distances and to commit to attending regular
A few years ago Fay damaged her shoulder,
classes. These obstacles then inspired a
which made it impossible for her to throw on a
group of local women to form an arts support wheel, especially the large pieces she was just
group – the Jumping Ants Arts Group.
beginning to master. Instead of downing her
Fay was an early member of Jumping
pottery tools and retiring, Fay began sculpting
Ants, a not-for-profit collective of artists and
with clay and has found a new creative outlet.
artisans living in the South Burnett region
“I’ve only been potting for nine years,” says Fay.
in Queensland, Australia. They regularly
“I’m 74 years old so it will probably be age that
hold meet-and-try days, a concept Fay thinks
beats me, but I’ve just bought a new kiln and
is quite unique. “The Jumping Ants Arts
I’m able to throw smaller pieces again, so right
Group began as a self-help group; originally
now I need to pot on!”
artists using different mediums would
Find out more about the ReFire
come together regularly and help each
Project at www.facebook.com/
other to learn a skill. People would be on
ReFirePotteryProject/
hand to guide but not necessarily to teach,”
explains Fay.
Over time the group has expanded to
Author: Melissa Barnett, 55yo, lives on a
holding come-and-try days with Jumping
cattle property in the South Burnett. She
Ants members teaching skills in public
had a mid-life crisis and decided to do
classes lasting just a few hours on a regular journalism ten years ago. Currently she
rotation. “I think the arts are vital to rural
writes for a business web portal, and runs
communities. They offer connection,
a farm stay business and a cattle enterprise.
friendship, camaraderie and in the hard
She bought a pottery wheel several years
times, support and distraction. I love
ago and still hasn’t thrown a pot – but lives
teaching and I think artists naturally want
in hope. www.taabingastation.com.au
to share their knowledge,” says Fay.
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