Having recently established the Kiama Ceramic Art Studio in her home in Akuna Street, local potter Fran Smith started teaching in the studio in the month before the Covid-19 restrictions came into force.

Having to suspend all classes, she used the down-time to explore her creativity, producing a quirky range of quirky golden-winged Australian animal pots, along with many other sculptural pieces and other experimental vessels.

Now the teaching space is open again, she is looking for three working painters or artists who want to explore artistic expression using ceramics as their canvas.

“We were lucky enough to get a creative development grant from the Kiama Council, which we used to produce a business plan, some marketing materials and to put some finishing touches to the studio,” says Fran.

It now has a large kiln installed, pottery wheels positioned and the commissioning a massive clay slab roller is underway.

One of the requirements of the grant is to have an exhibition of work produced by the initial group of students, so she is keen to include some established local artists in the first intake.
Fran said, “I have worked with paint and print artists before, and it was very productive for them and me. Some used the surface of the ceramic as a kind of canvas, while others looked at the entire vessel – its shape, texture and form – to create interesting integrated art forms.”

Fran is asking for expressions of interest from artists who would like to participate, with their fees part-subsidised.

Council’s Community Arts Officer, Louise Croker will be helping her to select the three participants.

More information at http://www.ceramic-art-studio.com