Suvira explains heat work during the firing process

We visited well-known ceramicist and sculptor Suvira McDonald who was gearing up for this weekend’s North Coast Mud Trail

Suvira’s studio in Goonengerry is set on a steep hill surrounded by rainforest. You wind down stairs to the circular, wooden studio which has big windows looking onto the sunny garden.

Suvira expects more than 400 art lovers through his doors during this weekend’s North Coast Mud Trail.

One of the many beautiful nooks in Suvira's studio

As one of the founding members of the Mud Trail in 2012, he’s thrilled the annual event has brought so much to the region. 

“When the Australian Ceramics Association said they wanted to do an open studio day across Australia, there were nine of us local potters who took part. We decided to promote ourselves collectively and it was an instant hit.

This year, more than 20 ceramic artists and sculptors are opening their studio doors for the Mud Trail which has you winding through the stunning scenery of the Byron hinterland.

“The increasing popularity of the Mud Trail really mirrors the huge surge in demand for the handmade.

“A few years ago, restaurants got sick of anonymous white plates. Now there is a strong dialogue between the potter and the chef in terms of how they want to present their food. It’s a similar story in the home, people are now much more likely now to have a handmade teapot or serving platter.

Suvira’s ceramics practice has a focus on domestic dinnerware as well as landscape interpretations and sculpture formed in low relief and free standing modalities.

The rough textures and earthy colours of Suvira's work

“Sculpture in low relief implies it’s a wall mounted concept, when it’s quite flattened whereas high relief is where there are protruding forms from the wall. However, as a sculpture it’s not like a painting, it has texture and undulation and the images protrude from the surface.

These pieces are reminiscent of an aerial view of the Australian landscape with its rugged shapes and earthy colours. Suvira begins work on a flat surface and then builds up the image before firing it in the kiln.

It is apparent Suvira enjoys the technical aspects of ceramics and the intricacies of construction, having been a teacher of ceramics and sculpture for 20 years at Southern Cross University. More recently, he has finished a long project involving the construction of a traditional anagama, Japanese-style wood fire kiln.

“Anagama in Japanese means excavated kiln. Traditionally the side of a hill was excavated and the kiln was built inside the hill and the earth was covered back over. When kilns heat up they expand and then when they cool they settle so unless the whole thing is compressed and held it will expand to a point of collapse.

“We’ve taken that kiln design and appropriated it in the West and have found other ways to contain the expansion with buttressing or metal frames," Suvira said. 

Suvira starts placing the pieces for firing at the back of the anagama and keeps placing items in until full. He will then light the wood fire and seal it up. To gauge the progress, Suvira uses little pyrometric cones  which measure ‘heat work’ - melting at a specific point and providing a more valuable indicator than a simple temperature reading.

Inside the Anagama - the brick walls on the inside are glazed from when the ash from the wood fire rises and melts on the wall  

Some of the results from this kiln were exhibited at ‘Smoke on the Water’ National Woodfire Conference 2017. His exhibition Vestigial Vessels was a solo showing of wood fired works at Makers Gallery Brisbane in 2018. Suvira also recently showcased his work at ‘Silhouette, the Body of Nature’ at Rochfort Gallery, North Sydney

Visit Studio Suvira this weekend at 3/300 Mafeking Rd, Goonengerry.

Mud Trail map.

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Looking for a reason to escape to the Hinterland? We've compiled the best events in the Northern Rivers for the rest of 2019. 

Contact us to add your event.

Weekly and Monthly Markets 

Every Friday - Mullum Farmers Market 7-11am Mullumbimby Showground

Every Saturday - Lismore Farmers Market 7-11am Lismore Showground

Every Saturday - Bangalow Farmers Market 7-11am Bangalow Hotel car park

1st Saturday - Brunswick Heads Markets 7-2pm Memorial Park

1st & 3rd Sunday Lismore car boot market 7-2pm Lismore Square car park

1st Sunday - Byron Bay Markets 8-2 Main Beach Foreshore

2nd & 5th Sunday - Lennox Markets 8-2pm Lennox Head Community Centre 

4th Sunday - Bangalow Market 9-3pm Bangalow Showground

Read our post on the top hinterland markets. 

