Former Nurunderi TAFE tutor Anne Gentry-Smith demonstrated wheel-throwing techniques 
Convention convenor Fay Stumm, from  Goomeri

October 31, 2013

Five tutors allowed South Burnett potters and would-be potters to explore sculpting, wheel-throwing and jewellery-making in Kingaroy Town Hall at the weekend.

The Wide Bay Burnett Potters Association’s 38th Annual Convention attracted local members of the association as well as interested onlookers to the two-day event, which had a “High Tea” theme.

Participants crowded around each table as the experts demonstrated their particular specialities.

Canberra ceramacist Joanne Searle was showing how to paint as onlookers took notes and even videoed her presentation.

Visual artist Lindsay Muir also attracted a large crowd around his table as he demonstrated modelling flora and fauna from clay.

At Shirley Wilkins’ dichroic glass jewellery table, participants were busily making their own pieces under Shirley’s supervision.

Local potter Anne Gentry-Smith was demonstrating wheel techniques while John Marshall was working the clay with his hands.

There was also a display of competition pieces made by members of the Wide Bay association which workshop participants could vote on (the winners are listed below).

Prizes were presented at the Conference Dinner which was held at the Pioneer Lodge Motel Restaurant on Saturday night.

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Painting on clay? Onlookers were taking notes as ANU lecturer Joanne Searle demonstrated her technique 
Artist John Marshall was hand-sculpting a nude from clay
Shirley Wilkins was demonstrating how to make dichroic glass jewellery, including pendants and brooches
Workshop attendees watch as sculptor Lindsay Muir prepares the modelling clay for his next creation; Lindsay is well-known for his detailed sculptures of frogs, geckos, funghi and rainforest plants

Competition winners

Tinkling Teapots

  • 1st – Helen Eastaway
  • Highly commended – June Daniels

Platters for Pleasure

  • 1st – Tania Gilby
  • Highly Commended – Fay Thompson

Setting the Scene

  • 1st – Shelley Burt
  • Highly Commended – Margariet Laughton

Terrific Tableware

  • Equal 1st – Peter Andersen and Tania Gilby

Garden D’acor

  • 1st – Fay Stumm
  • Highly Commended – June Daniels

Perpetual Trophy

  • 1st – Necia Rosevear

Best Swap-a-mug

  • Necia Rosevear

Tutors’ Choice

  • Fay Stumm
Anne Druitt, from Bundaberg, and Wooroolin artist Diana Bolton inspect the entries in the Wide Bay Burnett Potters Association members’ competition; the pieces were designed around the “high tea” theme