Ian and Susie McIntosh are the current custodians of Denbigh (c.1812), in Cobbitty, a semi-rural town near the town of Camden, southwest of Sydney. They are hosting an Open Garden and Studios weekend on 10 and 11 October. All proceeds will go to the registered charity, FOSTER A POTTER.
Denbigh is a rare historical remnant of the 19th-century Cowpastures. The property is one of the oldest English-stye colonial farm complexes in Australia. The bungalow was built in 1817 by Charles Hook with wattle and daub walls and weatherboard cladding. The cottage garden is planted with old roses, lavenders, salvias and iris and in spring the wisteria creeps its way along the verandah.
Visitors on the open garden weekend are invited to wander through the colonial garden, take a walk in the paddock and enjoy a pottery exhibition featuring works by some of Australia’s most renowned Australian potters. Maryke Henderson, Malcolm Greenwood, Jann Kesby, Daniel Lafferty, Sandy Lockwood, Chester Nealie and Steve Williams will be demonstrating and talking about the process of wood-fired ceramics. By sharing their experiences, they hope aim to foster promising new talent.
The Macarthur Ceramics Group will also be offering creative hand-building exercises and throwing demonstrations. Local woodworkers James Haney and Johno Oliver will be demonstrating and selling woodwork, stone art and sculpture.
Resident artist, Esther Bolz, will be exhibiting her artwork. Bolz is a natural history illustrator. Her work ranges from book illustration to portraiture, watercolour designs and scientific illustrations.
Pierre and Jess Filliez (Shakeshake Theatre) will be presenting their latest puppet show on Sunday 11 October.
Also on Sunday, around lunchtime, farmer Todd Biffin will be showing how his trusty cattle dogs round up his cattle.
Devonshire tea and coffee and cake will be served in the hayshed cafe and a BBQ fired up at lunchtime.
Tickets are limited so best to book ahead to avoid disappointment. Go to: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1614940
$15 per person
$5 for children up to 15 years
Children under 5 free
Open 10am-4pm daily