This past weekend was the innaugural OSCAS all across the vast country of Australia.

OSCAS:  Open Studios Ceramics Australia Showcase , sponsored by the Australian Ceramics Association allowed anyone to visit studios of potters, see demonstrations, buy pottery, talk to the potters.  It was a huge success!!!

Each area created a MUD TRAIL Map so we set off to see the potters on the trail in Northern NSW.

Saturday morning Ronnie and I got into his new truck (very swish, eh!?), loaded up with snacks, got out iphone with Google Maps and set out to follow the Mud Trail.

OSCAS-mud trail-Northern NSW-pottery-open studio day-australia-
Ronnie’s new truck!
Snacks!!! Did you know that in the USA - we call them "shoestring potatoes" - are only sold in a small little can!(at least that's the way it was when I left 10 years ago!) .
Snacks!!! Did you know that in the USA – we call them “shoestring potatoes” – are only sold in a small little can!(at least that’s the way it was when I left 10 years ago!) .
We really NEEDED our GPS to find all these studios!
We really NEEDED our GPS to find all these studios!

Visiting the studio of another potter is always a treat.  But getting to visit the studios of MANY potters on the same day is incredible!

Now, I must say here that I’ve taken heaps of pictures, but they in no way will give you the full sensual experience of actually GOING!

A glorious day for a fantastic road trip!
A glorious day for a fantastic road trip!

The smell of the bush, the taste of the scones with cream and jam, the vivid colours of the pots when seeing them in person, seeing the big goanna crawl past the “in construction” kiln at Suvira’s place, the pats on the various dogs we met, cannot be imagined or duplicated! It was just a glorious day!

So If you couldn’t make it this year, plan on it for next time!

For now though, here is a pictorial visit to the studios of the potters we visited that were involved in the OSCAS:  Open Studios Ceramics Australia Showcase sponsored by the Australian Ceramics Association.

Our first stop was the studio of Catherine Lane in Ocean Shores.  Her colleague, Linnelle Stepto, also exhibited her work at Catherine’s home.  Catherine’s pottery is amazing!  Linelle’s work, as can be seen in the photos, are flower wall hangings made from non-indigenous animal hides.  In the case here, cane toad hides and ferrel cat skins-very interesting and cool!

OSCAS-mud trail-Northern NSW-pottery-open studio day-australia-

Here is a pictorial review of the visit:  (Click on the small pics to get a slide show view).

Our next stop was the studio of Pinky and Maurice (aka Claire Atkins).  Wow!  What a great spot!

Sheet signage as we walked up to the house/studio.
Sheet signage as we walked up to the house/studio.

Her studio was gleaming and so was her work!  She had an area set up for visitors to paint a bowl.  The 100 Bowl exhibit will be in Mullimbimby.

Claire Atkins and her work!
Claire Atkins and her work!

 

Also at her studio we got to meet Lisa Gair, Tali Cohen-Flantz and Lisa’s sister, Linda Cunningham and see their gorgeous work!

Lisa Gair and Linda Cunningham
Lisa Gair and Linda Cunningham
Tali Cohen-Flantz
Tali Cohen-Flantz

The highlight here was the “kiln temple” in Claire’s backyard (garden) -truly a site to behold!!

The "kiln temple"!!!
The “kiln temple”!!!
Another view of the "kiln temple"
Another view of the “kiln temple”

From there we went to Suvira McDonald’s.  This is where the GPS on my phone became essential!!! Tucked back in the bush, we found Suvira’s studio! Loaded with amazing, amazing pottery!

Suvira with a big smile!!!
Suvira with a big smile!!!

Lastly on the Mud Trail, we visited the studio of Karen Jennings’, Toohey’s Mill Pottery.  Now I thought getting to Suvira’s was a challenge, but I truly don’t think I would have found Karen’s place without my GPS on my phone!!

Lost??!!! Nay...we had our GPS!
Lost??!!! Nay…we had our GPS
God Bless Google Maps!
God Bless Google Maps!

Karen Jennings’ studio is amazing as well and her work is absolutely brilliant!!!!  So glad we found it!

Karen Jennings Studio
Karen Jennings Studio
Karen Jennings and her gorgeous work!  Stunners all!
Karen Jennings and her gorgeous work! Stunners all!

Two studios that we visited that were not officially on the trail were also great fun and we saw some excellent pottery!!  Stay tuned for my next post about them!!

All in all, the day was even better than I had dreamed!  I hope TACA does it again next year!  If so, give us one more day and have lots more potters involved!!! Brilliant!!!

To see what others did last week, check out Mud Colony!

Party on, Garth!

Marian