Unique locally made ceramics for sale in Carlton

The Carlton Arts Centre is holding its annual pottery exhibition and sale until the end of March.

Located at 189 Nicholson St, Carlton, owner and artist Julian Centofanti said the pieces were functional stoneware that could be used for cooking and serving food.

Mr Centofanti’s work created during the COVID lockdowns, when pottery classes were suspended, makes up 95 per cent of the items for sale.

Mr Centofanti took the opportunity to indulge himself instead of teaching students.

He created a collection while the pottery wheels were silent and the electric kiln was switched off.

The price ranges $15 to $350 for pieces in the exhibition.

Painted canvases by renowned artist John Mandich selling for $400 each, one-third of their regular price, are a sale feature.

Mr Centofanti teaches pottery-making using a wheel to throw the clay, apply the glaze and then fires the piece in the kiln

Hand-building classes, where the clay is shaped by hand or in slab or extruded form to create functional, free-form and sculptural pieces, are also available.

“The classes normally offered for beginners, intermediate or advanced students in a relaxed, friendly and welcoming atmosphere will resume in the second semester of 2022 at the end of April,” Mr Centofanti said.

Besides being a master craftsman and teacher, Mr Centofanti makes all the glazes used at the centre.

“Glazing is the most important step in the process as it creates the colours on the pottery,” he said.

I create special recipes and use special firing techniques in my pursuit of different glazes.

There are pieces in the exhibition featuring a crystal glaze and a beading glaze that produces a tactile coating.

He provides oxidation and reduction firing to create red on the finished ceramic.

Underglaze decoration, raku and sculpture workshops are conducted for interested students.

His assistant (after 11 years as his student) and long-time friend Alice O’Brien said, “everyone knows Julian.”

“The atmosphere in the classes is always welcoming, with some of the students returning year on year, mostly for their own pleasure,” she said.

Mr Centofanti added he has had a “whole gamut” of students over the years and was pleased to see people progress •