The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013
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Artist in Residence<br />
Highly visible - a graduating<br />
student's perspective on<br />
the need for education and<br />
widening skills base<br />
A report by Anne Masters<br />
After re-reading Karen Weiss', Highly Visible - Winning Strategies for <strong>Ceramics</strong> Departments', I<br />
was keen to follow with an article from a graduating student's perspedive and reassess the need for<br />
education at any stage to attrad young or mature pr<strong>of</strong>essionals in the visual arts sector. This article will<br />
outline the important role played by teaching staff beyond the point <strong>of</strong> graduation as illustrated by my<br />
mentors and networking in two residencies - one local and one international.<br />
Here I am in <strong>2013</strong>, post-university with a Master <strong>of</strong> Visual Arts, at the beginning <strong>of</strong> what will<br />
hopefully be a long career as a pr<strong>of</strong>essional ceramic artist. Prior to attending the <strong>Australian</strong> National<br />
University's School <strong>of</strong> Art (ANU SOA) <strong>Ceramics</strong> Workshop, I held various positions in local and federal<br />
government, finishing as journal editor for the <strong>Australian</strong> Federal Police. Previously I had worked for<br />
advertising agencies in Sydney and Canberra - heady days as I fulfilled client briefs that were not too<br />
dissimilar to the consumer rat race glamorised in the American television series Mad Men. Today my<br />
practice is supported by part-time administrative work at the ANU SOA.<br />
Flexibility<br />
In mid-2010, I commenced the full-time post-graduate study at the ANU SOA, which reinvigorated my<br />
passion for making through the studio-based courses, and my love for writing and research through the<br />
theoretical courses. <strong>The</strong> ANU <strong>of</strong>fered a pathway that allowed me to re-enter the education system (at<br />
the age <strong>of</strong> 43) and pursue a flexible visual arts course . <strong>The</strong> course provided important building blocks<br />
<strong>of</strong> both theory and practice required by someone aspiring to be an educated and pradising artist.<br />
Furthermore, it provided contacts and opportunities that would have been otherwise inaccessible.<br />
Below: Canberra Potters Society Artist in Residence Studio; Anne and Zoe at glaze class at ANU SOA
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