HISTORY and the creative arts came together for the Poets of Pottery exhibition opening at the Clay Stables last Friday night ahead of the successful MAD (Mansfield and District) Potters’ Festival which ran over the weekend.

Now in its third year this annual event has secured the Labour Day weekend as an opportunity to showcase some of the shire’s best potters and others further afield to share a passion for pottery in all its artistic and functional forms.

The opening evening was also a chance for many of the guests to view the transformation of the historic police stables now aptly named The Clay Stables as a welcoming space for our local potters to work and learn.

It was an emotional moment when Barjarg’s Bill Forrest accepted the bronze plaque naming the site in memory of his late wife Joy Forrest saying he felt “very privileged”.

MAD Potters’ president Karen Pirie said the committee made the decision acknowledging Joy as “a great friend to everyone and a good potter”.

The MAD Potters took up the lease of the Old Police Stables in Curia St, Mansfield in December 2023 following recent renovations and the Mansfield Shire Council taking over management from DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action).

The stables which were built in the 1880s and last used in the 1960s has “provided an opportunity for people to practice those (pottery) skills,” said Ms Pirie.

“The council supported us in our expression of interest and the CEO Kirsten Alexander who is an apology was a great help."

The Bendigo Bank was noted for its significant contribution which enabled the group to purchase “classy equipment” and Ms Pirie added, “The support they have given us, gives us the confidence to leverage other funding."

The comprehensive thank you list included many others including potters, tradesmen, local businesses and volunteers.

Ms Pirie thanked past and present committee members saying they “got a lot done”.

The state member for Eildon, Cindy McLeish officially opened the festival.

“The people of Mansfield have such great ideas,” Ms McLeish said.

“The stables have been authentically restored and the potters’ wheels fit right in,” she said.

The evening concluded with the announcement of the winner of the Poets of Pottery which is judged on the degree of imagination and expression.

The judges Kym Clark and Liz Bannister agreed that Melbourne-based potter Harry Kyriakou’s “Moon Jar” was a stunning piece.

The festival continued on Saturday with 47 stall holders in the median strip in High St attracting plenty of interest for locals and visitors alike.

Sunday saw two pottery workshops in action to complete a busy weekend.