Ceramicists around Ballarat are opening their studios this weekend to give the public an insight into their creative lives.
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There is a strong community of ceramicists in the region, with three studios open within a 20 minute drive of Ballarat and another eight open in areas further afield.
Springmount ceramicist Kim Haughie will welcome visitors to her studio on her property in Springmount throughout the weekend.
She said the open studio provided an insight into her working world.
She sits making at her potting wheel in the earthy wood studio looking out to plants and bushland, often in the company of her beloved dog.
"You get immersed in their world, I think that is a nice thing for visitors to have. It is interesting to see the creative process," Ms Haughie said.
Ms Haughie began working in ceramics full-time in 2010 after completing a Diploma of Ceramics at Federation University in Ballarat.
"I came to clay quite later in life when my children were little," she said.
"As soon as I turned up and got my fingers in to clay that was it. It felt like I was making up for lost time and this was what I should have been doing all along."
Ms Haughie's work is earthy, yet organic and refined. She enjoys creating vases, platters and planters to celebrate the 'fruits of nature'.
She said she has noticed a 'resurgence' in pottery, particularly accompanying the slow food movement as people make ethical decisions to choose what they eat from as well.
Ceramicist Ruby Pilven is also responding to the increasing interest in locally made, hand made items, with high demand in Melbourne, Ballarat and abroad for her brightly coloured porcelain ceramics, featuring layers of colour and pattern.
Her studio in Smythes Creek will also be open for the Australian Ceramics Open Studios this weekend.
Nearby, Barry Wemyss of Red Echidna Studios will also open his studio, welcoming visitors to see his Japanese influenced pieces and how he uses sticks from his property as handles on teapots.
Mr Wemyss grew up in the nearby goldfields town of Smythesdale. Following an occupation in engineering, Barry turned his attention to the arts, where he undertook formal studies at the University of Ballarat.
Visit australianceramics.com/events/australian-ceramics-open-studios-2019 for the full list of open studios.