Uniting community and the arts

SMYTHES Creek ceramicist Barry Wemyss has been nominated for the Golden Plains Shire’s Citizen of the Year Award for 2021.

Mr Wemyss is the man behind the annual Smythesdale Arts and Music Fiesta which showcases the district’s creativity, and is the current president of local creative network Golden Plains Arts Inc.

A passionate volunteer and advocate for the arts, both performing and visual, he has been a member of the Strategy Community Reference Group, contributing to the development of the municipality’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy.

He’s had his own Red Echidna Studios for more than 20 years but wasn’t always a ceramicist.

“I was initially a turner and fitter for half my working life. It was interesting and I worked my way up to making primarily big underground water valves,” he said.

The work, however, was heavy, and it damaged Wemyss’ back, so he changed his career.

“The other half of my working life was spent at the University of Ballarat in the arts school. My life was very different, and I was exposed to other people, beliefs and cultures, you name it. Not just art itself,” he said.

“It was a whole new world, very rewarding, and offered lots of personal development.

“Working at the university is why I have the beliefs that I do, of bringing the community to the arts, and the arts to the community.

“Since then, advocating for the arts has just been something I’ve believed firmly in.”

Mr Wemyss is also nominated for Senior Citizen of the Year.

Other nominees for the Golden Plains Shire’s Citizen of the Year Award for 2021 are Kath Bourke of Bannockburn, Rob McHenry of Inverleigh, Jo Sibbison of Rokewood, and Stuart McCallum of Bannockburn.