March 13, 2017
Pottery making has returned to Cherbourg after a break of many years, and it’s all thanks to the success of the Barambah Pottery exhibition which toured Queensland art galleries last year.
Barambah Pottery was created commercially in Cherbourg from 1969 to 1986.
During its 17 years of operation many people worked at the pottery works, creating vases, jugs, goblets, cups and plates.
A collection of the works – which are now keenly sought by Australian pottery collectors – was assembled for the gallery tour, which included a stint in Brisbane as well as a display in Kingaroy and other towns.
Brisbane-based researcher Matthew Wengert, who co-curated the Barambah Pottery exhibition, came up with the idea for Cherbourg artists to again start producing commercial pottery works.
Potter Fay Stumm, from Goomeri, came on board as an instructor and Arts Queensland provided some funding support for the project.
Nine weekly workshops have been organised at the Yidding Artists shed at The Ration Shed complex in Cherbourg.
It was Week 4 when southburnett.com.au dropped in last week.
Artists were busily painting their plates and bowls, which Fay was then planning to take home to fire in her kiln.
The colours will become vibrant and the pottery pieces will take on a shiny glaze.
More than 30 pieces have already been finished.
Matthew said the works would sold at a commercial exhibition in Brisbane in mid-May.
