(eo COLUMBIA BC in a Box: FingerPlay - Behind the Scenes! by Kathryn O'Regan, Chair, BC in a Box: FingerPlay Committee; Board of Directors PGBC ‘The success of this incredible project depends on the willingness of artists to take that big leap, leave the shelter of their studios and place their work on display for the scrutiny of the public. Thank you to each individual who took that initiative! Thank you to volunteers around the province! Before that leap can happen, however, essential work needs to take place behind the scenes—all handled by a team of volunteers and sponsors willing to do whatever is required to bring the project to the public stage. Volunteer Niki Berry undertook the task of intaking all entries and transferring the information to our database. The results of this task will provide us with information upon which we will base future exhibition planning. Good on you Niki! ‘The planning of a travelling exhibition continues to be a unique learning experience for the BC in a Box Committee, and each exhibition brings with it unique challenges. ‘This year, inclusion ofa digital image with your applications enabled us to easily “drop” the images into our catalogue design. ‘This expedites the printing of the catalogue, and saves innumerable hours of volunteer time. Volunteers Heather Berry and Nicole Charles have completed the catalogue design. The printing of the catalogue now awaits the results of the March 26 jurying. ‘Thank you to the following guild members who stepped forward to volunteer to act on behalf of the PGBC and its members, during the coming year: Gillian McMillan - Port Moody (Blackberry Gallery) Pat Wahlstrom — Quesnel Alice Hale — Invermere Rosemarie Greedy — Kelowna Jeanne Hungar - Kamloops Lianna Carlson — Prince George Heather Hannaford — Fort St. John Al Riederer — Dawson Creek Obtaining Sponsorship In addition to organizing the volunteers, our biggest challenge was to obtain sponsorship. Without these in- kind donations we would not have been able to facilitate such a project. My earliest inquiries were met with positive responses from Greenbarn Potters Supply Ltd. and the Mad Potter through their cash donations. ‘This was followed by: ¢ Home Depot and General Paints donating the plywood and paint for our shipping/plinth boxes. Allworld Packaging’s donation of packing materials and shipping containers Potters Guild of BC Newsletter - March 2008 ¢ My studio building manager Morley Farber and his assistant Gene Bouget who helped build the 50 boxes. Painting crew: Zhana Zedelcheva, Tilley Thomas, Hsiao Chen Peng, and Jinny Whitehead. ¢ Copythis publishers who printed and donated our brochures ¢ Opus Art Supplies and The Granville Island Hotel for their gift coupons. To date we have received cash donations directed to the publishing of our exhibition catalogue from The City of Kamloops, Iwo Rivers Art Gallery, and the Dawson Creek Art Gallery. Thank you so much and congratulations to all of those who came forward to submit their work, volunteer their skills, or donate materials and funds. Interest from cities in all regions was immediate. Unfortunately we had to disappoint some requests for the exhibition because we ran out of the time and funding needed to take it further abroad. Plans are already underway for the next BC in a Box Exhibition, to hit the road in 2010! For more info: http://www.bcpotters.com/bcbox/ bcinabox_index_alternate_2.htm See Page 11, “Introducing the 2008 Jury Team” @ 2008 FingerPlay Schedule The entry fees from artists pay for the shipping of the exhibition's 50 pieces from Vancouver throughout the province and back. Here is the schedule: February 1 Entries Due March 1 Intake of Work to the PGBC - Gallery Office March 26 _—_ Jurying takes place at the Blackberry Gallery, Port Moody March 27 — Exhibition Opening Reception at the Blackberry Gallery, Port Moody June 6 Quesnel Arts & Recreation Centre July 22 Invermere Pynelogs Cultural Centre August8 — Kelowna Rotary Arts Centre Clayfest September 5 Kamloops Heritage Courthouse October 3 Prince George Two Rivers Art Gallery November 7 Fort St. John North East News Offices December Xmas Season in storage at Dawson Creek January 12 Dawson Creek Art Gallery February _ Gallery of BC Ceramics