The Journal of Australian Ceramics Vol 53 No 2 July 2014

On the Edge of the Shelf International Wood fire Festival was a very successful 3-week event convened
by Daniel Lafferty and a team of enthusiastic volunteers. The festival brought together ceramicists from
seven nations with over 500 years of experience collectively - a world-class event for the south coast of
NSW.
The festival provided an uninterrupted chance to focus on creating, making and firing work. The
participants were able to strengthen existing friendships, create new ones, and enjoy each other's
company. It was inspirational to meet and learn from such renowned and respected artists who
provided a platform for young students and experienced ceramicists to exchange ideas and interact.
The passionate woodfirers were able to benefit from and continue to develop their knowledge of this
traditional art form . Most potters were physically exhausted as well as emotionally rejuvenated by the
event.
Mystery Bay is so beautiful; the venue was superb, the weather was gorgeous with plenty of
swimming, surfing and successful fishing trips, and the food was to die for! The local galleries - Bega
Valley Regional Gallery, Spiral Gallery, Narek Galleries and Ivy Hill - provided stimulating woodfired
exhibitions during the festival and the local musicians kept the pottery crowd dancing into the night.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in On the Edge of the Shelf and made it what it
was. Special thanks to our sponsor James Kasper for his generosity; what a wonderful gift he has given
us all. Big thanks to all the volunteers and helpers who made it possible. We feel grateful and honoured
to be a part of such an event and delighted it was such a great success. The collective memories of the
past month will live on ...
A report by Gabrielle Powell