Graduate profiles - Ceramic Design Studio, Gymea

Sarah Kirk

I was fortunate to attend Gymea TAFE for 3 years, completing my Certificate 4 and Diploma in Ceramics. It was at TAFE that I gained a wealth of practical knowledge and understanding about how to create ceramic artworks. It was a great place to start as the teachers there really care about your work and progress. My time at Gymea enabled me to develop not only as an artist, but to also form relationships with people from all walks of life.

I am currently completing my third year of my Bachelor of Visual Arts, at Sydney College of the Arts, majoring in Ceramics. From my TAFE qualifications I was accepted straight into second year.

I am hoping to do Honours in Ceramics and also a teaching degree, so I can not only continue to develop my own ceramic art work, but help young students to appreciate and enjoy clay as I do.

Clarissa Regan

My ceramics career has taken off since graduating from the Ceramic Design Studio. The Diploma of Ceramics gave me a great foundation to begin teaching ceramics and to establish my own studio practice. I now teach ceramics at Danebank Girls High School and at Pine Street Creative Arts Centre in Chippendale. The TAFE qualification enabled me to enter the Honours year at the National Art School and I am now studying for my MVA at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney.

As an artist, I have been able to continually put into practice the skills I was taught at the Studio. Knowledge and skills in glaze making, clay body development and surface treatment techniques have been immeasurably helpful. Since graduating I have been involved in numerous exhibitions and won first prize and third prize at the Royal Easter Show.

Claudia Citton

I thoroughly enjoyed studying Ceramics at the Ceramic Design Studio. I gained a broad range of skills and extensive knowledge in ceramic production, theory and technology. As a student, in 2003 and 2004 I won awards in the Port Hacking Potters Art Prize. In my final year of TAFE I was selected to participate in ‘On the Verge’ National Student Perspecta, 11th National Ceramics Conference, Fusions at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre. Since graduating with an Advanced Diploma of Ceramics, I have won a number of art awards including the Festival of Fishers Ghost Ceramic Art Award in 2005. I have also been selected for various international awards including the Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize and the Gold Coast International Ceramic Art Award.

The valuable experience and knowledge I gained at the Studio have given me the confidence to pursue art as a career. I now teach part time at Hazelhurst Regional Gallery and Art Centre. Through the encouragement and support of the dedicated and talented teachers of the Ceramic Design Studio I have been able to pursue my dream. I highly recommend the Studio to all those who aspire to a career in studio ceramics.

Melissa Lees

I graduated with a Diploma of Ceramics in 2000 and then completed a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Bachelor of Teaching. I now teach ceramics, painting and drawing at Hazelhurst Regional Art Gallery and at the Ceramic Design Studio. In addition I have been employed by TAFE NSW as a course writer for a specialised theatrical makeup module.

As a result of winning the TAFE State Medal I was awarded a solo exhibition at Mura Clay Gallery in Newtown. Many group exhibitions followed- including curated exhibitions such as the Works on Paper, Southern Exposure and Next Wave. I became involved in the Australian Ceramics Association and served as president in 2003 and 2004. The Diploma of Ceramics is a wonderful course where I met many other artists, and gained the creative confidence to become an exhibiting artist and teacher. I also received the specific technical guidance necessary to reach my creative goals successfully.

Suzanne Shelley

My studies at the Ceramic Design Studio progressed from Certificate Level through to the Advanced Diploma, with the guidance and encouragement provided by my tutors. There were many occasions over those years when I believed it was all too difficult to continue, as ceramics can be an exasperating medium full of big challenges both technically and conceptually.

Inspired by professional artists visiting the studio and demonstrating their skills, I applied myself to creating work at a professional level.

My work was selected for the TAFE NSW Art and Design Award, The Next Wave exhibition at the Ceramic Art Gallery, and the Sidney Myer International Ceramic Award. In July 2008 Lark Books America selected one of my ceramic pieces for its new publication in the 500 series.

After graduating from the Studio with an Advanced Diploma I was accepted as a BAVA candidate at Sydney College of the Arts, University of Sydney. TAFE prepares students with a diverse package of conceptual, technical and theoretical skills which is a fantastic foundation for a career in studio ceramics.

Tanya Alexandra Richards

I am of Russian parentage, born in Harbin, the Heilongjiang Province of Northern China, migrating to Australia at the age of fourteen. My early career was draughting in the electronics industry. Following completion of Certificate lll and a year of study at the Ceramic Design Studio I attended The University of Western Sydney, attaining a Bachelor of Visual Arts Degree, majoring in painting and ceramics; this was followed by Honours and Masters degrees at Sydney University (SCA).

While preparing a proposal for my PhD at SCA, I decided to return to the Studio to continue with the practical aspects of my art practice. The Studio offers me access to expert tuition and technical support from experienced and highly professional teaching and technical staff. The excellent facilities allow me to further develop my individual studio work.

Hillary Jones - Ceramic Design Studio Gymea TAFE graduate

Hilary Jones

I view my time at the Ceramic Design Studio as a very positive experience, the environment was a creative one. My graduation work won the 3D Award in the TAFE Art and Design Prize in 2004. It was a fantastic feeling for me to have this level of acknowledgement.

After graduating, with an Advanced Diploma in Ceramics, I applied and was accepted to work at Dartington Pottery in Devon, England. The pottery was originally established by Bernard Leach. The experience I gained through making and firing the Dartington range, as well as working in the gallery was invaluable. The opportunity to visit galleries and ceramic fairs in Europe and England was inspiring and further enhanced the experience.

Since my return to Australia I have continued to develop my studio practice. I am currently making a thrown porcelain series and also designing architectural forms.

Select a course

Ceramics - Certificate III
Ceramics - Diploma
Ceramics - General - Certificate IV
Fine Arts (Ceramics) - Advanced Diploma
Visual Arts and Contemporary Craft - Certificate II
Developing Glazes for Individual Needs - TAFE PLUS Certificate of Attendance

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