The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013

Fo cus: Education
looking Around
Karen Weiss considers the alternatives in ceramics education
So, your nearest TAFE has dropped ceramics from its cou rses and your local university is not offering
courses in ceramics. What are your options? Fortunately there are private providers offering a
smorgasbord of everything from basic classes in throwing and handbuilding to workshops covering
specific skills, and residencies for visiting artists.
Some ceramicists run classes from their studios. Classes are generally small (2-6 students) and one-onone
classes are often available - perfect for beginners, particularly for throwing, or those who want that
extra attention to build their skills. Look for these classes online on sites such as Gumtree, in TACA's
InTouch enews, your local library fliers, or by word of mouth.
Some ceramicists take on apprentices or trainees, although this is not a particularly common practice
in Australia; it can be worth asking though. And several well-known Australian ceramicists have done
traineeships with Japanese ceramicists in Japan, but this is a path for the truly dedicated.
Have you contacted your local potters group? These are particularly handy in regional areas, and
there are several in the major cities. Many offer classes, have a shared studio space, meet regularly,
share expertise and information, and participate in local events such as markets or fairs or hold
group exhibitions. Groups may organise activities such as woodfiring or raku or invite guest artists
to demonstrate. Ceramics Victoria Inc., a larger group, has a permanent ceramics collection, holds
a bi-annual Festival of Ceramics, and runs forums and workshops with national and international
demonstrators and speakers. Canberra Potters Society has an artist-in-residence program for Australian
and international artists.
All these groups are dedicated to supporting, training and mentoring ceramicists. New members are
always welcome, and the enthusiam and relaxed approach within most groups make membership an
enjoyable experience. There are 90-100 potters/ceramics groups across Australia. Many have an online
presence or can be contacted through the 10caVregionai councilor library.
If you live in a large city, you might want to investigate your local community/evening/adult education
college. As the name implies. they generally run even ing classes (and occasionally day classes) a good
opportunity for those just starting out who would like a taste of what clay can offer and are working
during the day. Evening college classes are often sociable affairs, however resources such as kilns and
wheels may be limited and classes may have up to 15 people.
Community/art centres can have ceramics/pottery classes and dedicated clayworking areas. Stewart
Scambler at Fremantle Arts Centre near Perth, teaches throwing and handbuilding; Sandra Black teaches
mould making, slipcasting and porcelain jewellery making; and three other tutors teach clay sculpture.
Scambler takes a wholistic approach, weaving glaze technology and decoration into his classes. His role
is both mentor and teacher, encouraging students to expand their ideas and technical skills to ultimately
achieve independence as ceram icists. Arts centres may offer a variety of classes and firings and can be
well set up with wheels, kilns and handbuilding equipment.
28 THE IOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY 2013