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Me |
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My name is Graham Mercer, I am 52 years old and married. I also go by the nickname of Wookie, which stems from 1977 when the original StarWars movie was released. At the time I bore more than a passing resemblance to Chewbacka the Wookie, with lots of red-brown hair that blended into a bushy beard. In the intervening twenty plus years the colour has faded, the hairline has receded and the length has shortened - but the nickname still lingers. In 1999 I took a redundancy package after working in the aviation industry for more than 20 years. My job entailed providing weather and navigational information to a wide range of pilots, as well as receiving their flight plans and transmitting them to the various Air Traffic Services units that communicate with the aircraft during its flight. During this time I had a short dalliance with clay as a hobby in Alice Springs, 1985 which left me knowing that at some stage, when life slowed down, I would return! Rediscovered clay when I stumbled upon the most wonderful group of potters who were holding an annual Open Studio event in the Warrandyte-Eltham area. Their passion, enthusiasm and wonderful warmth instantly inspired me and rekindled the embers that still glowed deep within from that initial 1985 encounter with clay. In 2004 I completed the last year of a Diploma of Arts (Ceramics) course at the Dandenong campus of the Chisholm Institute of TAFE. I am building and equipping a pottery studio at home from where I hope to enjoy the next phase of my life as a potter/ceramic artist. My hobbies include astronomy, astrophotography, motor racing, web surfing, computer gaming, snow skiing, wine and travel. People who know me will generally agree that I have a keen sense of humour - sometimes weird, strange, quirky, sick or any number of other descriptives that you may choose - but funny none the less! Click here for some pottery humour. |
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My Home |
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I live in Warrandyte, a semi-rural environment about 25 kms (16 miles) northeast of Melbourne, which is the Capital of the State of Victoria, Australia. The Warrandyte area was first settled by Europeans in the early 1800's and the first gold discovery in Victoria was made at Warrandyte in the 1850's. The township is located beside the Yarra River and still retains the charm of a small village. Our home is about 3.5 kms from the township in an area that is still rich in native flora and fauna. The area is called the 'Green Wedge' and forms part of a system of 'lungs' for the city of Melbourne - areas of native bushland set aside between suburban developments. We are fortunate enough to have a lovely home nestled amongst the trees on the sloping side of a valley. Native birds are abundant and often visit our bird feeder which sits on our outside deck. Warrandyte
is an aboriginal word from the Woiworung language of the Wurundjeri,
who are the indigenous people of the Yarra Valley to the northeast of
Melbourne.
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Curriculum Vitae - Graham Mercer |
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Name:
Graham John Mercer
Address: 109 The Boulevard, North Warrandyte, VIC 3113
D.O.B. 7 September 1953
Phone: 03 9844 2765
Mobile: 0411 097 259
e-mail: graham@grahammercer.com.au
Mar 2005
Certificate IV in Business (Small Business Management), Box Hill Institute of TAFE, Box Hill
Jan 2002
- Nov 2004
Diploma of Arts (Ceramics), Chisholm Institute of TAFE, Dandenong.
Nov 2005 -
Ceramics Victoria (ex VCG) committee - Vice President
June 2005 - present
Launched and developing Potters Online a website design and management service for the ceramic arts field.
Nov 2004 - Nov 2005
VCG committee - Members Meetings Co-ordinator
Dec 2002
- present
Designed, established and currently maintaining the Pottery Expo website (www.potteryexpo.com)
for Jane Annois.
June
2004 Copper Reds - John Eagle at Sturt Pottery
July 2003 Moulded Flatware workshop - Joe Gentile
July 2003 Raku Techniques - Judy Roberts
July 2006 'Web Opportunities & New Technologies for Ceramicists' presentation at VERGE2006, the 11th National Ceramics Conference, Brisbane
Jun 2006 'Throwing Doughnut Teapots' for the Geelong Arthouse Potters Group
Sep 2003
Co-conducted a demonstration of a Rajistani-style sawdust kiln at VCG
Experimental Firing Day, Cranbourne
| Aug | 2006 | 18th Sydney Teapot Show, Inner City Clayworkers Gallery, Glebe |
| Apr | 2006 | Easter Teapot Exhibition, The Studio @ Flinders, Flinders |
| Mar | 2006 | Pottery Expo @ Gapsted |
| Feb | 2006 | Pottery Expo @ Warrandyte |
| Nov | 2005 | Pottery Expo @ Federation Square |
| Jul | 2005 | Sydney Teapot Show, Inner City Clayworkers Gallery, Glebe |
| Apr | 2005 | Easter Teapot Exhibition, The Studio @ Flinders, Flinders |
| Feb | 2005 | Pottery Expo @ Warrandyte |
| Dec | 2004 | Bendigo Teapot Show |
| Nov | 2004 | Valley Potters Annual Exhibition, Kingston Arts Centre, Moorabbin |
| Nov | 2004 | 'Visions & Vessels', Chisholm Institute Graduate Exhibition, Gallery 314, Richmond |
| Nov | 2004 | AustCeram 2004 Conference, Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne |
| Jul | 2004 | 'Glazed Expressions' exhibition at Hurstbridge Gallery in conjunction with Chisholm TAFE students |
| May | 2004 | 'Xposed' VCG exhibition and Pat Emery Awards, Northcote Pottery, Thornbury |
| Feb | 2004 | Pottery Expo @ Warrandyte (Chisholm Institute student exhibit) |
| Nov | 2003 | Pottery Expo @ McClelland Gallery (Chisholm Institute student exhibit) |
| Oct | 2003 | 'Pride In Our Heritage' Exhibition, Heritage Hill Historic Site, Dandenong |
| Mar | 2003 | Ceramic student exhibition in conjunction with visiting French potter Dominique Bajard, J-Space exhibition area, Chisholm Institute |
| Feb | 2003 | Pottery Expo @ Warrandyte (Chisholm Institute student exhibit). |
| Nov | 2002 | Warrandyte-Eltham Open Studio weekend |
Nov 2004 Clayworks Award (1 of 5) - Visions & Vessels Graduate Exhibition, Gallery 314
May 2004 Potters Equipment Encouragement Award - VCG Pat Emery Awards, Northcote
Pottery.
Oct 2003 Jayco Design Award, 1st place - Three Dimensional Category. 'Pride
In Our Heritage' Exhibition.
Hurstbridge
Gallery & Nursery, Hurstbridge.
The Studio @ Flinders, Flinders.
2004 - present Valley Potters (Melbourne)
2003
- present Ceramics Victoria (ex Victorian Ceramics Group)
2001 - present Clayart Newslist member
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Receiving the Potters Equipment Encouragement Award at 2004 Pat Emery ceremony from Yoko Hoshino, one of the three judges for the competition. |
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