Ceramics & Glass Circle of Australia Inc.
Welcome to the Ceramics and Glass Circle of Australia, an organisation to promote the understanding of ceramics and glass. While we are based in Australia, we have members internationally.
The Ceramics and Glass Circle of Australia was established in 1984 when a group of like-minded individuals convened at Melbourne University with a view to establishing an association through which those interested in ceramics and glass could mix and expand their knowledge and enjoyment of the subjects. On 18 June 1984, 13 foundation members met and established the Circle.
A small and enthusiastic group, they met regularly and numbers gradually increased so that, by October 1985, the Circle had 25 members and a formal constitution and committee. Over the decades, the Circle has continued to expand and now has over 100 members and meets regularly at the Toorak Uniting Church hall.
The Circle focuses on scholarly and quality presentations, but without pretension, maintaining a warm, friendly and welcoming atmosphere. It is always interested in new and contemporary ceramics and glass, the activities of modern creatives, and to support the tastes of those interested in these arts.
Circle members enjoy a regular newsletter, monthly meetings with presentations by members, external and even international speakers, social occasions, studio and gallery visits, an annual study seminar and much enthusiastic fellowship.
The Circle has conducted numerous exhibitions, including ‘Parasols & Pagodas: the influence of Chinese and Japanese porcelain on 18th century European ceramics’, ‘Radiant Reflections in Chinese Glass’, ‘The Japanese Aesthetic: three centuries of Japanese porcelain design and Western interpretation’, and the KenDon Exhibition of Australian Ceramics, to name but a few.
The success of the Circle is due to the support of the members who are always willing to bring their precious pieces to meetings and lend them for study and exhibitions.
Membership
Join the Ceramics and Glass Circle of Australia our association through which those interested in ceramics and glass can mix and expand their knowledge and enjoyment of the subjects
Meetings and Events
This page contains details of our meetings and a list of events that may be of interest to members and followers
Links
This page contains information about local and international associations and groups that may be of interest to members and followers
Gallery
Stunning photos of ceramics and glass
2026 Upcoming meetings and events
March meeting and Annual General Meeting
We'll hold our Annual General Meeting and a Show & Tell on the theme of ‘Sacred and Profane’. Perhaps you will draw inspiration from Matthew’s presentation, perhaps you have a pagan secret you’d like to share, perhaps you have something that defies explanation. Please bring it along.
April meeting
In April we’ll hear once again from Colin Smith, who will speak on ‘Merric Boyd and Murrumbeena’, where Boyd spent most of his life and created most of his remarkable pottery and sculpture. Colin will provide a history of Murrumbeena and Boyd’s life there, including recollections of the family by their friends and associates through the years.
April meeting
In April we’ll hear once again from Colin Smith, who will speak on ‘Merric Boyd and Murrumbeena’, where Boyd spent most of his life and created most of his remarkable pottery and sculpture. Colin will provide a history of Murrumbeena and Boyd’s life there, including recollections of the family by their friends and associates through the years.
May meeting
Genine Wallinga will present on ‘Sometsuke: the birth, aesthetics and social meaning of Japanese blue and white porcelain’, looking at the first porcelain produced in Japan, from the early 17th century, to the peak of quality in about 1690, through the time of the great trade with Europe. Genine will examine the history, iconography and social and ritual meaning of these pieces.
The Patricia Begg OAM Bequest (2024)
In late 2024, the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) in Melbourne received a significant donation of over 350 pieces of ceramics and glass from the collection of the late Patricia Begg OAM, a passionate collector and former president of the Ceramics and Glass Circle of Australia. Items from the Patricia Begg OAM Bequest (2024) along with donations by Christopher Begg, her husband, in her honour are featured in a number of cabinets in the 17th & 18th Century Decorative Arts & Paintings Galleries on Level 2 of NGV International.
The Nov-Dec 2024 of the NGV magazine has an article about Patricia and the collection on p 44-47.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month starting at 7.30 pm