Fiftieth anniversaries are normally golden — but for Canberra Potters, the leading ceramic arts organisation in the ACT, clay’s the thing.
Founded in 1975 by 13 graduates of the Canberra School of Art, the organisation, based at the Watson Arts Centre, has grown from a small support network into a fully integrated ceramics centre, with workshops, teaching studios, a glazing room, electric and gas kilns, a gallery, a retail shop, and accommodation for artists in residence.
“We are one of the few ceramic-specific organisations in Australia that offer this diversity of activity in one space,” says CEO Jessi England. “There’s a beautiful community that exists around it. Artists and teachers are very generous with their knowledge. There’s a lot of sharing of practice — coming together to fire, even to make together.”
Pottery is one of the oldest mediums and practices, going back thousands of years, Ms England explains. Both its uses (functional, sculptural, conceptual) and methods (clays, glazes, firing techniques) are incredibly diverse:
“A huge amount of skill, science, and artistry happens in that form.”
That diversity is showcased at the organisation’s major ceramic exhibition, which closes this Sunday. It displays 65 works produced over the last year by some of the organisation’s 700 members ranging from emerging practitioners to internationally regarded artists.
“There’s a huge variety of work in the exhibition,” Ms England said. “It celebrates the incredible depth and diversity of pottery and ceramics practice undertaken by our members, from vessels and sculptural forms to abstract works to figurative sculptural works.”
Exhibiting artists include Cathy Franzi, winner of the Lanyon Arts Prize and recently inducted into the International Academy of Ceramics. Canberra Potters now counts four Academy members among its lifelong membership.
This year’s major Doug Alexander Memorial Award has been increased to a $5,000 cash prize, awarded to respected ceramicist Malcolm Cooke.
Other prizes recognise wheel-throwing, hand-building, sculpture and emerging practice, supported by partners including Craft + Design Canberra, the Australian Ceramics Association, Keane Ceramics, Northcote Pottery and Walker Ceramics.
A new Professional Development Award, offered by internationally acclaimed ceramicist Janet DeBoos, was introduced this year. The inaugural winner, Jacqui Keogh, will receive one-on-one mentorship.
To mark its 50th anniversary, the organisation has completed a new kiln shed, supported by ACT Government infrastructure funding.
TV shows like The Great Pottery Throw Down have made the broader public interested in pottery, and Canberra Potters is a place to learn the art. It runs 28 to 30 classes each week, as well as master classes, short courses, and intensives, catering for beginners through to advanced ceramicists.
“You can really just have a play, dip your hand in, have a bit of fun, learn something new, do something with your friends, even, or by yourself,” Ms England said. “If it’s something that interests you, you can continue to learn, whatever level you’re at — you can grow and develop, or just play.”
Not only is pottery creative, it is also calming and enhances one’s wellbeing, Ms England believes.
“It’s a wonderful activity to work with your hands, your mind, your imagination. The art of being focused, learning, making is very grounding and connecting. If you’re doing something on the wheel, you have to be focused, otherwise you’re going to make a mess everywhere!”
Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre, 1 Aspinall Street, Watson, open Tuesday 10am to 4pm and Sunday 11am to 3pm. For more information, visit https://canberrapotters.com.au/
