BUMPER WEEK AT STURT

It has been a joyful time at Sturt with three fabulous events in the one week. First, we welcomed back and honoured acclaimed ceramicist, Les Blakebrough AM with a very special crowd of friends and family along with the pantheon of Australian craft and design celebrating the launch of his memoirs. Tributes flowed in for the former Head of Sturt Pottery and Director of Sturt who returned 50 years later to regale us with stories of his lifetime achievements in Ceramics. It was a significant day for Sturt, reinforcing Sturt’s important role in championing contemporary craft in Australia.

80 YEARS IN THE MAKING

That same evening supporters, makers and long-time friends of Sturt joined to help us celebrate Sturt’s 80-year anniversary. Former head of Sturt Pottery, Paul Davis spoke about how as a maker ‘you may leave Sturt but Sturt never leaves you’. Actor, comedian and long-time supporter of Sturt, Noeline Brown talked about her house full of the work by Sturt makers and shared with us one of her Ray Norman jewellery treasures. Sarah McGarry led the toast, and rounding off a most memorable and heart-warming celebration was the enchanting sounds by the Urshula Leung Jazz Duet – fresh from MONA in Hobart.

WOOD SCHOOL FLOWS OVER

Last weekend the Sturt School for Wood students’ celebrated their graduation from their Cert IV in Fine Furniture Design and Technology at Clubbe Hall followed by a celebration and exhibition of their stunning work in Sturt Gallery. It was a culmination of a year’s dedication and hard work from all 12 students who flourished under the guidance of Sturt’s master furniture tutors. Acclaimed architect Richard Leplastrier AO joined us as special guest for the opening and inspired guests with his words of wisdom about timber and sustainability. 

Liam Starcevich won the Studio Woodworkers Australia Student of the Year Award, and it is not surprising that many of our wood students have already been offered jobs in fine furniture studios. You can still see their inspiring hand-crafted furniture at FLOW, their graduate exhibition which is on in Sturt Gallery for the next two weeks.   

GIFT IDEA If you know someone interested in exploring wood working, 10-day beginners course this January with master maker Peter Young is the perfect Christmas gift for someone who is curious about starting their journey with fine furniture. To find out more go to https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/short-courses

WHAT IF POPS UP AGAIN – Saturday 27 November 9.30am

After a hugely successful first collaboration last month, The What If Society are coming back to Sturt this Saturday to bring us their mouth-watering freshly cooked take home meals, sour dough and locally grown produce. We were taken by surprise with the popularity of our first event and we sold out in the first hour! This time to avoid disappointment you can also pre-order online direct from What If and pick up at Sturt this Saturday between 10am-12pm. 

Super special Take Me Home Saturday night treats include how about Pork and Fennel Meatballs, Soft Polenta, Greens, Ricotta Dumplings, Spring Peas, Buttered Leeks, Pine Nut Praline, Garlic Sourdough. Go online https://www.thewhatifsociety.com/shop/home and choose pick up at Sturt. If you cannot order online, fear not, Eilish and her team will be arriving with loads more fresh-from-the-oven treats for you to enjoy. 

LAST CHANCE SUMMER SCHOOL 2022

Summer School 2022 is shaping up to be a fantastic way to kick off the new year. Many classes are fully booked but we have a few more places left to learn colour etching with legendary printmaker Basil Hall, or with Steve Williams exploring textures on ceramic surfaces, pastels, drawing, millinery, creative stitching and more.  To find out about the Summer School courses visit: https://www.sturt.nsw.edu.au/education/summer-school

CHRISTMAS SHOPPING EVENING AND NEW EXHIBITION

It is hard to believe it is that time again and with everything opening back up it is a busier lead up to Christmas than most. One way to get organised for Christmas is to come along to Sturt's Christmas Shopping Evening and you can sip bubbles, enjoy live music and grab a hot bite from the What If Society while you shop for beautiful hand-crafted gifts from Australia's finest master makers. As a bonus you can also be the first to see Sturt’s new exhibition, The Gesture of Narrative. This exhibition brings together artists who have translated their narrative across different mediums that encompass printmaking, painting, textile, and sculpture. Featuring works by Andrew Antoniou, Veronica Cay, Vince Vozzo, Jane Theua, Victoria Pitel, Amanda Schleser and Slavica Zivkovic, and runs until 6 February 2022. As a Christmas treat, we also have enchanting live music from Urshula Leung's Jazz Duet (back by popular demand). The celebration starts at 4pm and wraps at 7pm.

To keep up with all the latest news, exhibitions and events, follow us on Instagram @sturtgalleryandstudios or on facebook. We look forward to welcoming you to Sturt again very soon.

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt