Jenny Miller Nixon

While teaching ceramics at Midland Technical School, Jenny Miller Nixon became acutely aware of the difficulties for new graduates to enter the industry. The costs of setting up a studio and locating outlets for their work were the two main hurdles. Many students also lacked experience in dealing with the public, setting up displays and keeping accounts.

In 1978 after attending a ceramics conference in Sydney Jenny began to formulate the structure for a cooperative workshop/gallery. Twenty one of her former students each made a significant financial commitment towards the new enterprise. The original premises was the old camel stables of the Rose and Crown Hotel. They hadn’t been used for years so Jenny, her students and any willing family members had a busy bee to create the Guildford Village Potters Club.

Eight years later when the group had outgrown the camel stables, the Swan Shire leased them one of the buildings in the village’s main historic precinct. Once again the group set about cleaning, painting and patching their new premises. Because they are open seven days a week their workshop gallery doubled as the tourist centre for the Swan Valley Tourist Commission for many years. Although the Tourist Commission now operates independently, the group still provides regular demonstrations of their craft to Swan Valley tourists. Members also run structured classes from the centre.

Jenny Miller Nixon now produces a range of products for tourism and domestic use, which she sells through the Guildford premises and other galleries. She continues experimenting with new mediums and is particularly interested in glaze technology. In 1987 she received the Swan Shire Art Award and also the Citizen of the Year Award for her contribution to the community.

Though a few of her original students have moved away and set up their own studios, and some current members have been trained elsewhere, most of her original Midland Technical School students have remained. The cohesion of the group is enhanced by the strong sense of democracy that prevails through regularly rotating roles and responsibilities. Members of the Guildford Village Potters Club reflect many different styles and techniques and some exhibit their work in other galleries. For the following Midland Technical school graduates, the support gained through Jenny Miller Nixon’s concept has enabled them to develop their skills and make a significant contribution to the local Arts and Tourism Industries:

	Verna Atkinson often combines hand-building with  throwing and is currently experimenting with glazes.
	Betty Bogovich specialises in pit firing to create earthy  textures.
	Georgie Boddington produces decorative functional  ware often featuring blue glazes against a white background.
	Janice Bradley tends to explore different techniques and  runs classes at the gallery.
	Joy Churack produces functional pieces with fruit designs.
	Cathy Day produces traditional ware with wildflower motives  as well as melted glass wall plaques.
	Helen Dundo produces unique sculptural pieces.
	Pauline Gill often incorporates landscapes into her designs  and also paints.
	Lyne Graham specialises in very large pieces.
	Vee Haper produces functional ware.
	Val Matisons works with crystal glazing.
	Val Patton also works with crystal glazing.
	Rosemary Shoen has been experimenting in copper red  reduction glazes and also paints and draws.
	Jenny Sunderland produces pastel designed tableware and  raku.
	Joan Tyers produces strong classical shapes.
	Bernie Wakefield produces pastel function ware.
	Helen Whitehead specialises in classical raku pots.

 

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