The event is hosted by the Australian Ceramics Association and shines a spotlight on the diverse practice of Australian artists working with clay, while allowing community members to step inside the creative spaces of contemporary potters and ceramicists. 

Graham, who has worked as a ceramicist for a decade, said the event allowed people to unearth their local potters. She comes from a family of artists, with her late father a sculpture and mother a printmaker. Her brother is also an artist.

She creates contemporary functional ceramics like tableware and accessories, inspired by traditional Asian ceramics techniques. 

“I have travelled a lot and was really influenced by the freedom of technique with Japanese design,” she said.

Graham is also influenced by the environment in which she works. She mixes her own clays and creates her own glazes by mixing commercial bases with natural elements around her studio, like ash from her fire, iron from the spring which runs near her house, clay from her dam and quartz from her driveway.

“I like to be unique in my work,” she said. 

Graham said the open studio event would allow people to see the extensive process that goes into her ceramics, like making a cup.

“I want to bring people’s attention to the work that goes into my pieces. People ask why a cup costs $40 and that’s because of all the work I put into it. It has to be fired twice and glazed.

“It’s not just the physical work but the time it takes,” she said.

“It can take about four months for me to make enough pieces to fire the kiln. This is about 250 to 300 pieces, depending on how big they are. This adds value and weight to the final product.”

The event will take place on August 18 and 19 from 10am to 4pm. Graham’s studio is at 2 Hogans Lane, Musk Vale. Visit https://www.australianceramicscommunity.com/listing-type/acos/ for more information.