The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 51 No 2 July 2012

Editorial
------- -----
If flexibility drives your decision-making when
seeking to broaden your ceramics skills, there are
many possibilities to consider away from formal
educational institutions, I recently attended a
woodfiring workshop with Barbara Campbell-Allen
at Gaya Ceramic Art Centre in Bali. Here we are at
the end of the firing in May 2012 _
Although we know that change is inevitable, most of us remain challenged by the fact that almost
every aspect of current ceramic practice is different to that of a decade or two ago_ Despite stand-alone
ceramics courses being absorbed into visual arts curriculum in TAFEs around the country, and other
ceramic facilities closing down, there are also new opportunities opening up for those with creative
and proactive approaches_ The new Art and Craft Department of Batchelor Institute of Indigenous
Tertiary Education (BIITE) is one such example and we wish them every success! Karen Weiss' article
on several innovative and resourceful ceramics departments may get you thinking; as well as working
energetically within their institutions, they are also interacting more broadly in their local communities_
Creative problem solving and a positive, flexible attitude are pushing people into areas which they may
have previously rejected_ RMIT University and their bold new hybrid object-based courses are one such
example. In our annual survey of graduate ceramic work, it's also stimulating to see such variety in
the work being made. I think we underestimate the achievements made as we adapt to the changes
happening in the education sector.
And, despite ceramics not being part of traditional Indigenous craft practice, the diversity of ceramic
forms and surfaces shown in this issue illustrate that Indigenous artists are finding the ceramic medium
well suited to the translation of their stories_ Our coverage of the biennial Indigenous Ceramic Art
Award (offered by Shepparton Art Museum) illustrates the benefits of such encouragement and
acknowledgement in this growing sector of ceramic art practice.
And talking of change _.. we will soon be introducing a digital version of The Journal of Australian
Ceramics (JAC). Digital JAC will soon be available wherever you are in the world, together with a few
added interactive features_ Look out for its release on our website, wwwaustralianceramics.com, and via
our networks.
I hope to see you in Adelaide for Subversive Clay, the 2012 Australian Ceramics Triennale _
The gang down south have been working really hard to make Adelaide the city of ceramics during 4
action-packed days in late September. There'll be a plethora of opportunities for everyone to overdose
on ceramics, so come along and enjoy!
PS A meeting will be chaired by The Australian Ceramics
Association in Adelaide at ACT 2012 to discuss future
Australian Ceramics Triennales.
~.
2 THE JOURNAL Of AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULV 2012