General News
10 June, 2025
Flourish creativity with ceramic art
Dimboola's newest addition to the main street is almost open and is set to bring creativity to the town through ceramic art.
After being in the industry for many years, George Khut is ready to bring his talent and pass on a wealth of knowledge in his latest business venture, Dimboola Pottery.
Located in the former CFA building at 103 Lloyd Street, Mr Khut said he's excited to share his love of pottery here.
"There's not a lot of opportunities in regional Victoria for pottery classes," he said.
"When I googled the town, Steampunk came up and I saw how quirky the town is.
"I thought this is something I could get used to.
"Dimboola is really friendly, inviting and the location is perfect."
Mr Khut purchased the site in March 2024 before officially moving to town later in November from New South Wales.
He said he was always interested in pots and ceramics although
"I was very interested in the glazes and shapes they do," he said.
Mr Khut studied pottery in the 1990's with Les Blakeborough and Ben Richardson before pursuing a 20-year career as a researcher and academic making and exhibiting award-winning interactive art.
After many years working in the digital realm, Mr Khut hungered for the tactility and physicality of working with clay and began reconnecting with clay through evening pottery classes.
In 2021 he accepted the offer of a voluntary redundancy from his lecturing position at UNSW and with support from close friends, Mr Khut began building a professional pottery studio practice, purchasing kilns and equipment for processing class.
Developing his skills, he worked as a studio assistant for Malcolm Greenwood (Mosman) and Simon Reece (Blackhealth), making tableware for some of Australia’s leading fine-dining establishments.
He eventually rented studio space to explore production-pottery methods for making functional tableware.
"It was a bit of a detour but here we are," he said.
Mr Khut searched for an affordable studio space from New South Wales all the way to country South Australia and eventually landed on Dimboola which met his four requirements.
"I knew it had to be a big shed, have toilets, airconditioning and zoning to be able to live on the premises," he said.
Although the official opening of the business isn't until August, classes are up and running with hand-building classes commencing tomorrow, Thursday June 5, and wheel classes scheduled to start next week.
Dimboola Pottery will be offering a mix of classes, for novices to experienced potters, including a two-hour introductory experience which is ideal for tourists visiting the area and longer seven-week courses for people living nearby.
Mr Khut said when the facility is up and running regular studio access will be available for local artists to develop their practice.
Alongside classes and offering studio facilities, Mr Khut will also be making and selling his own handmade ceramic tableware that will be available for purchase at the Dimboola Pottery gallery and, website, and the WAMA Museum Gift Shop near Halls Gap.
Further down the track, Mr Khut plans to have his interactive and electronic art on display.
To book a class or to purchase a gift voucher, visit www.dimboolapottery.com.au
