Weird and Wonderful Teapot Exhibition

Weird and Wonderful Teapot Exhibition co-ordinator Kylie Richards with some wacky teapots. Picture by Stuart Scott

Tourists to pour into Morpeth at tea time
MICHELLE MEEHAN
Thursday, 18 August 2005
From the functional to the fantastic, the exhibition brings together almost 4000 novelty teapots from across Australia and around the world.
It opens today at the Morpeth Gallery and runs from 10am to 5pm every day until August 28, with free entry.
Exhibition co-ordinator Kylie Richards said the idea began 14 years ago as a way of boosting tourism in the historic village.

"The first year it was held we had a grand total of 52 teapots scattered throughout Campbell's Store," she said.

"From there it just grew and grew and now we search right through the year to find teapots."
But it's more than just a simple exhibition, with all the teapots on display for sale.
Ms Richards said collectors from around Australia would fly in for the annual event.
And with everything from teapots shaped like endangered animals, garden gnomes, Disney characters, typewriters and trains, to Miss Universe winners and a wheelbarrow full of vegetables, they're sure to find the perfect addition for their collections.
Teapots range from $5 bargains to $600 one-of-a-kind masterpieces and are sourced from Australia, the UK, America, China, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia.
Giant cups and saucers and a collection of novelty tea cosies will feature for the first time, while teapot artists will compete for the Golden Teapot award for the best themed design.
Tea-tasting will also be on offer at Tea Lovers and Coffee for Others in Swan Street.
Original article