Here.With.Now Ausglass Conference 2025 Poatina Arts Tasmania

In February 2025 Poatina Arts hosted the national biennial Ausglass conference. This rural retreat was the destination for contemporary glass art professionals from Tasmania, Australia and beyond, all converging for a carefully curated program of presentations, demonstrations and networking.

Specialist glass workshops were held in the Poatina Glass Studio, bookending the conference, and making this period one of intense learning and creativity.

The theme of the conference Here.With.Now, aimed to examine the role that communities and places play in supporting and inspiring artists and how this impact often propels our glass-making practices and relationships locally, regionally, and globally.

Ausglass in developing the theme of the conference noted that "Together we will consider and celebrate the value, health and diversity of our glass communities, be they studio-based, temporary, residential, or educational. We will recognise our grounding in and connections to local daily practice, and reflect on instances where we found ourselves in novel environments, creating away from home or outside of routine."

Poatina, a small village in the foothills of the Great Western Tier Mountains of Tasmania, embodied this theme literally and metaphorically. A discrete location distanced from the distractions of urban and city life, it was a place to slow down, have time, focus without distraction and engage with the material, the processes and the people of this community.

Conference delegate comments:
"I was surprised that a location at that distance from a main state city would be so popular, and so well-attended and appreciated. ... I think Poatina was a very enjoyable location for the conference because of its excellent theatre, access to galleries, access to restaurants, cafes and shops, and good accommodation. ..[T]he very professional glass studio provided great opportunities for demonstrations, and for audience engagement." Grace

"I really enjoyed the intimacy of the conference and conference venue. Totally unique setting and an all round wonderful experience." Andrea

"I love the fact that it is located in a rural semi remote area and feel this adds attraction for residencies and workshop possibilities. ...The studio Keith has built is a first class facility. ...Hosting this years Ausglass conference has really put it on the map." Kirstie

"Connecting to Tasmanian Arts, galleries, regional opportunities for developing practice. Also for very contemplative experiences in a natural setting - very evocative." Billy

"I think it is an amazing space for people to learn and spend time developing new work in a quiet space away from everyday life." Eileen

"The glass studio at Poatina is a high level professional set-up equal to, and surpassing many other facilities I have visited. It is the very perfect place for residencies in glass art... including great making spaces, conference venues, exhibition venues, accommodation and meals all within walking distance and in relative isolation to other distractions made the experience fully engaging and wholesome to be part of." Di

"I wish the national and international glass community had had the opportunity to visit Poatina years ago so that we were able to fully appreciate what an amazing facility it is and been able to engage with it earlier! Keith Dougall is a highly respected member of the national and international glass community and it is through his affiliations and attendance at public glass events that we have been aware that there was a remarkable arts centre in the middle of [Tasmania]." Gabriella

"I kept thinking of Marfa in Texas and how it was this little town that was struggling post-war before the artist Donald Judd built his studio there and it transformed into an art hub. I wonder if it could totally transform into an 'art town' over the decades." Ned

"I think it was one of the best conference[s] I have been to, because everyone was always together." Jan