Plan Your Visit
Experience
Gundaroo
Gundaroo is ten minutes off the Federal Highway from Sydney and 25 minutes from Canberra. The historic village lies near the Yass River and is typical of a 19th century village. The main street is well preserved in its original character. Drop by to meet a local and experience a taste of a lifestyle few of us can only dream of.
Old St. Lukes Studio
When Ian Jones – master potter for over 30 years stood before the burnt-out ruin of a historic stone church, he wondered if he'd truly gone 'potty'.
However, twenty years on, the Old Saint Lukes Studio and Gallery has blossomed into one of regional Canberra's must-see hotspots. Snaking along the meandering driveway you arrive at the biscuit yellow sandstone church built in 1848. Ian talks to you about the history of the old church, the graveyard and the remaining traces of the historic village, before taking you through to the studio and gallery and over to the nine-metre wood-fired kiln. He even arranges pottery-making demonstrations for larger groups.
At tour's end, you'll enjoy a coffee - and as Ian used to own the stylish, Cork Street Café in Gundaroo, he makes a brew that will make your toes curl! In the early 90's Ian met fellow potter Moraig McKenna, aptly inside a kiln.
Their passion for each other and pottery saw the business grow into something wonderful. Ian and Moraig specialise in wood-fired ceramics. Pots are earthy creatures so the ash from the wood-fired kiln delivers an end product that is highly collectable in the world of ceramics, particularly in Japan, where woodfired kilns are held sacred.
Working primarily with 'anagama' style kilns and unglazed clay surfaces, most of Moraig's work is made using a porcelain clay developed especially for wood-firing. A lovely touch is Moraig's imprint on each of her pots. For Moraig, these marks form a nexus between potter and end user and lends a touch of individuality to each piece
Old St. Lukes Studio
Shingle Hill Way
Gundaroo NSW 2620
Visit Website
02 6236 8197
Opening hours:
Sat/Sun & most Public Hols
10.30am - 5pm
