Nine To Noon Country's most beloved ceramics museum closes
Nov 9, 2025
Rick Rudd, a veteran ceramicist and founder of the Quartz Museum, shares insights about the museum's closure, citing funding and health issues. He discusses its impressive collection of over 4,600 works, highlighting its importance to New Zealand's art scene. Professional potter Paul Masique elaborates on how the museum benefits local artists and emphasizes the need for community support to ensure its future. Together, they underline the museum's role in preserving New Zealand's ceramic heritage and its potential for public engagement.
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Founder Closure Linked To Personal Limits
- Rick Rudd closed the Quartz Museum to the public because he cannot sustain the physical and mental workload alone anymore.
- He plans a limited reopening (Boxing Day and three months a year) while seeking funding or patrons to staff it.
Collection Swelled By Major Bequest
- The Quartz collection grew from Rick's small start to over 4,600 works, boosted hugely by Simon Manchester's 2,700-piece bequest.
- Rick describes the museum as a rare, focused national collection unlike most major museums' displays.
A Century Of NZ Studio Ceramics
- The museum's focus is almost entirely New Zealand studio ceramics spanning about 100 years.
- International works are minimal and the collection fills a unique national and global niche.