australianceramics.com - Ceramic News December 2009

Ceramic News December 2009

Latest News from The Australian Ceramics Association

from Barbara Campbell Allen (Acting President, TACA)  

There has been significant change in the Sydney ceramic gallery scene where we have seen the closure of the Freeland Gallery and the imminent closure of the Helen Stephens Gallery. Both galleries have been active in promoting ceramic art in their own distinctive manner and have contributed greatly to ceramic art in Sydney. Luckily both directors have a passion for ceramic art that will ensure their continued activity in the ceramic world. As an organisation we thank them and wish them well in their future endeavours. In the just published Journal of Australian Ceramics there is a focus on modes of selling with five artists discussing their own approach and experiences. The exhibiting and selling of our work is a continual challenge!

Another major change in the ceramic world has been the new format for the Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramics Award. Two ceramic artists will be chosen to produce a major new body of work. This will compliment other national awards by providing a unique exhibiting opportunity for one Australian and one international ceramic artist. Our regional galleries continue to be important supporters of ceramic art and we are especially thankful for our ongoing relationship with Manly Regional Art Gallery and Museum.

Paralleling the above changes is the ongoing struggle to keep specialist ceramic education opportunities open. Vicki and some of our committee and those involved in TAFE NSW continue the fight to preserve ceramic courses to enable ceramic skills to be taught to a new generation. This dialogue has been going for nearly 8 years, but it is critical that it continues.

News
Stephen Bowers, Director of South Australia’s Jam Factory since 2004, has announced his resignation to pursue other opportunities and devote time to his own ceramics practice. The search for a new leader of the organisation is currently underway.

The Identifying Australian Pottery forum has outgrown its current location and has been moved to www.flickr.com/groups/austpots/. You will need to register as a flickr user before joining/rejoining the group. Judith Pearce is building a discussion thread with links to all of the discussions posted at the old forum.

Vale: Peter Laycock, VIC; Brian Tetlow, VIC; Ern Thomas, VIC

Next Meeting
Wed 20 January, 2010, 6.30pm
Venue: To be advised
All members are welcome.
17 March, 19 May, 21 July, 15 September (AGM) 17 November

New Members
We welcome these new members: 
Lee Goller, Anne Fleming, Annette Reid, Carmen Grostal, Claire Sloan, Rachel Zimmermann, Ceramics Arts Association of Western Australia, Alana McVeigh, Kristin Scherlies, Rowley Drysdale, Dawn Csutoros, Tim White, Tracy Moore, Jennifer Mai Hall, Ruth Green, Carolyn Teo, Michelle Agius-Hall, Vivienne Litson, Robynne Carey, Owen Carpenter, Catherine Tate, Melanie Sharpham, Raymond Laurens, Cath Fogarty, Christine MacKinnon, Stephen Carroll, Mandy McDonald, Annica Stenvall Batt, The Studio @ Flinders Gallery, Wendy Austin and Ann-Maree Gentile.

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