Renowned potters from all over the country made the pilgrimage to Sturt last Sunday to celebrate a marvellous milestone for one of Australia’s oldest and most significant potteries. The ground-breaking event paid tribute to the countless craftspeople whose curiosity, dedication and innovation led them to spend a lifetime perfecting their practice, devoting their hearts to clay in this very special place in the Highlands.

We started the day with demonstrations by Steve Williams, on Sturt’s historic kick wheel from the 1950s where Steve crafted one of his 70 limited edition numbered plates made especially for the occasion. Even more special, in the audience were Sally Gordon nee Whittall (Frensham 1969) and Trisha Belamey nee King (Frensham1956) who had both learned pottery on that actual wheel in the 50’s.  Bernadette Mansfield, Editor of esteemed international magazine Ceramics: Art + Perception delivered a powerful speech about Winifred West, her vision for Sturt, its cultural significance and the responsibility for us to take care of this world icon of creativity. The speech was so beautiful we’ve put it up on the website for you to read here. Bernadette officially opened our 70^th anniversary exhibition, TERRA NOVA showcasing new work of 35 remarkable potters who have lived, worked and taught at Sturt over the decades. Paul Davis, Hiroe Swen, Owen Rye, Malcolm Greenwood, Jeff Mincham, Simone Fraser and Mitsuo Shoji are just some of the distinguished potters in the stellar line up, including 5 Ernabella artists, 2 of whom travelled all the way from remote South Australia to be at the open.

The afternoon was spent listening to fascinating artists’ talks by Grace Cochrane AM, Susie McMeekin, Jann Kesby and Steve Williams, Paul Davis, Ben Richardson and Janet DeBoos who shared their memories of the pottery over the decades, along with all the incredibly talented potters who had come from all over the world as artists in residence.  Jann Kesby who trained here in the early 80s joined Steve to talk about their platter project, made from pressing clay into the historic saggars used for firing in the pottery in the 50s and 60s. Jann and Steve each made and fired 35 plates in the woodfire kiln, each numbered and dated, now available to buy in the gallery.

Janet DeBoos talked about the history of indigenous ceramics and the long friendship between Ernabella and Sturt, two of Australia’s oldest design centres. Visitors visited the Archive Gallery where they viewed work left to the Sturt permanent collection and they walked around the outdoor kilns to see the repaired anagama kiln and new woodshed.  It was a beautiful autumn day none of us will forget. For those of you interested in outstanding pottery, TERRA NOVA is open in Sturt Gallery every day until 16 July and all work is for sale.

SHORT COURSES

Over the weekend Education Officer, Phoebe Middleton was facilitating workshops in the pottery and jewellery studios.  Minna Graham, current Potters’ Choice Winner of the year from Melbourne, led a workshop about throwing and altering large forms while Melinda Young guided eager students to make their own contemporary jewellery out of found objects. Click here to find out about our new Short Courses and weekend workshops.

FINAL CHANCE TO BOOK STURT WINTER SCHOOL

There  just a few places left to nurture your creativity this winter with an inspiring creative week in the Southern Highlands.  Learn to weave, throw pottery, create nature inspired basketry, paint, make unique jewellery, furniture and more from Australia’s finest master makers.

Stay with us on site and enjoy morning yoga, massages and fascinating artists talks with all your meals catered for. Locals too can enjoy all the workshops, lunch with us, artists talks and the buzz of collective kindred creative spirits in gorgeous garden surrounds.  Find out why art lovers come back to Sturt year after year. Make the most of Australia’s pioneering design centre and school for contemporary craft – a cultural treasure on your doorstep. July 3-7  Head to Winter School to discover more.

Kristie Phelan
Head of Sturt