The Board maintains strategic oversight of the operations of the Canberra Potters’ Society/Watson Arts Centre and the finances, strategic risks and programs of CPS are standing items of discussion at each Board meeting. The Board supports the management and staff in its purpose to:
Maintain Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre as a dynamic, innovative and inspiring arts hub of excellence, supporting personal and professional development across all levels of ceramic arts practice while providing exciting community engagement through artist, exhibition and visitor experiences.
The board was appointed at the AGM in April 2021 and serves until the AGM in 2022. Collectively it encompasses a range of management, financial, governance, legal, education and artistic expertise:
Jill Farrelly
President & Chair
Jill’s career has spanned more than 30 years in Federal and State Government agencies. She has worked in policy and program roles in areas such as children, women, disability and mental health. Jill has had extensive experience working with community groups, other government agencies and Ministers.
Janet DeBoos
Vice President
Honorary Senior Lecturer (2019- present), (Emeritus Fellow 2015-2018), Australian National University School of Art & Design. Janet was previously Head of Ceramics at ANU for over fifteen years (1998-2015), Head of Ceramics at her alma mater, East Sydney College of TAFE (now National Art School) 1979/80, and ran a production pottery (Brindabella Pottery) for almost twenty years in between. She was a Council Member, International Academy of Ceramics, (Australasian and African representative 2012-2020) and has been a member of the Academy since 2003. She is also a Professional Accredited Member of the Australian Capital Territory Craft Association, exhibiting member of The Australian Ceramic Association, and an artist member of the National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA).
Wil Trewartha (CA)
Treasurer
Wil is a Chartered Accountant and brings to the Canberra Potters a combination of financial accounting expertise, interpersonal skills and a commitment to diversity. The arts are an important part of all communities and Wil believes that finance professionals like him can make a real contribution to their sustainability.
Besides a busy professional life at Bentleys Accounting, he plays as many sports as his time permits such as rugby, Oz Tag, skiing, and golf. He just enjoys being outdoors.
Wil’s qualifications include: Chartered Accountant (full member of Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand); Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting), University of Newcastle; Master of Applied Finance, Macquarie University (currently studying).
Kerry Byers
Secretary
Kerry’s interest in pottery continues to develop and she is a regular participant in classes and activities at Canberra Potters. As her formal work commitments have eased, she is ready to devote her energies to the Canberra Potters community through board involvement. Kerry joined the Board in July 2020 and, at the September Board meeting was approved by the Board to take on the role of Secretary.
James Collier
Board Member
Christine Pearson
Board Member
Christine was an early member of CPS, as a teacher, Administrator, Vice President, and President over a period of 20 years. A major achievement with CPS was negotiating with government the transition of the lease of the premises to what is now known as the Watson Arts Centre.
Christine served several terms on the CAPO Board and is a Director of her business designing and implementing craft related tour programs. Leading many of these tours required the ability to maintain excellent rapport with guests, local guides and management.
In the 1970s she established her studio producing a variety of ceramic styles, participating in numerous exhibitions, and producing restaurant tableware. As well, Christine was the first Artist in Residence at Dong Nai College of Decorative Arts, in Vietnam; a Visiting Craftsperson at Goroka Teacher’s College in PNG; conducted workshops in Fiji, and designed a residential in Cuba.
Her qualifications include a Certificate in Ceramics from Canberra School of Art and a Bachelor of Visual Arts from ANU Canberra School of Art and Design with a major in Ceramics and Art History.
With her many years of working in ceramics and her business experience and extensive network of relevant contacts, she seeks to provide a positive input to the Board.
Michael Flynn
Board Member