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Vancouver Gas Kiln
Co-op Project
By Morley Faber

For many years, we have been discussing the possibility of having a
ceramics gas kiln at the Mergatroid Building. It seems like the pieces
are finally falling into place. Gas prices are low, and I have approval
from the City for a space that will be a covered outdoor space at 1161
Parker Street (in the parking lot area of the Mergatroid Building).

Here is an update on this project:

What is the scope of the project?

I, as representative for Mergatroid, have City approved building
plans about 1000 s.f. that will be free standing studio, with concrete
floors and 16' ceilings, and a washroom. Next to this building will be
a covered area that is approved for a gas ceramics kiln.

Why start a gas kiln co-op?
We would only start a co-op if there was enough user interest. The
overall idea of the co-op would be as follows:

* Operated as a co-op. Every "member" would be an owner.

¢ The co-operative model would be set up to be non-profit.
Because no-one would “profit” from kiln operations, and
because the administration would be minimized, the cost of
operating the kiln should be a low.

What other co-ops do this kind of thing?
‘There are two co-ops in the Mergatroid Building:
* Terminal City Glass Co-op has been operating for about a year.
They are at 1191 Parker.
* Van East Woodworkers Co-operative (formerly Parker Street
Woodworkers Co-op) at #205 975 Vernon Drive.
¢ There is also an informal ceramics co-op at 965 Vernon Drive.

What equipment do we already have?
We already have a lot of bricks from three separate kilns that have
been dismantled. We also have a few kiln shelves and misc. parts.
We also have a well used kiln that was operational last year, but, after
much discussion, it seems this will likely be a parts kiln.

What do we need from you?
We are looking for people who are interested in being part of this
project in any of the following ways:

1. Future users
2. Being part of the advisory team.

3. Helping to Build the kiln and set up the co-op.

If you are interested in helping, please get back to me. We will set up
a meeting soon to develop our strategic plan. Please get back to me of
you are interested in being involved in any way.

Morley Faber

mfaber1 @gmail.com | www.mergatroid.ca

604-724-4999

Long List Announced
for the
2013 Sobey Art Award

B.C.-based. ceramic artist Brendan Lee Satish Tang has made
the long list of 25 artists for the 2013 Sobey Art Award, the pre-
eminent award for contemporary Canadian Art. The Art Gallery
of Nova Scotia and the Sobey Art Foundation announced the long
list on April 19.

Each year the Sobey Art Award is awarded to an artist age 40
and under who has exhibited in a public or commercial art gallery
within 18 months of being nominated.

Sarah Fillmore Chief Curator, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and
Curator, Sobey Art Award says that, “The list of artists proposed
for this year’s Award points to the vibrancy of practice in the
country. We celebrate each of the nominated artists’ achievements.
Just as the artists nominated for this Award are aged 40 years and
under, so are the curators who sit on this year’s panel. It is hoped
that this will continue to feed the next generation of curators in
the country and energise the discourse of contemporary art.”

‘The members of the 2013 Curatorial Panel are:

. Mireille Eagan, Curator of Canadian Art, The Rooms
Provincial Art Gallery;

. Marie Claude Landry, Curator of Contemporary Art,
Musée de Joliette;

. Melissa Bennett, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art
Gallery of Hamilton;

* Jesse McKee, Curator, Walter Phillips Gallery, The Banff
Centre;

* Charo Neville, Curator, Kamloops Art Gallery.

The 2013 shortlist of the Sobey Art Award will be announced
in late June. Work by the shortlisted artists will be shown in an
exhibition at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in Halifax opening
on September 13, and the 2013 winner's announcement will
take place at a Gala event at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia on
October 9.

For more detailed biographical information on the 25 long-
listed artists and members of the Curatorial Panel please go to:
www.sobeyartaward.ca

GUILD ee
of BRITISH

COLUMBIA
a

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - May 2043

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