D

POTTERS

June 2008 Gallery Exhibition

Laura McKibbon and Jasna Sokolovic
Se Souvenir / Creating Memories

June 7 to July 1st

Opening reception Sat. June 7, 1-3 p.m.

Through the
creation of hand-
crafted objects in-
spited by tradition-
al souvenirs, this
show aims to ex-
plore cultural iden-
tity reflected in
and the creation
of memory. Sou-
venirs are typically
mass-produced ob-
jects manufactured
outside the coun-
try in which they
represent, having
little or no real
connection to the
very place which
they are meant to
represent.

‘The exhibition will include atypical “souvenirs” and will not only literally
reflect the city in which they were created, both graphically and conceptually,
but will also explore the relative experiences of the artists, and their place in
the city in which they live.

Laura McKibbon and Jasna Sokolovic are both established ceramic artists,
who have made significant contributions to their craft in a very short time.

All ceramics in the exhibition are for sale. Price range: $35 to $600.

City Tile, by Jasna Sokolovic

Blossom’s Sushi, by Laura McKibbon

Gallery
News

On April 18, we held our
annual retail jury at the gallery.
‘The jury was comprised of six
jurors: a Potters Guild of BC board
member, a gallery committee
member, a top selling gallery artist,
a gallery patron, a gallery assistant
and myself. The jury process has
multiple stages and criteria which
always include a written and
verbal assessment of each artist’s
work. ‘The discussion portion of
the jury can be straightforward
and unanimous but they can
also lead to passionate debates.
Before making the final decision,
I always review all responses
and assessments from jurors. |
really appreciate and | am always
intrigued by strong reactions,
especially when there is a love or
hate polar opposition amongst
jurors regarding the work.
Indifference is never good. We are
pleased to announce the PGBC
members who have been accepted
into the gallery as retail potters
this year are: Jackie Frioud, John
Reeve, Kathryn O’Regan and
Melissa Searcy.

Our June exhibition Se Souvenir/
Creating Memories by Laura
McKibbon and Jasna Sokolovic
came about as a grant proposal |
had written in collaboration with
Laura and Jasna for some of the
much publicised VANOC cultural
funding. No grant was allocated
but the show must go on, as
they say. The exhibition premise
of flipping the idea of what a
souvenir is or where it comes
from is a thought-provoking
viewpoint. In combination with
Laura and Jasna’ craftsmanship
and recognizable aesthetic, this
exhibition is a must see.

— Brenda Beaudoin

ot BRITISH
COLUMBIA

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - June 2008

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