfect spot for this community asset, and we are so grateful for their partnership and support in making this dream a reality. 🙏

The Kiln Shed now gives us two kilns—one large and one small—ready to fire! We can finally offer firing services to the public, become a go-to spot for clay supplies, and run workshops—with all classes held just next door in the Creative Campus! 🎨🔥

What to expect:
✅ Kiln firings for groups, individuals, kura (schools) and businesses
✅ Ceramics workshops (held next door in the Creative Campus)
✅ Clay and pottery supplies

Booking details will be available online once we open our doors. Stay tuned for the official opening date! 🗓️

📸 Check out our adorable new Kiln Shed—so much personality in one little building!

❓Who guessed what this building would be . . . and who already knew 😉

03/07/2026

What a great Matariki launch of Cera'muka, first solo exhibition by UKU artist Hayley Smith last night.

Ko Mauo te Maunga, ko Tauranga te Moana, ko Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi Te Rangi ngā iwi

Hayley Smith is a Tauranga Moana artist whose practice is deeply rooted in the whenua and the materials Papatūānuku provides. Working across uku (clay), earth pigments, harakeke, and canvas, Hayley's work tells stories of place, history, and the people who have moved through it.

This Matariki, Hayley presents a symphony of hand-sculpted ceramics with traditional Māori origins. Whakarākei — a collection of adornments — brings together muka, extracted from harakeke/flax, with uku ceramics thoughtfully prepared for the Matariki season. Each piece is glazed and fired using community kilns, and represents many years of accumulated knowledge and creative practice.
This is Hayley's work at its most personal — a celebration of material, tradition, and the quiet power of making something beautiful with your hands.

📅 On now until 25th July
📍 The Pot House part of The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga Historic Village
🆓 Free entry

03/07/2026

🌟 Tomorrow night = clear skies + art + good vibes! 🌟

The stars are aligning for our Matariki Programme Launch – literally! The forecast is looking beautiful and clear, so we're ready for a magical night under the stars at The Incubator.

🎶 Live music | 🍷 Bar | 🧀 Grazing platter | 3 fabulous new exhibitions
📅 Tomorrow, Friday 3rd July | 5.30pm–7pm
📍 The Incubator, Tauranga Historic Village

Come for the art, stay for the whānau vibes. We can't wait to see you there! ✨

03/07/2026

They say lightning doesn't strike twice... but we're betting on it. ⚡🔴

Way back when, a certain Red Barn (you know the one) planted the seed for The Incubator Creative Hub. That shed held big dreams.

So when we say we're building a new Little Red Shed next to the Creative Campus... you know it's going to be something special.

This one's been years in the making, and we're close to pulling back the curtain.

Comment below: What magical thing do you think is hatching inside this new Little Red Shed? If you're in the know - let's see what others think it might be👀

27/06/2026

📸 What a night! 🎉

Despite the pouring rain, you amazing people showed up and filled the Village with warmth, energy, and aroha for local art. Thank YOU to everyone who braved the weather to support our artists – you are the heartbeat of Tauranga's art scene. ❤️☔

We loved seeing Bethlehem College students dancing in the rain to the amazing musicians they provided. Pure joy. 🎶💃🕺

The launch was magic, and the exhibitions are incredible!

The Incubator: Drift – Damien Kurth's incredible trompe l'oeil paintings
The Pot House: Coming Undone – Jo Harris's powerful black clay works
The People’s Gallery – Toi Ka Rere: Tūrangawaewae – Bethlehem College seniors finding their voice
Imprint Cube Gallery: – intimate printmaker treasures

🎨 Come see them for yourself.

The galleries are dry, warm, and waiting for you. No rain inside – just art that will move you.

📅 On now until 27th June
📍 The Incubator Creative Hub, Tauranga Historic Village
🆓 Free entry

Tag someone you'd bring along 👇

06/06/2026