PYRE December 2024
One of the great things about being involved with ceramics is meeting and working with like-minded people. The opening of our Annual selective exhibition was a case in point. So much fantastic and diverse work, working with dedicated volunteers and discussing ceramics with members, partners and friends. The exhibition is a milestone in the Ceramic Arts year and it is always so encouraging to see so many members exhibiting and displaying the courage to place their work in the public domain.
Ceramic art practice in WA is a burgeoning field and it is so encouraging to now have a major sponsor for this event. The generous sponsorship by Midland Brick will allow the Association to continue to fulfil our aims of promoting among practitioners and non-practitioners the production and appreciation of ceramics;
ï‚· raising the profile of clay within the community
ï‚· encouraging the sharing of ideas, activities and information pertaining to ceramics.
We appreciate the philanthropy of Midland Brick and their sponsoring of the exhibition so we may now offer a major prize of $7500.00. Midland Brick is sponsoring the event for $12,000 annually for an initial period of three years. We thank them for their philanthropy and vision.
We have include the Aims of our Association in this issue of PYRE so that you may reflect
on what CAAWA is about and perhaps think about how you may contribute. An Association is about working together for common goals and becoming enriched as an individual in the process. Being a CAAWA member provides opportunities for social connection, the sharing of ideas and knowledge and developing your network and personal ceramic practice.
I was disappointed to miss the Christmas event this year because of a prior commitment that, from all reports, was both edifying and fun. Thank you Sandra Black for your talk and for working so beautifully in the ceramic medium for most of your adult life. Thank you also to members of the CAAWA committee for organising the event. Because I had to give my apologies to this event, I asked our Vice President Liz Berry to speak briefly in my absence about CAAWA events in the past year. As with many plans, the situation was such that the speech did not seem to fit into the flow of the afternoon so I have asked Liz if I might use her material in this report.
Liz has edited her speech and here is her report about CAAWA’s year that was:
CAAWA XMAS 2024
It was a great turn out for CAAWA’s 2024 Christmas event held this year at the Art Gallery of WA where we were privileged to experience Sandra Black’s amazing exhibition, and listen to her talk about her incredible journey in ceramics and her creative process. She went above and beyond by showing us special pieces she brought with her from her personal collection for us to see and feel. We thank you Sandra for your inspiration. Afterwards we all went across to the PICA bar for food and drinks. The highlight as always was our ‘Secret Santa’ gift sharing where we all enjoyed receiving creative pieces from our members.
IT’S A WRAP
This year has been extremely busy for the Committee, mainly the Wedge Steering Committee who have been working arduously to bring together the Triennale event next October, with some exciting guests attending the conference and many interesting papers, demos and exhibitions have been submitted.
Aside from the Triennale, CAAWA had a few events through the year. Firstly, there were a couple of MUD events with a studio visit to renowned ceramicist Melaine Sharpham from Eucalypt Homewares, who demonstrated her techniques in slip casting and decorating. Then there was the annual pit-firing workshop hosted at Liz Berry’s studio with some outstanding results.
Although not an event run by CAAWA, Empty Bowls took place in August and with donated bowls from across they were able to raise a record breaking $33,000 for Foodbank WA. Also in August we had our AGM and Albert Yonathan Setyawan was the special guest where he discussed his practice and works that he was exhibiting for IOTA24. We also secured a sponsorship from Midland Brick that allowed the prize money for the Member’s Selective Exhibition to be substantially more.
The Kusnik prize was awarded to Stewart Scambler, Clive Eger won the Kusnik Runner Up prize, Highly Commended went to Jackie Masters, Emerging Artist was awarded to Hamish Webster and the People’s Choice Award went to Judith Paisley.
The exhibition was a big success and was great to see many emerging potters taking part. And as always thanks to Matt and Jenny for doing such an amazing job at organising and curating it.
And finally we would like to thank all our members, local and regional for being patient with our transitioning of the online members application. We think we have solved any issues now but please let us know if you have any problems. Don’t forget too that you can email us your bio and images of your work that we can upload onto the member’s gallery as part of your membership.
Thanks Liz, for preparing this and saving me some time and effort! I really appreciate your
help. Thank you to all the CAAWA committee and to all the members of the Wedge Australian
Ceramics Trienalle steering committee for their hard work this year.
Wedge: The Australian Ceramics Trienalle will be a milestone in ceramic practice in Western Australia and an experience not to be missed. We are looking for volunteers to assist with many aspects of the event. If you think that this might be for you, please email wedge@australianceramicstriennale.com.au and express your interest.
Wishing you a fabulous festive season and happy potting for the new year!
Warm Regards, Bernard Kerr
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