The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 52 No 2 July 2013

Editorial
A special moment at Clay Push Gulgong
2013 ... Frank Boyden, Lee Kang Hyo and
Vicki Grima covered in mud after joining in
with lee's collaborative performance.
Many have recently asked me if I have recovered from Clay Push. My hesitant reply is, "No, I don't think
recover is the right word ... I think I've changed rather than recovered ." We learn, grow and change
from experiencing these gatherings.
In July 2012 Janet Mansfield asked me to direct the event and. though I'd said no in years gone
by, I said yes this time; the thought that it might not go ahead was too sad to contemplate. And so it
happened. From a bare field, empty halls, and from the earth itself, sprang all sorts of creative activity
and connections between international masters, potters from near and far, and the local community;
and many of those ephemeral moments were caught in our photos; http://tinyurl.comlclaypushimages.
At the Clay Push Welcome Dinner I described the feeling of directing such an event and compared it
to editing an issue of this journal, using the visua l image of a funnel. There is an enormous cluster of
people, pots, artworks, information, requests, promises, details and possibilities, all swirling up there
in the bowl of the funnel. As time passes these bits shuffle around, shifting slowly and uncomfortably
at times - at times I wonder if they will ever match up and fall into place. Time is tight. Decisions are
made. There is no turning back. I find myself in the narrow shaft of the funnel. It is intense, stressful and
scary. But out of that funnel flowed the special gathering in Gu lgong .. . and another issue of the journal
... and the feeling is good.
Greg Piper and I chose to present a unique record of the people who came to share their knowledge,
skills and personal stories at Clay Push. My favourite words from those masters are from Jeff Mincham
(on page 21 ) who so succinctly describes the Gulgong event many of us enjoyed, and the magic that
flowed.
In this issue you'll also find cu rrent discussions about the dilemmas faCing Australian ceramic
education and those who are being creative in finding solutions. The survey of 2012 graduate students
shows where our support can be directed to help them move to the next step - developing their skills,
exhibiting and selling their work and making ceramics a viable career path.
The Australian Cera mics Association continues its supportive role - applications are now open for the
20 14 Trudie Alfred Bequest Ceramics Scholarships (see page 127).
We are all excited too about the Open Studio event. If you are not participating lit, ./
you rself, please support your local potters l V
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2 THE JOURNAL OF AU STRALIAN CERAMICS JULY 2013