Carlotta ceramic artist Cher Shackleton covets place in Southern Art and Craft Trail

A talented ceramic artist has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, as part of a major celebration of some of the best creatives in the State’ South.

Cher Shackleton is one of 55 artists included as part of the 2022 Southern Arts and Craft Trail, highlighting the diverse range of works in the South West and Great Southern, spanning from Nannup to Lake Grace.

Shackleton, who hails from the Nannup suburb of Carlotta, has been involved with ceramics in WA for over 40 years and specialises in wood-firing ceramic technique.

She said it had been a pleasure being part of this year’s event.

“I used to be a production thrower, which was bread and butter money for me and as I progressed, I became more involved in wood-firing kilns,” she said.

Originally from Perth, Shackleton says the laid-back and more quiet lifestyle in the South West inspired her to relocate.

“We’ve spent a lot of time in the South West and spend a lot of time in Margaret River, so we decided to quit the city and come down,” she said.

“It’s just nice to get away from the crazy noise and I get excited when an airplane goes over now.”

Shackleton also says the interest for ceramic wood-firing in WA has brought people from all over Australia, including Queensland, Victoria and South Australia, to the area of Carlotta and to her studio.

“People just want to know about it and I have 60 people on the waiting list,” she said.

“They all been inspired and they can’t access a wood kiln, and there are a couple well-known wood-firers in WA but they don’t share!”

The Southern Arts and Craft Trail, run by Art South WA, will run until this Sunday.

More information is available at https://artsouthwa.com.au/southern-art-and-craft-trail/.