Established in 1993, the Ceramic Arts Association of WA (CAAWA) is a not for profit organisation run by members aiming to promote all aspects of handmade pottery and ceramic sculpture to anyone with an interest in the subject.
CAAWA’s Objectives
• To promote among practitioners and non-practitioners the production and appreciation of ceramics and to act as an umbrella group to represent their interests.
• To raise the profile of clay within the community culturally, educationally, politically and socially.
• To encourage the sharing of ideas, activities and information pertaining to ceramics and to develop strategies and structures for their implementation.
• To promote and facilitate the marketing of work of those practising in ceramics in Western Australia.
• To promote ceramics education, at all levels, within the state and to facilitate the transition from student to practitioner.
• To encourage balanced, critical evaluation and writing concerning ceramics.
• To liaise with other Australian and international ceramics associations, in order, to develop a comprehensive vision.
The CAAWA Selective Exhibition is a showcase of ceramic artworks by members of CAAWA. The exhibition is presented biannually by the Association. All members, including students, hobbyists or professional potters, are invited to submit pieces for selection. A guest judge with significant experience in the arts is invited by the committee to select the artwork for the exhibition and from the final selection, nominate artists for the following awards. THE KUSNIK AWARD (formally the Award of Excellence) is named after our esteemed friend and colleague Mike Kusnik. Mike’s long history in the ceramic community ranges from industrial ceramics to the hobby potter. He has always been (and continues to be) an enormous help and support to the ceramic community, sharing his vast wealth of knowledge. Now in his late 80’s his interest in ceramic technology is as strong as ever. We are very proud to name this award after this very humble man. The award is accompanied by a $1,500 cheque.
THE JUDGE’S AWARD
This award is purely the judge’s choice and is accompanied by a $500 cheque.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
This award has proven very popular. Visitors to the gallery are invited to walk through the exhibition, enjoy the diversity of creativity and techniques, then vote for their favourite art work. Votes are counted near the end of the exhibition and the winner receives a $500 cheque.
HIGHLY COMMENDED AWARDS
There are three Highly Commended awards, each presented with a certificate and a $150 cheque.
GUEST JUDGE
The Exhibition will be opened and adjudicated by one of Perth’s esteemed curators, Director of Gallery East, Jánis Nedéla. Jánis served on the curatorial staff
of the Art Gallery of Western Australia for fourteen years, and is significantly skilled in the display of artworks with an unrivalled knowledge of Western Australia’s leading
contemporary craft practitioners. Jánis is also an authorised valuer for the Commonwealth Government’s ‘Cultural Gifts Program'.
