Verge, the 11th National Ceramics Conference will be taking place in Brisbane, Australia, from 10-14 July 2006. Its theme is "Sustainability for the Individual and the Collective". Up to 500 delegates will be involved in a five day program of lectures, panel discussions, demonstrations, exhibitions and events. The aim is to construct an environment that engages participants in an evaluation of contemporary ceramics practice within a global context.

Verge promises to be an interesting event, with eminent British-American Gallery Director and author Garth Clark delivering the keynote speech. Other key speakers include Robert Bell (Australia), Janet Deboos (Australia), Mark Del Vecchio (USA), Moyra Elliot (NZ), Gwyn Hanssen Pigott (Australia), Chris Lefteri (UK), Herbert Maly (Luxemborg), Janet Mansfield (Australia) and Kevin Murray (Australia). Demonstrators include Greg Daly, Johanna DeMaine, Michael Doolan, Kevin Grealy, Victor Greenaway, Won Seok Kim, Ludmilla Kovarikova, Vipoo Srivilasa and Kenji Uranishi.

Panellists and speakers will include Michael Keighery, Ray Cavill, Alexis Tacey, Phillip Hart, Fleur Schell, Johanna DeMaine, Bernadette Mansfield, Mel Robson, Merran Esson, Wendy Hatfield-Witt, Gerry Wedd, Peter Battaglene, Shannon Garson, Avi Amesbury, Catrina Vignado, Montelupo, Ray Meeker, Tampopo no ye, Frank Gordon, Brian Parkes, Bernard Kerr, Greg Daly, Damon Moon, Karen Weiss, Helen Stephens, Ian Were, Virginia Jones, Rowley Drysdale, Cathy Keyes, Alison Bailey and Graham Mercer.

The Verge theme, ‘Sustainability for the Individual and the Collective’, encompasses a number of practice-related issues, primarily:

• Education and Professional Development;
• The Global Market Place and New Technologies;
• Critical Discourse in Contemporary Ceramics; and
• Models of Sustainable Practice

The conference will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre, Southbank, which offers easy access to accommodation, galleries, restaurants and transport. Exhibitions providing a focused review of current and historical practice will be held on-site at the as well as at numerous galleries throughout the city and surrounding regions. Demonstrations and workshops on particular skills, techniques and national and international trends will take place on-site.