The Corner Chair...

“Joy to the World", this gift to the world
and the symbolic exchange of precious things
by the wise men: The Christian celebration
has such resonance that it has become,
practising Christian or not, a time to celebrate
family, friends and community with a symbol
of giving.

Potters, however driven they are by some
inner voice that compels them ever onward
towards the Holy Grail of the perfect pot, are
nonetheless also stuck with the necessity to
pay the rent, There are few of us that do not
see the “Season to be jolly” as a commercial
opportunity. There were a number of studio
sales advertised in last months Newsletter
and more this month, As | write this we are in
the middle of the Circle Craft Christmas Craft
Fair and madly trying to complete a few
special things for the Gallery's Christmas
show.

As we struggle with awkward customers,
people who want to haggle for a deal, field
questions and in moments of boredom try to
figure out just how much an hour it's worth, !
am reminded of Geoff Searles comment
about his frustrations of craft fairs. It makes
me appreciate what the gallery staff do, all
over again.

When | reflect on Circle Craft, | realize that it's
much more than setting up your stall and
selling your stuff. There is great pleasure in
seeing old friands, making and renewing
contacts, commiserating over the long hours
and hard work and generally enjoying a sense
of comradery in a shared endeavour. |
Suppose that's what the Guild is really, a
shared endeavour and like Circle Craft the
benefits can’t always be measured
objectively Also, like Circle Craft, your
expenence of it is much richer when you have
some involvement.

There was an excellent response to Karen's
efforts with the Newsletter last month (the
number of hours she volunteered to solicit,
¢ajole, and arm bend for material and then
struggle to become familiar with a new
computer programs would make us all sit up

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and think). Timelines were too short for the
Newsletter committee to make serious
decisions about a format for this issue, we
hope that we'll have it all together for
January. If anyone has expertise they can
offer, please contact Karen or Jane at the
office. In addition, we have made a fot of
noise with Xerox, who promise that not only
will it be better quality for this issue (you
judge), but will replace what we have with a
more suitable machine for our needs { 4
Cadillac at Chevy prices, because of the
educational nature of our Guild).

At the Gallery this month is the December
feature "Everything but the Pudding’, which
hints at éxcess, but prizes the special and
precious, It's likely to be a very busy time in
the Gallery and if you don't have expertise to
offer with the Newsletter, try to volunteer a
litte time at the Gallery. | know we're all
very Busy, but every littie bit helps. Karen
Can always use a hand too at printing and
mailing the Newsletters.

In closing, ll come back to that idea of the
comradery that comes with shared
involvement. Being on the board is
generally not always the easiest volunteer
job in the world, but there's great satisfaction
in getting invelved and “doing your bit” for an
organization you feel is important. | certainly
value the frendships I've made and after the
business meeting an December 14th, I'm
looking forward to the pot-luck board party.
Yes, even your executive takes time for fun!

Hope you all have a wonderful and joyous
holiday season and like me are looking
forward to 1996 being a year of stability,
consolidation and increased involvement for
our guild.

Keith Rice-Jones