2026 Mansfield Pottery Festival – Thank You!
We at MAD Potters would like to wholeheartedly thank everyone who joined us for this year’s Pottery Festival. Thanks to your enthusiasm and support, the event was an outstanding success, graced by perfect weather and wonderful community spirit.
This being our 4th Festival, it has truly established itself as a highlight on the pottery calendar. The incredible range of work, from functional pieces to sculptural masterpieces, beautifully showcased the diversity and creativity that clay inspires. Mansfield is proud to host this event, and it was heartwarming to hear from both locals and visitors alike about their deep appreciation and love for the Festival.
A special shoutout to the talented local musicians who performed at the Friday night Festival Gig and during the Potters Market. Their music created an inviting atmosphere that delighted audiences and stallholders alike. The Clay Play area was buzzing with excitement, welcoming over 200 children, and a few sneaky adults!, to get hands-on and immerse themselves in the joy of working with clay.
Saturday night’s Potters Dinner was a highlight, featuring inspiring artist talks by Miranda Burgess and Mark Gambino. Their insights into the remarkable public installation at Martin Place station on the new Sydney Metro were truly captivating. Learning about the dedication behind creating the mural—with its 17,000 hand-rolled, glazed, and fired tiles designed by Melbourne artist Mikala Dwyer—left us all inspired and in awe of this monumental artistic achievement.
We were also privileged to host two exceptional workshops: Mark Gambino’s advanced wheel throwing session and Miranda Burgess’s hand building workshop focused on sculptural forms incorporating wire. Both workshops were met with enthusiasm and offered participants invaluable skills and creative inspiration.
Overall, this year’s Festival welcomed its largest crowd yet, and we’re thrilled to see a growing number of new Members joining The Clay Stables community pottery studio. It’s wonderful to witness so many people inspired by pottery and eager to try their hand at this timeless craft.
Finally, we want to extend a huge shout-out to our sponsors for their generous support. Together, we’ve made this year’s Pottery Festival better than ever!
Thank you once again to everyone who contributed to making this event so special. We look forward to sharing many more creative moments with you in the years ahead
