Annual opening to celebrate ceramicists

CLAY shapers and potters in the Ballarat region and surrounds will soon invite everyone into their place of creativity as part of Australian Ceramics Association’s annual Open Studios program.

Returning next month for its 11th year, the initiative will see more than 200 ceramicists opening up their spaces nationwide.

Australian Ceramics Association CEO Debbie Pryor said the two-day event is all about highlighting ceramics and the people that create them.

“It’s an opportunity to celebrate ceramics in all its forms. There’s no one way to be a ceramicist or potter or hobbyist or artist,” she said.

“That’s the beauty of open studios, it’s displaying the breadth of working with the medium. The same goes for the studios.

“I think it’s really inspiring for artists and buyers to be able to see the space a work is created in. It’s something we’re inherently curious about.”

The program has traditionally been only for Australian Ceramics Association members, but this year marks the first it’s been opened up for all ceramicists to participate.

Barry Wemyss is again taking part and will be displaying his works with his partner Myra out of their shared Red Echidna Studios space at Smythes Creek.

The studio is run out of an extension to Wemyss’ shed which he’s used as a creative environment for about 30 years.

“For me, it’s always about engaging with the public and giving them the opportunity to see not just my fellow artist Myra and other ceramicists who take part,” he said.

“My work is more functional and wheel stone-made while Myra’s is more hand built with decorative vessels.”

Red Echidna Studios is one of three studios in the region that will be opening up for the program, with Ross Creek Gallery Group also at Smythes Creek, and Edith Cattell’s Crafty Dingo Ceramics at Ross Creek.

The Open Studios program will take place on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 November.

Participating artists and their studios can be viewed via an interactive map at the Australian Ceramics Association website.