Entertainment
5 November, 2026
European-inspired works on show
HERBERTON artist Jean McMaster is hosting an Open Studio over two days this weekend which will feature kiln talks, clay-making demonstrations, and a reflection on her European residency earlier this year.
From wine barrel offcuts in France to a changing timber supply in Hungary, Jean’s European research revealed how resourcefulness and community help keep pottery traditions alive.
Her project, Fire and Place, took her to the pottery community of La Borne, France, as well as a June residency at the International Ceramics Studio in Kecskemét, Hungary.
In La Borne, ceramic artist Jane Annois introduced Jean to potters, workshops, and kilns where she learned about designs that use less wood, produce cleaner combustion, and make firing less physically demanding.
In Hungary, the local artist made vessels for a salt firing, drawing inspiration from Hungarian folk art, with some bowls incorporating slips made from clay collected in the forests near La Borne.
For Jean, the experience highlighted how sharing knowledge helps potters adapt to changing materials, fuel supplies, and the wider challenges of climate change.
Back in Herberton, the research is informing her work with local clay, rock, and wood ash, with plans to have a second kiln alongside her existing wood kiln, ‘Tiny Train’.
The Open Studio offers visitors an opportunity to see the pots, hear about the journey, and discover how materials from the surrounding landscape become part of Jean’s work.
“Join me for a talk beside my wood-fired kiln, Tiny Train. I’ll share how the kiln works and how I use local clays, rocks, and wood ash to create ceramics that reflect the landscape around my Herberton studio,” Jean said.
“I’ll also share discoveries from Fire and Place, my research into sustainable wood-firing in France and Hungary, and how these experiences are shaping my work at home.”
The event will be held at 4 Edith Street, Herberton this Saturday and Sunday from 10am-4pm. For more information, visit https://jeanmcmaster.com.au/
