The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013

Focus: Education
Jane Sawyer helping a student at the Slow Clay Centre; photo: Tiago Brissos
A few years ago, in response to a rising demand and with a desire to provide a high quality learning
environment wholly dedicated to ceramics, individual ceramicists set up ceramics centres or hubs. Ray
Cavill in Brisbane, Jane Sawyer in Melbourne and Fleur Schell in Fremantle, who have all earned degrees,
won awards, received international recognition and taught ceramics at university, recognised a growing
need for providing access to ceramics skills in a dedicated work space with tutoring by professional
ceramicists.
Ray Cavill started Clayschool in Brisbane two years ago after converting an old bakery into a
workshop space where he teaches three days a week, leaving time for him to make work as well. Cavill
feels it is important as a teacher to maintain his practice as an artist. He provides flexible access to
classes and individual programs tailored around a student's needs. He adds glaze and clay theory and
discussion of work by contemporary ceramicists into the mix. Cavill says, "My underlying agenda is to
deveJop their eye, develop self critique of their work and make that better and stronger."
For many years, Jane Sawyer taught small classes of 4-6 students in her studio, but when demand for
classes increased recently and she had 250 people on her waiting list, she realised that it was time to
think big. Together with her partner, who handles JT and administration, she found the perfect place in
Collingwood for the Slow Clay Centre. With 100 students attending weekly classes and a team of three
other well established ceramicists, including Prue Venables, she is able to carry out her vision of 'doing
more for students'. Enrolled students can take advantage of Open Studio access times, advanced classes
for working ceramicists, weekend intensives and guest artist workshops. Recognising that, 'people are
THE JOURNAL OF AUSTRALIAN CERAMICS JULY 2013 29