The Imlay Craft Group is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, and is on the lookout for news members to help celebrate the milestone.
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The group will hold an exhibition during next weekend’s Eden Whale Festival to showcase some of its work, and to pass on information to interested newcomers.
“The strength of this group is that we have a fully functioning workshop – we have kilns, wheels and everything you need – all you have to pay for is your clay,” group member Terry Love said.
“All the hard work to get the equipment has been done over the years – our push now is to let people know that this is here.”
The group meets in the workshop behind the Eden Visitor Information Centre on the first Saturday of each month, at 10.30am.
Terry said the group also holds yearly workshops to learn new skills, but that the lack of regular classes has led to a drop in numbers in recent years.
Jan Kruizinga joined Imlay Craft just three months after the group was formed, and remains a dedicated member today.
“Even though there aren’t proper classes, there is always help available,” she said.
“Many of us have been potting for a long time, and we’re happy to help out and show you different things.
“We all work together to help each other.”
While pottery may not be as popular as it once was, Jan says it’s not a thing of the past.
She believes it’s simply a matter of giving it a go.
“Years ago, I used to put ads up at the school for children’s classes,” she said.
“I remember, once, I ended up with 61 kids.
“They loved it then and they would still love it now.”
The group is applying for a grant through the Mumballa Foundation in the hope of getting children’s classes up and running once again.
“We realise that we have to reach out to the youth, because at the moment, our youngest member is 40,” Terry said.
“We came through the 'hippie' generation when pottery was a cool thing to do, and it was seen as a lifestyle choice.
“Now, the kids have so many other directions to go in.
“I’m sure they would love it; it’s just that they haven’t tried it and don’t know this is here.”
The '40 years of the Imlay Craft Group’ exhibition will be held alongside the photography exhibition in the Captain’s Table, at the Eden Fishermen’s Club throughout the Eden Whale Festival on November 1-2.
For more information, contact Terry on 0435 248 762.