Nice Assets

About Nice Assets

Nice Assets is the work of Nicole Gaston, a Wellington-based craftswoman who creates fun colourful ceramics.

Follow me on @nice.assets for regular updates.

Get in touch if you’d like to visit me at my studio in Aro Valley.

Please note studio visits are by appointment only.

Background and kaupapa

I am an immigrant to Pōneke, Aotearoa where I have lived the last 15 years, making things from clay, working in libraries, and riding my bicycle around. I love teaching and learning and my jobs with school libraries around the country and as the library manager at Te Kura o Toi Whakaari, as well as teaching pottery from my home studio.

I like to think I am finding ways to fight supremacist structures and ecological devastation in some ways with my work both in clay and libraries. I’m trying to be hopeful about the future and find & spread as much joy as I can while I’m here on this planet.

I’m currently the chair of the Ceramics Association of New Zealand where I work with a lot of awesome people to support clay workers and build a strong and inclusive ceramics sector.

Exhibitions and awards

Tea set with political message 'ask me about why white privilege', 'ask me about my capital gains from stolen land', etc.
‘Decolonise my breakfast’, white stoneware, Ceramicus 2019. Photo by Chris Parkin.

In 2018 I won the Waikato Ceramics award for Best First-time Exhibitor at the annual Ceramicus exhibition.

I also exhibited work in the 2019 Ceramicus exhibition (photograph above) and the KINK 2021 group show.

woman standing in pottery studio photograph by Andrew Ross

et cetera

In addition to pots I make lots of other stuff, at my home workshop in Aro Valley, Wellington, Aotearoa.

I am also help out with the Mechanical Tempest Community Bike Workshop, and the Pyramid Club/Sound and Light Exploration Society.

Portrait at my Newtown studio by Andrew Ross, 2020.