Gillian McMillan
will be wheelthrow-
ing with earthen-
ware clay to make
parts of some of her
jugbirds. She will
show how these are cut, squashed and
assembled to resemble beaks, bodies and
feet, with pulled handles for tails. In anoth-
er session she will paint these forms with
her recognizable bright slips and terra sig-
illata. Methods of applying slips will be
demonstrated using pre-cut, leather-hard
tiles, with 'hands-on’ if there's time. Finally
Gillian will show slides of a progression of
her work and influences: work from
stoneware, porcelain, salt, and electric to
her current passion, the jolly earthenware.

Gillian is a long-time member of both BC
Potters Guild and the Fraser Valley Potters
Guild. "I started making pots in Teacher
Training College before I left England in
1967. With some years away from potting
to teach, then to settle in Port Moody with
my archaeologist husband Alan, and have
sons Steve and Mike, I took it up again in

Background and Plans for Symposium

Arrowsmith 50/10 Masters Series

Gillian McMillan:

the early seventies. Classes at Douglas
College (now Kwantlen) with Fred Owen
got me re-inspired, and quickly I was teach-
ing children and then adults in Port Moody
and Coquitlam. In 1991 when planning to
take yet another inspiring workshop, this
time at Emily Carr College (having always
wanted to go to Art School) Sally Michener
asked me ‘why not?. There followed 3 mar-
vellous, exhausting, inspiring years, with a
scholarship for my final year, and a BFA.
After considering returning to painting and
printmaking I had found myself unable to
stay away from the Ceramics department.
The difference is that I found it is quite ok
to use bright colours and
even, to decorate! My silly
jugbirds have evolved in the
last 2 years from large-spout-
ed jugs which have always

been my favourite form.”

Gillian McMillan

Photos courtesy Gillian
McMillan

50th Anniversary Events to Remember - Plan Ahead!

There is so much happening next year, you need to be on top of all these things!

1. BC ina Box.

Exhibition of small works touring 8 venues around the Province and possibly beyond. Open to all members. Deadline

Jan.31st.
2. Paul Davis workshops.

Arrowsmith Feb 5-9, Thompson Valley Feb 26-27 and Shadbolt Feb12-13 with NWCF presentation, 7.00pm at
ECIAD on Feb 11th followed by reception at his exhibition at the Gallery of BC Ceramics.
3. BC-Tajimi juried exchange exhibition. See separate insert. Deadline March 15th.

4. Now Weare 50

The big exhibition at Burnaby Art Gallery in August.
a) Source books, a 2 page archival snapshot, free for all members. See Al Sather's more detailed information. Deadline
March 1st.
b) Juried contemporary section. See details in this issue. Deadline March 1st
5. 50/10 Masters Series and Celebration supper.
A fabulous day of demos by stellar BC potters and a subsidised celebration supper with speaker Paul Mathieu. March
28th in Parksville.
Note: a full calendar of specific 50th Anniversary events and other clay events will come out in the next newsletter. For now,
pay attention to these deadlines and get involved!
Keith Rice-Jones
50th Chair (604) 522 8803

January 2005 Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter 9