Following the wonderful opening night artist Tony Albert joined Sabbia Gallery Director Anna Grigson at a Curator Floor Talk at the gallery. We were pleased to also hear from artists Judith Inkamala and Rahel Ungwanaka, and arts centre managers Hannah Kothe from Ernabella Arts and Gabrielle Wallington from Hermannsburg Potters. Ruth McMillan, the manager from Tangentyere Artists in Alice Springs, and a continual advocate for this project and the Remote Communities Ceramic Network, was also involved, giving a greater insight into the significance of the Clay Stories touring exhibition.

We were all then given the great pleasure of observing the artists from Ernabella and Hermannsburg as they worked on some new ceramics.

A wonderful morning to finish off such an a great opening launch

Thanks to Australian Indigenous artist Tony Albert for his moving speech to officially launch Clay Stories at the Araluen Arts Centre on Friday 2nd March 2018.

There were a huge crowd in attendance to help us all celebrate a brilliant evening.

Thanks to Hannah Kothe from Ernabella Arts who brought along the artists Alison Milyika Carroll, Elizabeth Dunn and Carlene Thompson, and Gabrielle Wallington from Hermannsburg Potters who brought Hayley Coulthard, Judith Inkamala, Rona Rubuntja, Rahel Ungwanaka and Dawn Wheeler.

I am ashamed to say that I have never visited Alice Springs. What an amazing part of Australia it is. The landscape just blew me away.

Our trip to Alice allowed us to meet some very talented and generous people. Director Mark Crees, Curator Stephen Williamson and Exhibitions Officer Tim Chatwin welcomed us to Araluen and showed us what an incredible arts complex it is, with its array of gallery spaces, theatre and community spaces.

Stephen and Tim took great care in the installation of the Clay Stories exhibition. Each ceramic artwork was given its own space to let the viewer spend time to embrace each individual story. The exhibition looked just as I would have hoped, if anything it exceeded my expectations. Thanks to entire team.

The Clay Stories touring exhibition has been developed; to allow an expanded audience across Australia the opportunity to view the artwork of the twenty-two talented ceramic artists included in the show; to enable the artists to further develop their skills and art practise through the creation of the artwork for the exhibition; to establish and strengthen the relationships between the artists and the art centres for future projects.

An important part of the exhibition as it travels to each venue is its related public program. There will be a combination of floor talks, workshops, residencies and demonstrations at each location. 

Clay Bosses is a brilliant title (thanks to Hannah Kothe, manager at Ernabella Arts) for a men's workshop/residency at the JamFactory Ceramics Studio in Adelaide in conjunction with the launch of Clay Stories and Tarnanthi. This two week residency brought together artists from across remote Australia to interact and possibly influence one another in some way in regards to how they approach their artworks. Some strong friendships were built and some incredible works were created.

The artists involved were Nephi Denham (Girringun), Lawrence Inkamala (Hermmansburg), Jimmy Thaiday (Erub) and Derek Thompson (Ernabella).

Thanks to Damon Moon from the JamFactory Ceramics Studio for all your help and support. The men had a wonderful time.

An exhibition will be held at Sabbia Gallery in Sydney April 2018 presenting a selection of the works created during the residency.

What a wonderful week in Adelaide with the launch of the Tarnanthi Indigenous arts festival, an array or brilliant exhibitions across the city, talks, panels, the market, and of course the Opening of Clay Stories at the JamFactory at Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley.

The curators and install team at the JamFactory did a great job with the display and lighting. The eighty ceramic artworks were given an opportunity to shine. Thanks to all involved.

Thank you to Brian Parkes and Christine Nicholls for their opening speeches.

We were thrilled to have so many of the artists attend the opening launch including Alison Milyika Carroll and Derek Jungarrayi Thompson from Ernabella Arts, Ellarose Savage and Jimmy Thaiday from Erub Arts, Hayley Coulthard, Judith Inkamala and Rona Rubuntja from Hermannsburg Potters, Nephi Denham, Emily Murray, Sally Murray and Eileen Tep from Girringun Aboriginal Arts Centre, Jock Puautjimi from Tiwi Design.

​It was a lovely afternoon

We have lots of copies of the Clay Stories exhibition catalogue currently at Sabbia Gallery. A wonderful publication, with a great essay by Bruce Johnson McLean, Curator of Indigenous Australian Art at QAGOMA, and all artists speaking about their work and practice

Sydney put on a brilliant sunny day for our 'Clay Stories' public program events on Saturday 11 March in conjunction with Art Month Sydney. We had a full house for the afternoon, enjoying time spent with the artists from Ernabella Arts, Alison Milyika Carroll and Lynette Lewis, and from Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre, Emily Murray, as well as listening to Janet DeBoos in conversation with Alison and Valerie from Girringun.

We were able to spend time watching Alison and Lynette working on their ceramics, and Emily weaving lovely baskets with some happy participants.

The exhibition runs until 8 April 2017..... then a new body of work will be created by the artists and then tour, starting at JamFactory at Seppeltsfield in October 2017, in conjunction with the Tarnanthi Indigenous Arts Festival.

After two years in the planning, we are so pleased to have now launched the CLAY STORIES: CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS CERAMICS FROM REMOTE AUSTRALIA exhibition at Sabbia Gallery in Sydney. It was a great night. We would like to thank Bruce Johnson-McLean, Curator of Indigenous Australian Art at QAGOMA, for opening the exhibition and for all his support. A thanks also to Michael West who did a wonderful and thoughtful Welcome to Country. Special thanks also to Hannah Kothe, Alison Milyika Carroll and Lynette Lewis from Ernabella Arts and Valerie Keenan and Emily Murray from Girringun Aboriginal Art Centre. Of course also to Ruth McMillan, Janet DeBoos, Maria Grimalsi, Sarah Grimaldi and Kylie Johnston for all your hard work getting this off the ground.....