Peterkin, Les

 

Les Peterkin (1934-)

Les Peterkin grew up on the New South Wales mid-north coast. He trained as a Physical Education teacher in Sydney, and spent his early career teaching both overseas and at Mosman High School in Sydney. In 1970, Les and his partner Bill set up Studio 52A, and later the short-lived Sydney Festival Ballet Company. After fire destroyed Studio 52A in 1980, Les and Bill moved to Tyalgum in Northern NSW, where Les reestablished his pottery studio and Bill established a theatre group. In this wide-ranging interview, Les recalls his life and career from his involvement in Sydney's bar scene of the 1960s and 70s, to his artistic career as a potter, thespian and arts and crafts educator.

Photo: Supplied/Les Peterkin

 

Oral history recordings

 

Automated transcripts of our oral history interviews are available to researchers on request. For access, please contact us, stating the name of the interviewee, date of interview, and your purpose of use.

PPride History GroupLismore, Armidale, Coramba, Coffs Harbour High School, Sydney Teachers College, Mosman High School, Peter Emberger, Physical Education, Beats, Danish Folk High School, Carlton Rex, Mosman Musical Society, Geoffrey Stevens, PNG, Ullswater Outward Bound, Holrup Gymnastic High School, Little Brother Movement, Ben Crop, Silk Stockings, William Gill, Borovansky Ballet Company, Australian Ballet, London Festival Ballet, Mosman Evening College, Orpheum Theatre, Ken Kandy Johnson, Purple Onion, Darreal, Rose Jackson, Black Leslie, Karen Chant, Warren De Maria, Midnight Shift, Capriccios, Whittles Hardware, Tyalgum, Studio 52A, HIV/AIDS, Parents and Citizens Committee, Viva La Tyalgum, South Pathetic, Tropical Fruits, Old Sydney Town, Pottery, Old Government House, Museum of Sydney, Ceramic Collectors Society, Australia Council, Metropolitan Museum New York, Delft Ware, Byron Bay, The Shannon, Bangalow, Mullumbimby, Taipan, China, Les Peterkin Portrait Prize, Tweed Regional Art Gallery, Middle Harbour Yacht Club, Garry Wotherspoon, Obelisk Beach, Lindisfarne CofE Grammar School, Tasmania, Newcastle, COMAG, Birdie Beach