COLUMBIA

Why become a member of the Potters Guild of BC?

By Julia Gillmor

I joined the guild when I was a student at Kootenay School of
the Arts in Nelson. I had been encouraged to join by one of my
instructors, also a member of the guild. The year after I graduated,
I spent nearly every waking moment in my own studio with the sole
purpose of creating a production line of contemporary functional
ceramics. I was smitten with clay and my intention was to become a
professional potter. Despite the ups and downs of failed attempts and
firing disasters, ] managed to assemble what I felt was the beginning
of a related line of pots.

With that first step accomplished, I started to look around for
places to sell my work. I had no stores, no galleries and no professional
resume. I turned to the guild and the opportunity to jury into the
gallery as my first project. It seemed like a long shot but I thought
it would be a good exercise in getting out there. I photographed my

work as required, submitted an artist statement and profile, dropped

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Handy -on experience

kootenay school of the arts

Earn a 2-year diploma in clay, fibre, or
jewellery and small object design, ora
1-year certificate in the metal studio.

Call now for details on full or part-
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For further details call 1.877.552.2821
or visit selkirk.ca

a

Recent work by Julia Gillmor.

off my pots and waited. I was shocked and delighted to hear that I
had been juried into the gallery. This was the shot in the arm my
burgeoning career as an artist required.

Two things happened right away as a result of my work selling
in the gallery. The first was that I was actually receiving money for
the work I made. It wasn’t a living, but it was validation that the
endless hours spent designing and making in my windowless studio
basement with the mice were of some value. Secondly, being in the
gallery immediately started building my profile.My pots were getting
exposure. People were becoming familiar with who I was and what I
did. It also gave me the confidence to push forth and contact other
stores and galleries. Due to my efforts at the guild, I already had a
professional artist portfolio to send out to prospective clients. After
a lot of phone calls and knocking on doors and beating the streets, I
managed to slowly build the number of businesses who were willing
show and sell my work.

Almost 10 years later, the Gallery of BC Ceramics continues to be
one of the best sellers of my pots. Through the exposure I have receiv-
ed there, I have made professional contacts and sales well outside B.C.
I have attended workshops, made friends with other potters, partici-
pated in sales and shows and continued to build my profile all as a re-
sult of being part of the guild. As a potter starting out, it was more than
just a shot in the arm for me. It was like being fired out of a cannon.

I periodically teach workshops in Nelson and at KSA. And there
are two things I always encourage clay students to do outside of
their studio work. One is to photograph their work and assemble a
professional portfolio, the other is to join the guild and get in touch
with what is happening in clay outside their studio.

B.C. is made up of small communities and cities dotted all over
a rather large geographical area. When you spend most of your free
time alone, with your head down, slinging mud, it’s difficult to see
beyond the studio door. The guild isn’t just about sales, and you
don't have to be selling your work in the gallery to benefit from its
membership. It’s a link to other potters and knowledge and events
across the province, nationally and internationally. The guild produces
the newsletter, which in itself is worth the price of membership. It
is a place to find tools and equipment, pick up tips and tricks, and
learn about workshops and incredible exhibitions. As well, it provides
a forum where potters can share their stories and experiences. And,
thankfully, the guild is staffed by a tireless band of volunteer potters
and clay enthusiasts who recognize the benefits it provides for all of us.
Without these people, there would be no guild at all.

Julia Gillmor lives and works in Nelson, B.C. For more information on
her pottery and her studio see: www.juliagillmorpottery.com/

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - September 2008