~ POTTERS an COLUMBIA a President’s Message Once again, as 2013 nears its end, we are busy gearing up for 2014. ‘The big news moving into 2014 (and we on the board, feel very exciting news) is that starting in the New Year; we will have a part- time staff person dedicated to operations of the guild. I cant go into all the details yet as there are things yet to be finalized and worked out but the position will be 20 hours a week, dedicated to such things as membership issues and benefits, events planning and organizing, community building and outreach, along with general administrative tasks related to the running of the board. As we move toward our 60th anniversary, we feel that with the development of this position, the guild can move forward and grow as a professional organization that will endure for another 60 years. For all those folks who have been asking, our other news is that Brenda Beaudoin will be returning to work with us on a part-time G a | le ry N CWS _ By Laura Carey December at the Gallery December marks one of the rare months that the gallery does not host an exhibition. Instead, this month the gallery will put together a Staff Picks show, which provides us the opportunity to showcase some of the staff's top choices of pieces currently available. The August Staff Picks show was a huge success and I am looking forward to putting together the December edition. Etsy Shops callout Do you have an online ceramics shop on Etsy.com? If so, please send us your shop name. The Guild is building an online team of PGBC members Etsy shops, which will be linked to the website. This way customers can take a spin around your online shops when they are looking to buy online. Bios from all artists The gallery is pleased to announce that we are now providing customers with biographies of all artists we represent — formerly we had only provided bios for juried members. If you are a non-juried member who shows work in the gallery, please provide us with a bio and artist statement as soon as possible. The bios should be about 400 words long and provide some basic information about your personal history as an artist, as well as some brief details about your process and your concepts/what you are trying to convey in your work. Jan. & Feb. 2014 Exhibition - AWESTRUCK: Calendar by Julie Oakes In January 2014 the Gallery of BC Ceramics will open a very exciting show by Julie Oakes, an artist newly represented by the guild. Julie Oakes is an established multi-disciplinary artist who lived and worked in Toronto and New York and is now based in Vernon. Her installations can incorporate all her disciplines, from writing and painting to ceramic, glass and bronze sculpture. Oakes will bring her ceramic and glass sculpture to our gallery for a special extended show, opening on Thursday, Jan. 16, and running though to Feb. 28. In her paintings and sculpture, Oakes explores the themes of spirituality and cycles of life, death and rebirth through the use of anthropomorphized animals. basis beginning in February. At her request, she will be taking on one shift a week on the gallery floor (probably on the weekend). Again details to work out but we are so happy to have her back with us in any capacity a busy mom of two little ones can manage. We are in the planning stage for the next AGM which we hope to hold in Feb. 24, 2014, so please keep an eye out for further information regarding the when and where. Anyone who can attend please plan to do so, the guild can only benefit from the input of its members. Since this is the last newsletter for 2013, it is my sincere wish that all PGBC members and those you care about have a healthy, safe and happy holiday season. I look forward to serving you in the New Year as president of the PGBC. —Denise Jeffrey Sirens, by Julie Oakes, porcelain wall piece. During my time working at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery in Waterloo, Ont., I had the opportunity to assist Julie with installing her large scale installation SWOUNDS in 2010. A flock of blown and cast glass birds suspended from the ceiling of the gallery was the centerpiece of the show, with a bird tumbling down and smashing on the gallery floor in a controlled performance that occurred weekly. Oakes’ show broke records with the highest public attendance in the CCGG’s history. Since that time, Oakes has been developing a new series of works on the same themes, titled AWESTRUCK. These new works have been evolving and the show has been growing since 2011, where AWESTRUCK was first shown at the Lonsdale Gallery in Toronto. In 2012 a new incarnation of the show with the same title appeared at SMASH gallery of modern art in Vancouver. The whole process is part of a journey towards a massive solo show at the Clay and Glass Gallery in 2015, called AWESTRUCK: Calendar of Ecology. We will be hosting yet another evolution of the show, this time called AWESTRUCK: Calendar. ‘The pieces will include some of the glass birds from the SWOUNDS show, as well as new works created in 2013. Some of these new pieces include installations emulating an archaeological dig, wherein ceramic animal sculptures are emerging from silica sand and broken glass as though being excavated. Wall pieces featuring clusters of birds tenderly rendered in porcelain will also be featured. Oakes will be present in person and giving an engaging artist talk on during the celebration on opening night. We look forward to the opening night and hope to see you there! we Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - December/January 2013/14 3 Image courtesy of the artist.