Selected and featured artist exhibitions like these help us recognize how talented ceramic artists can manipulate the activity of 'just playing with clay' along various exploratory, sculptural and decorative avenues, much to the delight and wonder of the viewer. When makers expand on their ideas and imagination they provide added interest to their craft and evoke more admiration from the viewer.

Zeck certainly exemplifies his impressive skill in building seriously large urns then he turns around and throws funky shapes in bright colours at us. In this body of work we can identify soul soothing influences from the Orient and mind blowing fun with form. And yes, there are some beautiful and functional pieces as well. Zeck's ability to decorate 3D forms in compositions of elegant marks and coloured glazes that seem part of, not just placed on, his vessels is very much appreciated. His total artistry is even more noted when wheel work is displayed with excellent easel works like the charcoal drawings and colourful paintings seen here. I particularly like the works on paper that illustrate how the artist voluntarily dissolves into the artwork.

If you're are looking for more variety of ceramic art styles check out the CAAWA exhibition and enjoy a plethora of excellent exhibits. The gallery is filled to overflowing with intricate and ingenious efforts of functional, decorative and sculptural works of clay.

Look for the strong warm pieces by Greg Crowe and Stewart Scrambler, and the colourful creations by Fleur Schell and Robyn Lees. You will appreciate the glorious glazes employed by Ian MacRae and Rosemary Schoen as well as the intriguing surfaces created by Helen Foster and Ian Dowling. When it comes to delicacy check out the flat, lace like swirls of Shadow Dance by Andrea Vinkovic and for those who appreciate chunky work look for the patchwork urn At the Park by Roverina Haizer.

The 3D works are nicely set off by four large still life paintings by Dianna Watson. A variety of vessels in all manner of material ~ metal jugs, ceramic bowls, glass bottles, woven baskets and clay pots ~ are beautifully rendered in warm earth colours and accented with hues that reflect the glazes of the ceramic works on display.

Here are two exhibitions well worth viewing. You will look with wonder and want to have and to hold many of these results of just playing with clay.