Staff Profiles

Head teacher of the Ceramics Design Studio, Marian Howell has been involved in Ceramics for 30 years. During this time Marian has studied at University level in Fine Arts, Graphic Design, and Education while travelling extensively to view contemporary and historical exhibitions all over the world.

She has curated numerous exhibitions and enjoyed the role of President of the Australian Ceramics Association from 2000-2002. Whilst exhibiting large scale figurative sculptures in the past, current work practice centers around stoneware fired thrown forms, ranging from vases and large bowls to teapots and drinking vessels.

Lynda Draper has been a practicing artist and teacher for over 20 years. She is currently represented by Gallerysmith (Melbourne), Stella Downer Fine Art (Sydney) and Galerie Marianne Brand (Geneva, Switzerland).

Her ceramic works are included in both National and International collections including the National Gallery of Australia; Smithsonian Institute, Washington USA; Myer Foundation; International Museum of Ceramics, Faenza, Italy; Shepparton Art Gallery, Victoria; FA Grue collection, Italy and the collection of the Dutch Royal Family.

Bunty Mitchell has worked with clay and various two dimensional media, such as drawing and printmaking for over 40 years, and has taught in the Visual Arts for 30 years. She trained at East Sydney Technical College (National Art School) in traditional art practices such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and basic design, later specialising in general design, which covered many and various subjects. Further studies include a Bachelor of Arts (Visual Arts), Graduate Diploma in Professional Art Studies, and a Graduate Diploma in Education.

Bunty’s studies have lead to improved teaching skills as well as an opening up of other avenues of inspiration and techniques for her own creative work. Her ceramic work explores the qualities of translucence and the effects of light on various surfaces. Never tiring of the creative journey she continues to experiment with various materials, techniques and ideas.

Julie Bartholomew is an artist and educator in ceramics. She has participated in exhibitions and residencies in Australia and abroad since 1990. Julie has been the recipient of numerous awards and grants including two Australia Council for the Arts New Work Grants and the Tokyo Studio Residency.

After receiving an Australian Post-Graduate Award, Julie completed her Doctorate at the College of Fine Arts, UNSW in 2006. During 2007, Julie took part in three artist residencies in China, and a ceramics exhibition in Shanghai at the Museum of Craft and Design. During 2009-10, she will show her work in an international travelling exhibition alongside well-known Chinese and Australian artists.

Steve Harrison is a ceramic artist, ceramics teacher and ceramics technology consultant who runs a small ceramic technology company called Hot and Sticky Pty Ltd.

He has a PhD and MA Hons in ceramics and is widely respected for both his artistic and technical research. He is represented by the Legge Gallery in Sydney where he has had 15 one man shows since 1990. He has taught at every university and Institute of Technology in New South Wales over the past 20 years.

Janette Loughrey defines herself as a ‘Teacher-Potter’. She began teaching with TAFE ten years ago after completing formal training in ceramics. Her earlier work as a primary school teacher has provided a solid foundation for TAFE teaching. She says that combining teaching and pottery are the basis of her life. Janette also runs, workshops and teaches at Wollongong City Gallery.

Her current work swings from decorative functional to whimsical animal orientated pieces and she enjoys making humourous, low fired, colourful, sculptural work. Her travels through South and Central America have influenced her work greatly

She is currently a member of the Inner City Clayworkers Gallery and sells her work though Kerrie Lowe Gallery and Rosedale St Gallery. She exhibits every year either in Wollongong or Sydney and when not potting she loves to photograph, write articles and do mosaic works.

Lesley O’Sullivan has been teaching part time in TAFE since graduating from the National Art School in 1979 with a Diploma in Ceramics. Initially her ceramic work focused on wheel thrown domestic ware and wood firing. Her work has now moved into the area of handbuilding, slipcasting and design and she experiments with colour and texture over a wide temperature range.

A recurring theme in her work is the cycles of life and the changes which occur over time. Her current work revolves around her family home of three generations. She explores the way time has impacted on the house, family life and the connections which draw the family together.

Sally James has been working with clay for the past 8 years. She studied ceramics at TAFE in Sydney, graduating in 2006. She has also worked in graphic design and photography. Sally combines making exhibition work with ceramics teaching.

Her work is predominantly inspired by basketwork, tribal jewellery, tools and traditional textiles – objects that involve simple repeated patterns and celebrate the beauty of the natural materials they are constructed from. She is fascinated by the way Western cultures display utilitarian objects from ‘primitive’ societies as objects of fine art – a huge leap from their makers’ original purpose. She enjoys exploring the essence of traditionally functional forms, altering them and removing their ability to function by putting them behind glass.

Mary-Ann Nidelkos is a graduate of Sydney College of the Arts and has a Masters in Teaching from the University of Sydney. She teaches at secondary and tertiary levels and her experience includes HSC coaching and Year 10 Visual Arts. She is a young artist with creative flair, talent and enthusiasm which engages the imaginations of all students.

Mary-Ann has exhibited in numerous exhibitions over the years with whimsical figurative works and shows regularly at the Kerrie Lowe Art Gallery in Newtown. Specialising in handbuilding techniques, drawing onto the clay surfaces, Mary-Ann builds fascinating works that engage the viewer. She is also involved with music, digital and B/W photography.

Walter was originally trained in Faenza, Italy, after graduating with an Advanced Diploma in Ceramics in 1987 he learnt traditional wheel forming in Avanos, Turkey and then studied in Miyama, Japan with Chin Jukan. Walter then set up a ceramic training centre in Eritrea, before settling in Sydney in 1997.

He has been teaching ceramics at various TAFE Colleges since 2002 and produces individual and sculptural ceramics. His works have been exhibited in Sculpture by the Sea 2005, Woollahra Small Sculpture Prize 2005 and in many solo and group shows nationally and internationally.

Somchai Charoen is a ceramic artist based in Sydney. Somchai holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Ceramic Industrial Design). He was a former lecturer in ceramics at Silpakorn University, Thailand (1994-2002).

Since migrating to Australia, he has work commercially as a mould and model maker as well as establishing his ceramic homeware label eat clay .Somchai is also practicing artist who has exhibited both nationally and internationally.