The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 50 No 2 July 2011

Editor: Vicki Grima
The Reedy Marsh Woodlire Challenge judging panel,
Andrew Bryant. Elaine 0 Henry and Vicki Grima,
resplendent in VB beer carton crowns; photo: Alana Blanch
As I worked on various articles in this issue, I was reminded
of the strong ceramics community that surrounds us in
Australia, with four fabulous days at Woodfire TAS 2011, two
weeks of passionate discussion on the email discussion list
(following my posting on 23 May of Susie McMeekins WEDGE
article from issue 5011), and the support shown on the June
long weekend to Gundaroo potters Ian Jones and Moraig
McKenna after a fire destroyed their house and gallery.
The strength of the connections, the ease with which new
bonds are made and the generosity of everyone in sharing
knowledge, experience, time and creativity, is inspiring. As
life constantly reminds us, change is around us wherever we
look, and it is our readiness to accept that reality that will
lead us to find new solutions to current issues, especially
those challenges which we face in the education sector. I
enjoyed listening to Torbj0rn Kvasb0, in his opening speech
at Inside Woodfire: fifty Australian stories, as he reminded us to reach outside our ceramics world
to connect with the broader community so that we can grow in new, exciting ways. There are several
inspiring examples in this issue of pEi"ople who do that - potters like Malcolm Greenwood, Janetta Kerr­
Grant, Sally Gordon and Christopher Plumridge who are collaborating with design companies, cookbook
w riters, restaurateurs and glass artists to create a point of difference with their beautiful tableware;
craft centres like the Jam Factory in Adelaide that became an integral part of the local film festival event,
providing 1000 bowls; and many ceramics students who are exploring the medium in new ways as they
attend the tertiary institutions around the country. This diverse, sometimes challenging, work is shown
on pages within this issue.
Our new blog, http://jacpromotion2011.com, is up and running to mark the 50th anniversary of the
publication of The journal of Australian Ceramics (JAC). Around thirty ceramicists, drawn from JAC's
education pages over the last ten years, are participating in an online conversation about their work and
how the journal has acted as an educational, research and promotional tool. Their conversations will
provide material for a special exhibition in December 2011 at Manly Art Gallery and Museum. Check out
their studios, and hear about their latest projects in (he upcoming months.
And last, but not least. The Australian Ceramics Association is now taking applications for
The Trudie Alfred Bequest Ceramics Scholarships, a generous project which will help up to
5 students a year continue their ceramics study. Read about it on our last page (128),
then spread the word within your community.
~.
Editor's notes:
To view folders of Woodfire TAS 201 1 images, go to www.woodfiretasmania.com.au
To check out the archived messages from the email discussion,
visit http://tinyurl.com/discussionlistarchive.
To participate in our new blog, join us at http://jacpromotion2011.com
2 THE IOURNAl OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS IUlY 2011