The Clay Stables – community pottery studio is a place for those looking to practice skills and for those who want to join a group and reconnect with like minded people in a social setting.
From time to tme we may run workshops or classes. For example over the Labour Day weekend we engaged Fleur Schell to run 2 ‘handbuilding with porcelain’ workshops.
Currently we are setting our schedule for Sessions. We are looking to have this information on our website and available to members by the end of March.
We manage the Studio in blocks of 3 hour sessions overseen by a Studio Host. A Host is responsible for looking after the venue during the session – making sure everyone is observing safety and ensuring they clean up their space, locking and unlocking and taking sales of clay and firing fees. A Host isn’t a teacher, but if they have skills to share it would be perfectly fine to do so.
Our available sessions will depend on what our Hosts can commit to. The more Hosts we have, the more sessions we’ll be able to offer – day or evening.
The advantage of being a Host. If a Host volunteers for 2 sessions a month, they can go to any other session in the same month free.
A normal 3 hour session costs $20 or $10 for a concession card holder.
In 2024 MAD Potters made the decision to name the community pottery studio ‘The Clay Stables’ recognising the significance of the original use of the building as the Police stables, and reflecting its new use as pottery studio.
The Clay Stables also commemorates the memory of Joy Forrest. Joy was our friend, a fellow potter and valued community person. Her passing is such a loss and we wanted to make the community pottery studio a positive loving reminder of her. She was a doer and an innovator and we love that we can remember Joy in this way and are so happy that Bill, her husband, will be part of making the journey with us as we establish this community facility in her memory.
Future plans for The Clay Stables include gardens around the building, a disabled toilet, community projects and equipment.
All welcome to come and visit The Clay Stables, community pottery studio for the inaugural Open Day on Sunday 15th December 12 – 3.00pm.
Find out how you can join up to this fantastic studio and be part of an exciting and vibrant community group.
For more information contact: secretary@madpotters.org.au
The Clay Stables - Community Pottery Studio to become a reality!
In December 2023 MAD Potters took up the lease of the historic Old Police Stables in Curia St, Mansfield. We now have a premises where we can begin to set up a community pottery studio, which we have named ‘The Clay Stables’. The name recognises the historical use of the building and reflects its current use.
We are currently building awareness of this community asset and will be fundraising for equipment to realise the project completely.
During 2021/22, the former Police Stables were renovated and brought back to its original state. Mansfield Shire Council who are the managers of the premises advertised for expressions of interest to lease the building. MAD Potters were successful and now have a long term lease in order to establish a community pottery studio.
The Clay Stables community pottery studio will make a difference to our community by having a place to meet up, create and be educated in the craft of pottery.
It will enable the creative reincarnation of an historic building, built in the 1880’s as Police Stables, and not used since the 1960’s. It is situated in the centre of the Mansfield township and has ubiquitous access. A community pottery studio is a new idea to the Mansfield District. Our community is lively, creative and ambitious. This new venture will support the general vibe of our community and since the success of the Mansfield Pottery Festival and receiving a commendation in the Australian Events Award and Community Event of the Year, the community is looking to us to lead the way for this project. By showing that an idea can become a reality is itself a motivator for others to get inspired and make good things happen. We are all winners when this happens!
Donations will be used to purchase equipment for The Clay Stables, community pottery studio. The end result will be a place where people, experienced and new to pottery can utilise equipment that would otherwise not be available to them.
Thank you to our sponsors!
