Born in Melbourne 1962 and raised in a family where creativity was encouraged in many ways. I’ve lived in Mount Eliza on the Mornington Peninsula since a teenager and felt very fortunate to have grown up in such a beautiful part of the world.
After studying art at Mount Eliza Secondary College, I continued to follow my passion for ceramics and completed my Bachelor of Arts degree in Ceramic Design at Caulfield Monash University in 1984. I quickly found a love for teaching and continue to this very day to share my knowledge of clay to all ages.
Over the years I’ve enjoyed exhibiting pieces in various shows overseas in China, interstate and many local galleries, also receiving numerous awards along the way.
Though I very much enjoy using stoneware clay, working with Raku is what intrigues me the most. This raw, earthy, ancient Japanese firing process offers all the excitement a potter could ever need! Experiencing these wonderfully rich tones and spontaneous glaze results is like dancing through an adventure playground, constantly being drawn down the many paths still yet to explore. Each one-off piece presents movement and its own unique personality.
“Clay has always been the core medium for travelling through my creative journey. It is my soul food.”
Manuela runs the Mount Eliza Pottery Studio, where she offers a range of classes for all ages and learning stages, including hand-building, sculpture and use of the potter’s wheel.
