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, regular social occasions, such as the Spring and Autumn dinners, studio and gallery visits, an annual study weekend 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 weekends and exhibitions.
MEMBERSHIP
Join the Circle
Become a member. Please use the contact form to initiate a membership inquiry.
LINKS
Find links on this page to international ceramic and glass groups.
2023 program
September – Our speaker will be John Patrick, a renowned landscape architect, known for his public and private commissions and his role as a presenter on the ABC's Gardening Australia. John is a discerning collector of art in the decorative arts, with a particular interest in mid century Scandinavian design. His talk is entitled ‘Four Scandinavian Potters’.
October - Tim Roberts is curator at the David Roche Foundation, Adelaide, with a background in art history. Tim will speak to us about the splendid exhibition 'Wedgwood: Master Potter to the Universe', a survey of the full 265 years of Wedgwood production. The exhibition will be held at the foundation from 23 September 2023 to 27 January 2024.
November - Amanda Dunsmore, Senior Curator, International Decorative Arts and Antiquities at the National Gallery of Victoria, will speak to us on some of the gallery's latest acquisitions. As it is over 18 months since we last heard from Amanda, this should be a particularly interesting and diverse discussion.
December - As usual, our Christmas get-together will be a Show and Tell plus a lavish supper. This year, the theme will be 'Something Spiritual'. All members are encouraged to join us for a friendly social evening and to share an item or two from their collection.
Meetings are held on the second Monday of each month starting at 7.30 pm