MUGOFF
A competition open to all - where mugs of all shapes and sizes battle it out. Check out the competition or give a new mug a good home.
October 2026
6:00 – 7:30pm
A proper Mug Off is coming to The Coolstore Gallery this Nelson Clay Week and for the rest of October. We're celebrating the humble mug in all its glory - from beautifully simple to wildly weird - with a cheeky, crowd-loving competition open to ceramic artists of all ages and stages.
The gallery will be loaded with mugs for the duration of Clay Week, and yes - they're all up for grabs. Visitors cast their vote for the coveted People's Choice award while a panel of judges decides the rest.
Come for the mugs. Stay for the Mug Off.
The Categories
The workhorse mug done beautifully. Functional, considered, made for daily life.
Push the form. Weird is welcome - as long as it still holds liquid.
Mugs with a face, a story, or a personality all their own.
Open to young makers. A colouring/design option is available for those without access to a wheel or kiln.
Voted by gallery visitors throughout Clay Week. Every entry is automatically in the running.
Enter in Four Steps
Fill in the form below by 10 September 2026. Free to enter. Up to 3 mugs per artist.
Arrange delivery to The Coolstore Gallery between 11–28 September 2026.
Your mug joins the exhibition from 2 October 2026. All mugs are for sale throughout the show.
Judges decide the category winners. Visitors vote People's Choice. Cash prizes for main categories.
Requirements & Pricing
- Must be entirely handmade - decorating a purchased mug is not permitted
- Must be primarily ceramic - small embellishments are permitted at the judges' discretion, but the main form must be ceramic
- Must be functional - able to hold liquid (leak-proof)
- Minimum to at least be glazed on the inside and on the rim
- Capacity between 60ml and 350ml
- Must have a handle
- Maximum 3 entries per artist
- Free to enter - open to all ages and stages
- Gallery commission applies to all sales
- Artists are responsible for delivery and return of their mug
To keep things consistent we've set a range of retail price points - you'll select one for each mug when you fill in the form below. If your work sits outside these options, get in touch before submitting.
Exhibition Opening
Join us for the public opening at The Coolstore Gallery on Māpua Wharf. All welcome. Come see the competition before the crowds do.
1st October
Submit Your Mug
Fill in your details below and we'll be in touch to confirm your entry. Entry is free. Please read the requirements above before submitting.
Mugs must be delivered to The Coolstore Gallery between 11–28 September 2026.