The Kilns at Te Horo
Celebrating the legacy of Mirek Smíšek and creating future inspiration
.OPEn Thurs - Sun 10am to 4pm
entry $5 (donation)
resident artist:tinni arora
exhibition of tinni's work: 22 sept
Applications open for 2025/26 residencies - see below for details.
The Kilns at Te Horo
NOW OPEN
Open every Thursday - Sunday, 10am- 4pm
Entry by donation of $5 per person
- run by a Charitable Trust, all donations and support are appreciated.
Located at Jim Winiata Way - off School Rd on the eastern side of the over-bridge at Te Horo.
Visit this exciting project, centred around Mirek Smíšek's hand-built brick beehive kilns, located where Smíšek created a hub for ceramic art for more than 40 years. Celebrating the legacy of the past and again becoming a lively and inspirational place.
Join us as volunteer staff - just a few hours a week - or take on other tasks. Join the mailing list to keep up to date with news and events.
ARTIST IN RESIDENCE PROGRAMME
We offer an artist in residence programme - living and working on site with a variety of kilns for the potter to use, including a brick salt/soda kiln as Mirek himself used. An important element of our kopapa - to support ceramics and ceramic artists.
Application forms and more details can be requested by emailing thekilnsattehoro@gmail.com
Open now are applications for:
April/May/June 2025
July/Aug/Sept 2025
Oct 2025 - March 2026 (six months)
WELCOME NEW RESIDENT ARTIST: TINNI ARORA
Tinni is at The Kilns working in the Blumhardt Studio until 24th September. Call in to say hello!
From New Delhi, she is a skilled studio potter and teacher, specializing in tableware and miniature pottery. Trained under the guidance of Ms Rachna Parasher in India and with a year long apprenticeship at Leach Pottery in England Tinni has developed a deep appreciation for functional pottery and miniature ceramic art - similar to making regular sized pots she creates a variety of miniatures including teapots, jugs, casserole dishes with lids, spouts and handles meticulously crafted on a regular sized wheel.
Workshop - sign up to Tinni's workshop where you will take part in a baltic Raku firing called Obvara. Date: 15th September Booking details coming soon.
Exhibition: Tinni's end of Residency show will be at The Kilns on 22nd September. 11am - 3pm. All work for sale. Eftpos available. Date for your diary!
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SHOW YOUR SUPPORT - BUY A BRICK for $250
Brick tiles are hand built and stamped with your name can be purchased for $250. The tiles will be displayed alongside the Mirek Smisek bee-hive kilns. Funds will help the charitable Trust keep the kilns site open to the public four days a week throughout the year, and for further developments.
To buy copy and paste into your browser the link below, or email Thekilnsattehoro@gmail.com
https://thekilns.helloclub.com/public/event/65134b8b261723aed7be84dc/buy-a-brick-250
Mirek Smíšek
Mirek Smíšek is an internationally celebrated ceramic artist who lived and worked at Te Horo, New Zealand from 1969 to 1997.
Mirek’s life was dedicated to his craft. He began working with clay in Australia in 1948, after having left his devastated homeland, Czechoslovakia, at the end of World War II.
Moving to New Zealand in 1951 Mirek joined Crown Lynn Pottery in Auckland where he experimented with free-flowing Bohemian decorative vases.
Leaving behind factory production he moved to Nelson where by 1956 he became New Zealand's first fulltime independent studio potter.
In the 1960s he worked a year at the Leach Pottery in England and studied in Japan. Smíšek was influenced by the Leach Ango-Japanese ascetic then proceeded to develop his own distinctive forms.
Smíšek was awarded an OBE in recognition of his work in 1990 and in 2008 the Czech Government presented him with the Medal of the Senate for his contributions to Czech culture.
OUR VISION
Hei whakahihiri, hei whakaako me te whakanui.
To inspire, educate and celebrate.
Mirek Smíšek’s iconic beehive kilns at Te Horo were a hub of ceramic excellence for more than 40 years. We are building on his legacy by preserving the kilns, restoring the land and buildings and becoming a unique community hub again – for future inspiration, education and celebration. There is native bush to explore, a resident potter working on site, and will be kiln-openings, exhibitions, events and more through out the year.
It is managed by The Miek Smisek Arts Trust - a charitable trust.
The Kilns at Te Horo is an exciting visitor destination and a new attraction on the Kapiti Coast.
Become one of the team
Join us and become part of the team to help with The Kilns at Te Horo.
A place where ceramic history is told and future experiences are made.
Where the legacy of Mirek Smíšek lives on!
Volunteers are needed to staff the Kilns on days open to the public (Thurs - Sun). Lots of other roles too.
Enquire or registered below
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Show your support by buying a brick - handmade featuring your name and on display at The Kilns. $250
Go to thekilns.helloclub.com
Join the mailing list to get behind the scenes update, invitations to events and much more.
The Kilns at Te Horo
Click on the images below to learn more about The Kilns at Te Horo
About the Trust
A group of local residents saw the opportunity to honour Mirek Smisek’s life and art and create a multi-cultural arts centre when work began on the Otaki-Peka Peka section of the expressway (SH1).
From a germ of an idea the concept has grown with the support of the community, Kapiti Coast’s Mayor and Councillors, Waka Kotahi, Fletchers and Heritage New Zealand leading to the formal foundation of a charitable entity: The Mirek Smíšek Arts Trust in 2019.
Bringing ‘The Kilns at Te Horo’ alive has been a significant undertaking by many people who have already given time and resources. And the work goes on! There is plenty yet to do to make it happen.
Keep up to date. Or join us.
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Contact Us
Opening late 2023
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