NORTH-WEST CERAMICS FOUNDATION

Seven applications were received for the
Jumpstart Scholarship and two for the
Potters Guild of BC Education and
Scholarship, Announcement ofthe awards
will be maxée at the Guild's Annual Gen-
eral Meeting on April 30. Laurie Rolland
received a Maureen Weight Scholarship
to help defray the costs of attending the
NUCLEC.A. conference in Columbus, Ohio,
She also received a purchase award from
the Geil Kiln Company for her piece titled
Ceramic Bargue, which was included in
an exhibition sponsored by the Ceramic
Monthly and running concurrently with
the conference, Congratulations Laurie!

The Foundation is considering a partner-
ship wath the Adult Learning Develop-
ment Association (ALDA), a non-profit
charitable organization supporting adults
with learning disabilities. The two organi-
zations met Apnil 25 to discuss collabora-
tonon the next fundraiser From the Oven
and Kiln.

Meanwhile a number of groups have al-
ready volunteered to participate in plate
making workshops for the upcoming event

SALES

With one week remaining in April, Gal-
lery sales are at 75% of the target, which is
within | % of last year’s total for the month.
If the target is achieved, the total to dare
will be approximately 2%, or $725 less
than last year at the same time.

SEMI-ANNUAL
NON-JURIED
MEMBERS EXHIBITIONS

During the month of April, the Gallery
held the Tea Party, the first of two semi-
annual non-juried exhibitions for the year,
Tt has not been as successful as intended
because very few members contributed
works. Consequently | encourage you to
discuss with the Board and me what might
be the best direction for the future.

Originally these exhibitions were intended
to give Gallery exposure to all members. It
was also to help counteract a historical
belief that the Gallery is exclusive rather
than inclusive. As a result the Gallery
developed a policy to commit two months
per year (spring and fall/winter) to host a

2

From the Oven and Kiln. They are the
Richmond Potters Club, the Delta Pot-
ters’s Association, the Eagle Harbour Com-
munity Centre and Capilano College, Par-
ticipants in these free workshops are asked
to come with at least four bisque-fired
plates that they will glaze and decorate
with provided maternal and using tech-
niques demonstrated by a visiting imstruc-
tor, In exchange, three of the fired plates
are donated to the Foundation. The plates
are used for presenting the dessert at the
end of the gourmet dinner cooked by gold
medal chefs at the Delta Pacific Hotel.
Ticket holders are entitled to take the plates
home. This is a wonderful way to promote
Ceramics, Organize instructive workshops
and raise funds for scholarships and other
educational initiatives, We are still look-
ing for other volunteer groups to partici-
pate. Call me for more information, 604-
921-6705,

Stay tuned for further details in the next
newsletter.

Tam Irving

President

GALLERY NEWS

non-juried exhibit based on a theme and
open to all members of the Guild, Yet for
the past few years, the exhibits have been
utilized by only a handful of members, We
do thank those members for their interest
and supper.

This situation is important to discuss be-
cause itrelates tothe Gallery's bottom line
that in turn directly affects the entire or-
ganization. If these exhibits are not attract-
ing participation from more than a handful
of members and if they are not adding to
the Guild's fiscal health, perhaps the Gal-
lery should do something else. Should it
host an exhibit once a year sirnilar to the
juried exhibits at other venues such as last
year’s Clay ‘94 at the Vancouver Commu-
nity Arts Council and ‘96's Offthe Wall at
the Canadian Craft Museum? What are
your ideas? We would definitely like to
hear from you. As you think about this, it
is important to remember the Gallery's
mandate. It is to promete excellence in
ceramics both to educate the general pub-
lic and to encourage potters to excel. The
intent is to Support potters and help therm
avoid the vicious cycle of producing pots

Coming Undone
new work by

TESSA WINDT
May 8 - June 3, 1999

meet the arrist ar the opening
Saturday, May &
15:00-17;00

Gallery of BC Ceramics
1359 Cartwright Street
Granville Island
open daily 10:30-17:30

that are merely saleable, Please call me at
the Guild office or contact one of the
Directors with your ideas.

Let's make 2000 a good year to institute

changes to the Gallery policy. With the
renovations completed, the new exhibit
space will be a wonderful, high-end gal-
lery space to showcase our members.

EXHIBITIONS

The Tea Party exhibition concludes May
5, followed by new work by Tessa Wind
titled Coming Undone, Tessa’s work ts
the result of her studies at Emily Carr
Institute of Art and Design, made possible
when she won the Jumpstart Scholarship
last year. Please see her article on the next
page. The opening reception for Tessa is
on Saturday, May 8th from 15:00+17:00
(3-5 p.m.). Coming Undone finishes June
3 and is followed with works by Gordon
Hutchens, opening on Saturday, June §.

Please see GALLERY NEWS page 4

May 1999