OPEN WEEKEND AT DENBIGH FEATURING FOSTER A POTTER DEMONSTRATIONS

In October 2026, Ian and Susie McIntosh invited potters, painters, furniture makers and sculptors to set up stalls around the historic outbuildings on their farm, opening the gates of Denbigh to the public to raise funds for FOSTER A POTTER (FOPO). They turned the hayshed into a cafe, a timber shed into an exhibition space, and invited visitors to wander through the colonial gardens and various outbuildings of their home in Cobbitty.

FOSTER A POTTER mentors from 2025 and 2026 – Chester Nealie, Malcolm Greenwood and Daniel Lafferty – gave fabulous hand-building and pottery wheel demonstrations, along with Steve Williams who (to the crowds’ delight) re-instated the pottery ‘shenanigans’ he and Chester got up to in Bathurst last century.

It was a terrific opportunity for anyone thinking of applying for a FOPO grant to learn about the program. Former student mentees, Siena Hyland and Matt Almera, were also on hand to advise on the application process, as well as the benefits and challenges of a year-long placement working side-by-side with a mentor in their studio.

Fostering the Flame, a beautiful exhibition of works from Australia’s most renowned potters (the above mentioned) as well as Maryke Henderson (2026 mentor), Sandy Lockwood (2024 panelist), Gabrielle Powell (2025 mentor) and Jann Kesby drew much interest in the exhibition shed. (See photos below.)

FOSTER A POTTER Directors, Vicki Grima, Jean McMaster and Susie McIntosh, along with Maryke and Sandy, were on hand to give advice to potters wanting to work towards the high calibre of works displayed in the exhibition, and to expand their pottery horizons by undertaking a FOPO placement.

It was such a warm, friendly and informative weekend. Friends and family kept everyone caffeinated in the hayshed cafe where Devonshire Tea, cakes, biscuits and a BBQ were served while musicians entertained.

The local Macarthur Ceramics Group gave workshops and pottery demonstrations in Susie’s coach-house studio, Denbigh resident Esther Bolz displayed her botanical drawings, and Rachel Burns and Ulan Murray their award-winning tree sculptures. They were joined by woodcarver Johno Oliver demonstrating timber stool-making, and James Haney (heritage builder extraordinaire) opened up his timber and stone sculpture workshop.

Entertainment for children included face-painting by Sarah O’Sullivan, a puppet show by Shakeshake Theatre, and a demonstration of cattle mustering by Jason Sharp on horseback with his trusted border collies.

Visitors enjoyed walking up to Picnic Hill to view the mountains beyond, and left happily laden with high-end, handmade art, pottery, furniture and sculpture (and a few treasures from the bric-a-brac stall).

All proceeds from the garden, cafe, bric-a-brac and silent auction (handmade platters by Susie painted by artists Zoe Young, Sassy Park, Rosemary Lee and Esther Bolz), as well as a 15% commission on all the art, pottery and sculpture sold, helped to fill the coffers of FOSTER A POTTER enabling the funding of future mentorship placements.

Many thanks to all who came and helped to make it so much fun, and such a success.