Happy Australia Day to everyone who may be surfing their way through the day-to-day of Aussie Life.  It is raining here with minor flood warnings – while Victoria burns – that’s Australia for you.

I had a big week last week –

The art CUBE at the Byron Shire Council Chambers has some beautiful ceramic work by Byron artist Claire Atkins

A big thank you to Claire and to the Mayor Simon Richardson who is a big supporter of the arts in Byron Shire and Northern Rivers Generally.  Mayor Richardson was on site for the changeover and it was a pleasure meeting with him. I look forward to providing the community with a range of new works from Northern Rivers artists.

Claire Atkins is a multi-disciplinary artist who works in ceramics, printmaking and fibre arts. She now works full time from her studio Pinky & Maurice Contemporary Ceramics in South Golden Beach in the Byron Shire. The value of studying Ceramics in Australia is being hotly debated at the moment with State Government’s across the country axing funding to Ceramics and Fine Arts courses in TAFE. Students, art educators and the future of Australian Ceramics are consequently in a precarious and fragile position.

Claire says, “Individuals who are creating objects to be used in a domestic context are integral to a fully rounded society. The knowledge that your bowl, cup or spoon has been crafted by another human being, brings individuals into contact with each other and creates a community of artists and users who believe in the notion that objects have meaning beyond fashion and commerce.” “Fragile” Slipcast and stained porcelain, 2013 For enquiries about Claire’s work go to www.pinkyandmaurice.com or follow Pinky and Maurice on Facebook and InstaGram

Thanks to the Northern Star for the great article good http://www.northernstar.com.au/news/byron-artists-on-show-in-council-offices/1726724/

The art CUBE – Affectionately known as the Cube – The smallest Gallery in the Byron Shire is all about promoting local 3D Art. It is located in the foyer of the Byron Shire Council, Burringbar St Mullumbimby. The Cube (supported by Byron Shire Council) is sponsored by Mark Cochrane Real Estate and Santos Trading. The original Curator Dev Lengjel developed the Cube to be a showcase for local 3D artists. As the Current Curator I welcome visitors to the CUBE and hope you enjoy the work of the vast array of talent from the local area.

Check out the Margaret Olley, Ken Done and Erica Gray exhibitions at the Tweed Gallery was a visual breath of fresh air – Stunning works and certainly worth a visit.

A new project in th epipeline for me – Thank you to the Catholic Cathedral at Lismore for escorting me through the Cathedral.  What a stunning Cathedral and the beginning of a new ceramic sculpture – stay tuned.

And an interesting project coming up at the Lismore Regional Gallery

13 April – 2 June 2013, Lismore Regional Gallery will celebrate the multitude of wonderful houses designed, made and lived in by people who have chosen to live outside the square in the Northern Rivers region. This will include photographs, a film and a publication. The photographs will document existing owner built houses from the period, as well as contemporary examples which show a relationships to the alternative ideals of the owner builders of the 60s and 70s.  The facebook page https://www.facebook.com/NotQuiteSquare would like to hear from anyone with a story to tell about this fascinating part of Northern River’s life, any stories about these houses: how they were conceived and designed; how they sit in the landscape; architectural and other challenges that were faced and overcome and the experience of living in these wonderful houses.

Finally Mud Colony will be back soon but in the meantime why not have a surf through last years awesome posts from my awesome Mud Colony mates

Happy Clay days everyone

Debby