By Megan Badcock
Earlier this term, the Grade 5/6 students from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic School took a creative journey down to the Deloraine Creative Studios for a hands-on clay workshop led by local artist Tracey White.
During their first session, students were inspired by Tracey to design and sculpt expressive, personality-filled clay mugs. They began by creating a mood board to guide their designs before shaping their pieces using Tasmanian white clay. Under Tracey’s expert guidance, they learned a variety of clay techniques including coiling, slab work, and the essential ‘score and slip’ method to join pieces. Each student crafted a unique and functional mug, bringing character and emotion to life through sculpted facial features.
For many, the tactile process was a breakthrough. “I really enjoyed working with clay,” says student Oliver Brunner. “I’ve never connected with drawing or painting, but with clay I could change things as I went along. I was proud of my final piece and had a great time working with Tracey at the studio.”
The second session focused on glazing, where the students added vibrant colour and detail to finish their designs. Tracey says she was delighted by their approach: “It was an absolute pleasure working with the students from Our Lady of Mercy. They were a creative and cheerful group, and I was so impressed with the imagination they brought to their designs.”
Tracey is a regular at the Deloraine Creative Studios and embraced the opportunity to mentor these budding young artists. The visit left a lasting impression on the students and staff alike.
The Our Lady of Mercy community is deeply grateful to both Tracey and the Deloraine Creative Studios for their generosity and inspiration. We are truly fortunate to live in a town like Deloraine, where community-minded individuals and spaces foster creativity in our young people. The students returned to school feeling inspired and motivated to pursue art both in class and beyond.
