WITH the mercury hitting the mid-30s and a shimmer of heat across the township, The Clay Stables were a surprisingly cool and peaceful refuge on the Sunday afternoon, as members from the Mansfield and District Potters welcomed the community into the pottery studio. The December 15 event represented an opportunity for Mansfield to come and see the space, with MAD Potters president Karen Pirie thrilled at the response and interest on the day. Karen thanked the community for their ongoing support and acknowledged the studio would not have been possible without the assistance of council and the leasing of the old police stables. Built in the 1880s, and abandoned in the 1960s, the Curia Street stables were renovated during COVID to their beautiful original condition. "The space is now having a creative reincarnation as a community pottery studio," said Karen. "It's a great privilege to be able to use the space and welcome back community participation." Taking into account the historical significance of the stables, the MAD Potters have approached its transition with an empathetic eye, ensuring the intrinsic character of the space sustains. "Grant funding and generous private donations have given us the means to purchase top of the range equipment that will stand the test of time," Karen said. "This really has been a massive community effort with many individuals and organisations championing and encouraging us." The group envisages the studio will be operational early in the new year, with the arrival of the Rodhe kilns which are coming all the way from Germany. "The questionnaire filled out by visitors at the open day will be used to inform and plan future programs, workshops and demonstrations," said Karen. "In establishing a new group and studio, it's important to get intel on what people would like to see from The Clay Stables. "Our group has some great ideas but having additional community input is really valuable." Karen said people at the open day were rapt to see the building and hear about its history and the future plans for the studio.. "We look forward to an exciting and creative 2025," she said. If you would like to know more, Karen encourages community to join the MAD Potters mailing list via the group's website www.madpotters.org.au.
