Connecting Through Clay: 50 Years of Canberra Potters

Connecting Through Clay: 50 Years of Canberra Potters

28 AUGUST 2025 – 21 SEPTEMBER 2025

An exhibition celebrating the remarkable milestone of 50 years of Canberra Potters as a vital part of the ACT’s creative community since 1975. Connecting Through Clay reflects on the rich legacy, artistic excellence, and evolving story of Canberra Potters through a curated exhibition featuring works from the Canberra Potters Collection alongside pieces by Honorary Life Members.

This celebratory showcase not only highlights the artistic diversity and depth of the Canberra Potters Permanent Collection but also pays tribute to the dedicated individuals – some of whom have been with us since our founding in 1975 – who have shaped and supported Canberra Potters.

Central to this journey is our Artist-in-Residence Program, which has been instrumental in cultivating artistic exchange, enriching our collection, and building our national and international reputation.

Over five decades, we’ve grown from modest beginnings into a thriving institution grounded in creativity, community and craftmanship.  This exhibition is both a recognition of shared history and a celebration of the people and practices that have shaped who we are today.

Featuring Honorary Life Members:

INGRID ADLER | IRENE ARTHURSON | PAMELA BARKER | JANET DEBOOS | ALEX DE VOS
MARLENE FLANAGAN | CATHY FRANZI | CHRIS HARFORD | MARYKE HENDERSON | IAN HODGSON
JUDY MCDONALD | MEG MILLER | CHRISTINE PEARSON | HIROE SWEN

Featuring works by 40 artists from the Canberra Potters Permanent Collection including:

DOUG ALEXANDER (AUS) | KEVIN BOYD (AUS) | BEN CARTER (USA) | PAUL DAVIS (AUS)
JACK DOHERTY (UK) | PIPPIN DRYSDALE (AUS) | JANET FIELDHOUSE (AUS) | KAZUYA ISHIDA (JPN) MICHAEL KEIGHERY (AUS) | RUTH JU-SHIH LI (AUS) | JEFF MINCHAM AM (AUS) | DAVID RAY (AUS)

Maryke Henderson, Dialogue 2005, 53 x 42 x 19cm, soda vapour glazed stoneware. Photo by Stuart Hay, ANU Photograph

Canberra Potters and Watson Arts Centre acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land where we meet and work, the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people and other First Nations people who are connected with this land. We celebrate and respect their continuing culture and the contribution they make to the life of the ACT and region. This is Aboriginal land. Always was always will be.