By Ewen McRae
Maria Artigas runs the pottery programs at the Deer Park Hunt Club. She spoke with Ewen McRae
What is your connection to Brimbank?
I have been living in the western suburbs since 1974, most of that time in the Brimbank area.
What do you like best about the area?
The area is remarkably rich in cultural diversity and I like to imbibe other cultures.
What could make the area better?
Green areas with native trees and shrubs.
Where is your favourite place to go for a feed in Brimbank?
I love the restaurants around Sunshine and
St Albans.
How long have you been involved in the pottery classes at the Hunt Club, and how did you become involved?
I have been running classes at the Hunt Club since 2008.
What have been some of the highlights of your time running these classes?
To know so many extraordinary, kind, artistic people along the years and see them flourish and reach their potential.
I hear you are looking for more participants to ensure the classes continue to run, what is involved in the classes?
In our lovely bright Pottery Studio, we run hand-building and wheel-throwing classes for adults and children. The classes cater to different levels from beginners to advanced and participants learn a variety of techniques ranging from pinch pots, coiling, slab work to sculptural forms and work turned on the wheel.
Each person is encouraged to make what they are interested in eg bowls, plates, cups, sculptures, and all works are fired.
In term 1, Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning classes have been postponed until term 2 however we are taking expressions of interest and will run a class if there is sufficient enrolments. The eight week Wednesday night and Friday morning programs for adults are both full. We are open for enrolments for “Play with Clay” a program for children 8-12 years starting Saturday, March 2. We will also run a no cost explore clay activity for young people at the Deer Park library during Youth Week, and school holiday programs for children and young people in April
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I have no idea. Different people would get surprised by different things, I guess.w