AUGUST

2 – 4 Aug Byron Writers Festival

The annual Byron Writers Festival is Australia’s largest and leading regional celebration of storytelling, literature and ideas. More than 150 sessions are held during Festival Week attracting more than 12,000 people to the area. More info.

17 - 18 Aug North Coast Mud Trail – Open Studios

Once a year, as part of The Australian Ceramics Association’s Open Studios, Northern Rivers’ artists open their spaces to the public for one weekend only, giving the opportunity for visitors to see demonstrations, hear artists’ talks, participate in workshops, learn about their processes, and purchase ceramics directly from the artists themselves. Read More

SEPTEMBER

7 Sep Sample Food Festival 

Each year foodies from far and wide have the opportunity to “sample” the best food and beverage, Northern New South Wales has to offer. The region’s top restaurants compete for the coveted “Gold Fork” awards and collaborate on a special luncheon. It's on at the Bangalow Showground. $5 entry at the gate. Kids Free. Free Parking all day onsite. Read more

OCTOBER 

31 Oct - 3 Nov Byron Latin Fiesta

Enjoy 3 days and 4 nights of Latin dance workshops and parties with international, national and local instructors and performers. Catering to beginners and seasoned dancers alike, there is something for everyone at Australia's longest running Latin dance festival. Read more

12 - 13 Oct Byron Bay Guitar Festival 

The Byron Bay Guitar Festival celebrates all things guitar with the best guitarists and a weekend of performances, masterclasses and showcases. Held in the iconic Byron Bay Brewery, the BBGF has staged some of the best guitarists including Kevin Borich, Ash Grunwald, British India, Dallas Frasca, Lloyd Spiegel, Jeff Martin, Hussy Hicks, Tash Wolf and the late Phil Emmanuel. Read more

NOVEMBER  

10 - 11 Nov Mullumbimby Show 

They say it's the biggest little show in Australia, situtated at the beautiful Mullumbimby Showgrounds at the base of Mount Chincogan. Read more

14 - 17 Nov Mullum Music Festival

No gates. No big headlines. No VIP areas. Basically a no hassle street festival where artists and performers mingle and where shows are held in halls, clubs and pubs rather than tents. It's a great way to experience the vibrant village of Mullumbimby. More info.

DECEMBER 

24 Dec Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival 

The Bangalow Christmas Eve Carnival is famous shire-wide. With street performers, food trucks, fair-ground rides and Christmas cheer in abundance, this is the most wonderful family-friendly event! Join in the festivities of this delightful community event held every Christmas Eve in the main street of Bangalow. Read more

The Northern Rivers is known for their markets and world-class produce.

Most residents are fiercely loyal to their local farmers and will find the majority of their weekly food shop from their markets and family butchers.

They shun the likes of Coles and Woolies due to expensive prices, stupid amounts of plastic packaging and tasteless fruit and vegetables that go bad within days. A great Choice article gives you the low down on what you’re actually eating when you buy from these chains.

Health regulations prevent you from taking pets to any of these markets which is really unfortunate. They are the perfect place to take your fury friend on a sunny day.

Here's our pick of the top five markets in the region. 

Bangalow Farmers Market

The market is held in the Bangalow Hotel car park at 1 Byron Street Bangalow every Saturday from 8 – 11am. You can tie your fury friend up at the entrance and whip in and grab your goodies.

The Bangalow Farmers Market is fantastic for local produce.  If you’re visiting and plan to cook, definitely head here. The vegetables are amazing, you will see a true rainbow of different goodies and there are numerous meat stalls with a variety of fresh and cured meats.

There are usually around 20 stalls so it’s not huge but the quality is fantastic. 

Unfortunately there is no coffee stall but after the markets you can head onto Bangalow’s main drag to grab one. We recommend Sparrow Coffee at 32-24 Byron Street. Say hello to Alice, she’s awesome.

Our top picks

French bread stall – they are there without fail, the bread is top notch and the ladies are lovely.

