Ceramist Susie Buykx is the latest to exhibit in the Benalla Art Gallery shop

The Benalla Art Gallery Shop exhibits are popular with visitors and provide opportunities for local artists to show off their work.

The Last Exhibition, by Susie Buykx de Benalla, teepee potsis an attractive exhibition of ceramics.

The exhibit, which will run throughout May, is an elegant set of lightweight pots that strongly reflect the atmospheric qualities of a Victorian North East sunset as the seasons change.

Susie Buykx has lived in North East Victoria for many years. She was introduced to pottery some time ago and took short courses as her life dictated.

However, she is largely self-taught. She took workshops and day classes to hone her skills and showed off her pots at the Victorian Craft Centre.

Ms. Buykx spoke about the development and inspiration of her works.

“As the bush walks, the natural colors and lines of Victoria’s northeast country, and the changing hues of the pasture country and bushland are a constant source of inspiration,” Ms Buykx said.

“Later, on trips abroad, I visited many potters in France and Spain and was inspired by the natural affinity they had for their local heritage and landscape.

“One of my favorite styles is teepee shooting (fire restrictions permitting).

“These pots were fired at my son’s property in the hills of Warrenbayne.

“Using and loving clay, simply put, is a passion.”

Benalla Art Gallery Director Eric Nash said Ms Buykx’s new Gallery Shop exhibition was another example of our region’s creative talent,

“I’m sure the works will be very popular with visitors,” Mr. Nash said.

In January, Benalla Art Gallery announced a process for area artists to apply for rotating monthly exhibitions in the gallery’s shop windows.

The new program is designed to better promote and support local and regional creative practices.

Ms. Buykx’s new exhibition follows previous successful Gallery Shop exhibitions by Pauline Fraser, Maggie Hollins and Lorna Hobbs.