Amid a city in upheaval caused by the
Okanagan Mountain Fire, and working
around volunteers and participants who
had been evacuated, the Okanagan Potters
Association managed to produce another
world-class clay festival at Okanagan
University College, August 22-246. Work-
shop presenters came from Canada, Brit-
ain and the United States. Participants
came from as far away as Ontario, New
York, Florida and California.

es

his drum pis.

Back by populardemand, Randy Brodnax
of Dallas, Texas, entertained the crowed as
he gave his informative demonstration.
Randy is making his pots bottomless this
year, tuning them into drums by applying
afish skin tothe bottom, He also explained
the mechanics of his down draft wood
burning kiln design and built a small kiln
a the workshop. Don Ellis, a master raku
artist from Cloudcraoft, New Mexico shared

ClayLines
Kelowna Clay Festival 2003

his throwing technique and wowed us all
with his aleohel firing method. Don and
Randy shared a studio. Long-time friends,
they put on a great workshop enjoyed by
everyone who came in. Cathi Jefferson,
who has her studio in Deep Cove, North
Vancouver, focused on handbuilding, al-
tered thrown forms, and glazing. Her soft
natural colours are impressive. Les Man-
ning brought 30 years potting experience
to the festival, Winning notice in Canada
and the USA, his stoneware and porcelain
mix vessels reflect his years spent in the
Rockies and remind one of the Columbia
leefields, Les is currently Artistic Director
of Medalta, a national historic site for
ceramic history in Medicine Hat. Alberta.
His presentation focused on basic throw:
ing technique and layering stoneware and
porcelain in thrown vessels. British
ceramist, David Roberts, demonstrated
his method of handbuilding pois ane his
slip resist technique of raku firing. The
results are unique in design, resembling
the hedgerows and fields of England, Ar-
chitectural ceramics is the forte of Bill-
ings, Montana potter, Marcia Selsor.
Marcia demonstrated her skill and ex-
plained the mechanics of handbuilding
lire architectural pieces while producing
a bird bath during her presentation.

The public was invited free of charge to
our open house on Sunday, Many evacu-
ees housed at OUC participated. We hope:
that we were able to give them at least one
positive memory from what must have
been a weekend of despair for many of

Th ts

tulelage of North Vancwaver’s
Cathi Jefferson at Sunday's Open House,

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter

Marcia Selsor pets ber Avneds-en group
started on building a dior surround.

them. The sale of greenware pots thrown
by demonstrators at this event raised over
$400 for the Kelowna Fire Fighters Fund.

The Sunday Open House was followed! by
two days of hands-on workshops given by
David Roberts and Marcia Selsor. The
participants studying with David Roberts
learned the art of making fine coil built
pots and enjoyed experimenting with his
riku glazing technique on bisqued pots
they had brought to the class, It was a busy
and productive session, You could feel the
energy crackling when you walked into
the room where Maria Selser had argan-
ized a group project. The class thoroughly
enjoyed learning and practising
handbuilding skills on their door surround.
Students appreciated Marcia’s relaxed
teaching style and the interaction between
members of the group.

Ardene Lind with Lynda Jones

Kelowna Clay Festival Committee
wed like to thank all the members
whe pave se generously of their
finte and equipment, to help make
the Festival successful, Thank you
alse to Greenbarn for their contin-
wed support by donating all rhe
clay. This was a very generous gift
thar was much appreciated,

Photos and summary onthe website
htip.aoww. members. shaw .cal
okpanews/clayfest.homl

Chetober 203