Nimbin Valley Dairy – they are not always there but I always grab a few bits of cheese if they are. The washed rind and marinated goats cheese are both delightful.  

Boomerang Creek Farm - Will runs a bio-dynamic farm and their produce, especially the garlic, is beautiful. Boomerang Creek basically starts at Nightcap Ridge so we know the water they’re using is the best in the world.

Apples - they can sit on the bench for weeks and still taste as fresh as the day they were picked. Apples aren’t really grown around the area so they come from a farm out at Stanthorpe.

Bangalow Market

The Bangalow Market is held on the fourth Sunday of the month from 9am – 3pm inside the Bangalow Showground. Get in early to beat the long lines of flash cars winding through Bangalow to get a park at the Showgrounds.

There is a great range of goods on offer with a definite artsy feel. You can find clothing, plants, art, records as well as hot food and the mandatory coffee.

The Showground is a lovely location for markets, especially in good weather. You wander under the huge trees and you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Lismore Car Boot Market

The Lismore Car Boot Market is held in the carpark under Lismore Square on the first and third Sunday of each month from 7:30am – 2pm.

On first inspection it looks a bit daggy but, like Lismore, there’s so much to love! It’s a huge market with a wide range of different items on offer and a great community vibe. There are four or five decent coffee stalls there but I recommend getting there early to beat the lines before you start wandering around.

You can find an abundance of fruit and vegetables, hot food, plants, bric-a-brac, antiques, records and books, linen tea towels, wool and crocheted blankets. Lismore has a rich musical history and you get a sense of it there with the fabulous buskers and performers.

Our top picks

Cupcake stall - walk in the main entrance on the corner or Uralba and Brewster Street and she is on the right. They are freshly baked and the flavours are always changing. She is such a delight as well.

Knitwear - there are many stalls with nice older ladies showing their knitted items such as beanies, jumpers, blankets and baby clothes. For the quality and time items would take to produce, it’s all reasonably priced.

Handmade furniture – we have purchased a few sets of Aidrondack chairs from OzMark Creations. They are made out of recycled fence posts so they will stand the test of time and the quality is excellent. Mark and Sue are lovely

Plants – I never leave the car boot sale without purchasing a few plants. My favourite stall is Miss Tree. Stephanie lives locally, in Rosebank and she always gives good advice.

The Channon Craft Market

Held at the Coronation Oval in The Channon on the second Sunday of the month from 9am – 3pm.  

It’s known as the longest running market in the Northern Rivers. You’re in true hippie territory here and it’s awesome. The whole community comes out for the Channon Market and it has a bit more of a crafty, chilled vibe.

It has a great range of fruit and veg stalls, fruit trees and plants, hot food, clothing, baskets, and arts and crafts. 

It’s held around the outside of Coronation Oval and they will often have musical acts in the middle where kids run around and dance and play.

I haven’t been there at the end of the market but apparently there’s a drumming circle in the middle and everyone joins in and dances.

I’d recommend getting there early and getting a park as the traffic can get a bit hectic (for country standards!) around lunchtime. Have a gold coin ready for entrance to the carpark.

Our top picks

Tridosha – they’re a small family business from Bangalow who make salt, pepper and spice blends. You buy the shaker, which is a really nice gift, and you can buy packet refills. The Mediterano blend goes with just about anything.

Shopping baskets – the hand-woven baskets are a must-have for market shopping!

Waffles – their waffles with banana and ice cream are pretty awesome.

Mullum Farmers Market

Held every Friday morning from 7 – 11am at the Mullumbimby Showground located at 51 Main Arm Road, Mullumbimby.

The Mullumbimby community is known for their clean, green way of life and the market is a perfect example of this.

You will find all of your fruit and vegetables as well as homemade jams, local meats, baked goodies and a wide range of other items. You wander under the massive fig trees and there’s always really good live music and a great community vibe.

Our top picks

Alive Foods – if you’re into fermented foods, you will love their traditional Sauerkraut and Kim-Chi.

Bangalow Potatoes – their Dutch Cream potatoes are absolutely delicious and perfect for your potato salad and great for frying. They’re also at Bangalow Farmers Market.