Annual opening to celebrate ceramicists

CLAY shapers and potters in the Bendigo region and surrounds will soon invite people interested in the craft 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. Some people’s are a carport, some are a kitchen bench, and some have purpose-built spaces.

“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 open for only Australian Ceramics Association members to take part, and this year marks the first in which it’s been opened up for all ceramicists to participate.

Felicity will open up her Felicity Ceramics space Myers Flat for the first time as part of the event, having taken part previously in it through the Central Victorian Potters Clay Trail when she lived in Castlemaine.

She said she’s excited to introduce herself to a new region.

“I’m looking forward to sharing my work with Bendigo,” she said.

“I think it’s something different to make my work completely off grid using solar power. I’ll have my range of market stall displays from function fare to decorative pieces.

“It’s about reducing carbon emissions in my practice. I’m looking into sourcing local materials and I schedule my firing around best outcomes with the sun.”

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.