Ceramics from Sturt Pottery, Mittagong, Australia

Sturt Pottery in Mittagong, New South Wales, Australia was

founded in 1941 by Winifred West, who had just retired as headmistress of

Frensham, an independent secondary school for girls. West was interested in the

value of relationships between individuals and communities, the links between

hand and mind, and the "development of individual talents and

personalities." She wanted to provide further education in crafts, music,

and drama for children who had left Mittagong Primary School, and for adults

seeking useful and creative skills.

The first pottery workshop at Sturt was established in 1952,

with Ivan McMeekin as the potter. McMeekin had been working with Michael Cardew

in England, and he brought with him a deep knowledge of pottery and a

commitment to using local materials. He developed a new porcelain clay from the

Nattai River area, and he also experimented with different glazes.

Sturt Pottery attracted some of the best more... potters in the

country, including Les Blakebrough, Shigeo Shiga, and Mitsuo Shoji. These

potters helped to develop new techniques and styles, and they also inspired a

new generation of potters.

In the 1960s, Sturt Pottery commenced courses and workshops open

to the public. This made the pottery more accessible to people of all ages and

skill levels. Sturt Pottery remains a thriving arts and crafts centre, offering

a wide range of courses, workshops, and exhibitions.