Book Launch and Exhibition in Ballarat
So, the long awaited day finally came – and went!!
Saturday was a bit of a dreary drizzly day, not unexpected in Ballarat, yet a great crowd managed to rug up, brave the cold, sip wine and talk ‘arty’ stuff in support of my book launch and exhibition – thankyou 🙂
The launch began at 2pm in the Annexe of the Art Gallery of Ballarat, where signed copies of the book was for sale and a slideshow of book contributors played in the background. Also in the background, my partner Strobe Driver plucked dulcet guitar tunes and the lovely Belinda Coates, Greens member for Ballarat, officially launched the book with a fantastic speech.
Of course, having an opening speaker, I (foolishly) thought that would get me out of saying anything – but no, thanks to Strobe I was hauled (not physically) before the microphone to say a ‘few’ words. After stumbling through a few ‘thankyou’ remarks I opened it up to questions, which worked much better than speeches (for me anyway). The questions were great, ranging from ‘how did I go about getting a publishing contract’ through to ‘how to get involved in ceramics’ ie – how to learn. Of course, at that point I flogged my own classes and workshops …lol!!
Then it was down to Backspace at 3pm to view the exhibition in the Exquisite Objects Project space with a bit more wine and some nibbles.
It was a fantastic afternoon with some great feedback on both the book and the works in the exhibition, which featured contributors to the book, both national and international.
The day was topped off with a few friends joining us afterward at Mitchell Harris Wines for a celebratory bubbles.
The exhibition runs through till the 27th July, so if you are in, near or passing through Ballarat drop into Backspace Gallery (behind the Art Gallery of Ballarat) and have a look. All works are for sale will all monies going directly to the artists (no gallery commission).
Backspace Gallery times are Thursday – Sunday 10am – 4pm.
And now for pics 🙂
Congratulations Dawn.
Posted by Leanne Cole | July 11, 2014, 1:25 pmThanks Leanne 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 11, 2014, 11:41 pmCongrats Dawn!!
So good to see the pics of your launch. Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Robyn G | July 11, 2014, 2:20 pmThanks Robyn 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 11, 2014, 11:42 pmCongratulations on your book. You ceramics are gorgeous. I love the unexpectedness and randomity of raku pottery.
Posted by AnnIsikArts | July 20, 2014, 6:05 pmHi there, thanks for the comment and thanks for the congrats…. just a slight point – pit firing and raku are two very different processes. My book is about pit firing which is firing works unglazed in the ground. Raku firing is low fired glazed work fired in a kiln and removed while still hot and given post reduction treatment… both have very results, but both look great 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 21, 2014, 7:53 amThanks for the clarification. I must have the two processes confused in my mind. I thought raku pottery was fired in the ground too and so ‘pit firing’ and ‘raku’ were just two names for the same process.
Posted by AnnIsikArts | July 21, 2014, 1:02 pmYes, it is surprising how many people think the same!!
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 21, 2014, 3:13 pmI love your ceramics; I have some pieces of Svend Bayer’s whose pottery is fairly close to me here in England and whose work I find similarly pleasing.
Posted by Hariod Brawn | July 29, 2014, 1:35 amThanks so much Hariod…. I am glad you like my work 🙂
Posted by Dawn Whitehand | July 29, 2014, 10:58 am