RITISH
COLUMBIA
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awaken each morning to spectacular sunrise
views from our balconies which overlook
the remarkably green island, red tile roofs of
Skopelos town and harbour. After a delicious
breakfast provided by the Centre, we meet
in the ceramics studio, a spacious open air
facility. On most days, we spend five hours
of structured studio time, but I always offer
students the option of working as the muse
strikes them, 24/7. Using Greek clay and
glazes, the students create clay sculptures
inspired by the vibrant living culture of
Greece that surrounds them and the history
they have just viewed in museums, galleries
and archaeological sites.

Time slows down... demonstrate and share
my personal combinations of hand building
techniques and my artists are inspired and
empowered to create figurative, animalistic
mythical masks, figures and busts. Work dries
quickly under the Skopelos sun and then the
clay creations are bisqued in two alternately-
firing electric kilns. Surfaces are decorated
with colourful glazes, acrylics and/or patinas.

In the afternoon and evenings, the town

of Skopelos begs to be explored, with its

winding streets and plentiful, affordable

shops featuring local artisans and. delicious
restaurants. Walking down the hill, we are
surrounded by whitewashed houses and
balconies draped in brilliant bougainvillea
and vines. We visit the many churches and
beaches, the lovely folk art museum, and hire
small boats to take us to neighbouring islands.
My students and I are always delighted to visit
the island potters, particularly the celebrated
Nikos Rodios, third generation Skopelos

From the PGBC member web pages

potter, who creates classical Greek-style
blacken and earthenware vessels using island
clay and reviving ancient firing methods. In
fact, the minimalist black of Nikos’ vessels, in
contrast to my own brilliantly-coloured and
textured ceramic work, sparked him to issue
a challenge to me to collaborate with him,
to combine my colourful palette with his
classical form.

The end to each workshop on Skopelos
comes only too soon, but we always celebrate
our creative journey with a grand exhibit and
closing party hosted by Jill and Gloria of
SkopArt. The event is well-attended by the
local Greek and expatriate community, who
are quick to express their appreciation of the
quality and variety of the students’ work as
well as our contribution to their delightful
community.

Suzy will be offering “Mia Muse” workshop
Sept. 7 to 21, Optional Art/Travel Prelude
to SantorinilAthens Sept. 1 to 6. She invites
you to join her and looks forward to hearing
from you, For more information about the
workshop and about Suzys work, contact her at:
604.737.2636;

www.suzybirstein.com;
suzy@suzybirstein.com.

This newsletter series features your fellow guild members. Artist profiles and photos are taken directly

from the guild members web page which can be viewed here: http://www.bcpotters.com/Guild/

memberwebpages.php

Get to know your fellow guild members and make sure that you have your own profile listed on the

website—contact Becky to update or add your profile, becky.c.mceachern@gmail.com.
This month’s web page profile is from Sharon Grove of Sooke:

“When a skill is something we learn through
play as a child we are not aware it’s a skill, it’s
just an intuitive part of us.”

After working successfully as a studio potter
for eight years in Tsawwassen I really wanted
to go to school and get as much exposure to
ceramics and art in as short a period of time as
was humanly possible.

So, my exhilarating adventure began with
a two-year stop at Sheridan College of Art
and Design in Oakville, Ont. and then off
to Alberta College of Art and Design for two
years in Calgary, Alta. to complete my BFA
degree majoring in Ceramics with as many
hot glass classes as I could manage to get
thrown into the mix.

I am now living in Sooke, and have been
setting up my studio, building a gas kiln and
re-establishing old ties.

My work has been showcased in local and
international juried shows and is part of
the permanent collection at the Jingdezhen
Ceramic Institute in China.

On May 17, I have a sculptural exhibition
opening at the CCBC Gallery, spO/LED, and
from there, for the month of August, it will
progress on a larger scale to the Metchosin
Art Gallery in a show involving two painters
and myself titled, ECLECTICA:expressionist
perspectives.

TOP: franquili tea. Tray is custom made stoneware, heavily grogged with organic materials
with porcelain handles, soda fired Cone 9 celadon handles. Cups are porcelain, celadon
glaze reduction fired Cone 9. BOTTOM: Basket Bowl, Cone 6 stoneware, electric fired.

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - April 2013

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