Artists

This group has been formed from a handful of enthusiastic potters who would like to see this public facility maintained both for the local community and the broader community of ceramicists.

Current Members of Clarinda Clayworkers are: Jill Anderson, Vicki Beavan, Pam Crossley, Chris Davey, Vasiliki Triantaflaros, Grissel Walmaggia, Helena Van Nimwegen, Lee Goller, Robyn Fuerst, and Beata Dorain.

Pam Crossley

I have a Master of Visual Art from the Australian National University where I majored in ceramics. I put my experience in ceramics to use when I worked as the technician and teacher at Holmesglen TAFE and teaching in schools. I have been a part of exhibitions in Brisbane, Canberra and Melbourne.
My work is embedded in the materials and the memories they generate and recall. Layers of marks and textures are fundamental to the memories of places from my childhood. In turn these memories are changed by new perceptions. Through these sculptures and traditional pottery forms, that are built one upon another, I can tell a narrative about the way that the loss of these memories means the loss of something fundamental within us.

https://www.instagram.com/pam_crossley_ceramics/

Jill Anderson

Since studying Ceramics at Holmesglen TAFE eighteen years ago, Jill’s work has transitioned
from whimsical social and political statements to sculptural vessel forms enhanced by
expressive clay surfaces.
Jill creates lively and organic pieces, based on everyday objects such as jugs, ewers, vases
and teapots. She enjoys the process of stretching and manipulating soft clay slabs and
experimenting with coloured clays, inlay, slips and textures.
Much of Jill’s current body of work is suggestive of narrative landscapes and her concern
regarding man’s impact on the environment.
Jill has been the recipient of numerous ceramics awards. She has taught art for over twenty
years in secondary schools, and currently teaches ceramics at the Beaumaris Art Group.

https://www.instagram.com/jillandersonceramics

Vicki Beavan

Vicki engaged with ceramics on a casual basis for 3 years at Beaumaris Art Group from 2013. From there she has participated in various classes, workshops and self-learning experiences to practice and develop her skills with hand building, wheel work, glazing and firing. Her current work is focused on hand building with slip decoration or terra sigillata often using a wheel thrown base. Each piece is unique and usually develops its own identity during the building process.

https://www.instagram.com/vjbpottery/

Robyn Fuerst

Robyn has trained in Ceramics and taught Visual Art for over 30 years. She is now a full time

student and doing her Ph.D at Deakin in Creative Arts. Her project is on Hidden Trauma. As a

2 nd Generation Holocaust survivor, she enjoys sharing her stories of her parents and hearing

the stories of others. She produces hand built ceramic sculptures using clay to interpret

trauma. Robyn also works in the areas of painting, photography, drawing, collage and

writing, however, clay is her first passion.

Vasiliki Triantaflaros

Vasiliki is interested in therapeutic use of clay and its ability to facilitate emotional expression.
Began working with clay over 30 years ago. During this time has facilitated pottery classes for both adults and children of all abilities, in various settings including mental health.
Completed a Bachelor in Fine Arts - Major in Ceramics and more recently a Masters in Art Therapy at Latrobe University.

Grissel Walmaggia

Grissel has a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Ceramics) and a Master of Arts (Art in Public Space) and has worked for more than 20 years in a local Government setting facilitating art and cultural outcomes for the public. Trained as a studio potter, Grissel’s passion is functional wheel work where she explores colour with hand building techniques to create fun and lovable pieces.

https://www.instagram.com/temper_and_ware/

Lee Goller

Drawing, and image-making (mostly landscape) is inportant to Lee in her clay work, which these days is mostly vessel-making. Her training includes a B. Fine Arts in Drawing and Printmaking from Victoria College, Prahran; a Masters in Fine Art from RMIT and a Master in Art Education from Melbourne University. Her knowledge of in ceramics has been acquired from extensive T.A.F.E. studies. Lee has been a finalist in the Manningham and Klytie Pate award exhibitions, She has also exhibited in many group exhibitions, as well as a participant in the Warrandyte Pottery Expo and the Dandenong Ranges Open Studios.

https://www.instagram.com/gollerlee

Chris
Daveys

Chis studied ceramics at Holmsglen TAFE and has pursued her ceramics interest whenever time has permitted. She has worked in administration for electoral offices and has a good understanding of regulation and compliance requirements.