Wyan McAllister

Wyan McAllister

'Originally from a small mountain village, I moved to Newcastle in the 1990s and found my creative home at Hunter St TAFE Newcastle Art School, where I completed a four-year Diploma of Ceramics.

Since graduating, I’ve worked full-time as a ceramic artist, continually refining my practice through experimentation and discovery. My current work, created under the name Clay Canoe with my partner Kyle, reflects this ongoing exploration of form, texture, and process.

In 2024 we began a new adventure, transforming an old fish and chip shop in Sling Town into a home and studio — a place to keep making, breaking, and learning through clay.

Through decades of firing triumphs and disasters alike, I’ve developed a deep respect for the unpredictable nature of ceramics and the lessons it offers. As a mentor, I aim to share that spirit of curiosity, resilience, and play and collaborate with others in this clay journey.'