Les Manning Workshop, February 23 - 24 at Evergreen Cultural Centre, Coquitlam

in conjunction with Clay 2002 exhibition

Les Manning critiques works in Clay 2002
Phato: Gloria Barkley

Ags Les Manning had been selected as puror
for the FVPG Clay 2002 show at the
Evergreen Cultural Centre, the organisers
were also able to arrange for Les to offer a
two day workshop on Form and Function,
Thirty-two potters, from beginners to pro
fessionals, tummed up to leam about the
importance of ergonomics, watch some
throwing techniques, ind see some slides
and videos of Les’ work. Participants
brought some of their own pots for a dis-
cussion on form and function, and to get
some tips on making, adapiing orscroung-
ing items that can be used as pottery tools.

Les offers a unique perspective to the
importance of ergonomics, of potters tak-
ing into account their individual physiol-
ogy in learning how to throw more effec-
uvely, A teacher for over thirty years, Les
realised early on that individual body pro-
portions - hand size and shape, relative
differences in torso and leg length, lengths
of upper and bower arms - as well as height
of wheelhead relative to throwing position
can influence throwing proficiency, Using
photocopies of previous students’ left
hands, he began by explaining about work-
ing surfaces — how differences in hand
sizes amd shapes influence the ability to
throw different sizes and shapes, He also
demonstrated how potters can adjust chair
and wheelhead heights and angle the sur-

April 2002

face of their seats for maximum
throwing power and efficiency.
He gave anecdotes about how
s0me potters, with serious back
problems from throwing, had
learned to realign their chair po-
sitions and wheelhead heights to
throw in comfort, and to produce
better and bigger pots more
quickly, Some participants re-
tumed on day two rejoicing about
discoveries that they had been
sitting much too high, or low, or

faraway fromthe wheelhead and Clay 2002 exhibition

that the newly discovered throw
ing position felt more comfort-
able and natural.

At the wheel, Les demonstrated
how to create the impression of
volume with lidded vessels,
throwing lids thatcan “flow” into
the shapes of the pots, and “wirext™
some of his thrown shapes to
explain the architectural relation-
ships between lids and rim pro-
files. We all got handouts. He
also shared techniques for mak-
ing spouts as well as thrown and
trimmed (rather than pulled) han-
dles, and incorporating these items into
the shapes of vessels.

For day two, participants were invited to
bring a pot for critique, as acontinuation of
the first day's discussion of form and func-
tion. Les encouraged all of ws to study our
work in order to “find our own forms”; to
keep working on the shapes that “haunt
us”, and to make len or twelve or
fifty until we are able to define
our own unigue style. Some of us
Jump crounel, trying on ideas from
different workshops, and making
different kinds of shapes.

Allin all, the workshop was very
informative, and Les’ amicable
style made it extremely enjoy-
able. A number of us agreed that
we would be happy to take an-
other workshop from him.

Joan Oxendale Barnet

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter

From the workshop straight bo the opening. FWRG
members, | ter: Judy Burke, Cath Jefferson, Gillian
McMillan and June MacDonald

Les Manning is currently
Artistic Director af the
Medaita International Art-
ist in Residence Program at
Medicine Hat Alberta, ana
con be reached at
403,520. JO70.

Keith amd Celia Rice-Jones, Les Manning and Carhi
lefferson