JULIA GALLOWAY WORKSHOP
March 27 « 28,1999

Casponsored by the Potters Guild of BC,
Fraser Valley Potters Guild and the
Shadbolt Centre for the Arts

Julia began her presentation with a quick
introduction of her background, noting
that coming from a family of twelve she
had absolutely no fear of crowds. This was
readily apparent in her interaction with
workshop participants and her ability te
freely communicate ideas,while making
pots,

Julia first started working in clay in high
school, cutting classes to spend extra time
in Whe pottery area. Eventually she contin-
ved her education at Alfred University,
Massachusetts College of Art, Nova Scotia
College of Art and Design and the Univer-
sity of Colorado. She currently is in resi-
dence atthe Archie Bray Foundation in
Montana.

As Julia began throwing the first of two
haluster shaped jugs, using ber left hand in
the “claw” grip, she commented that her
past expertence as a waitress had provided
skills directly related to pottery including
efficiency of movement, memory of faces
and handling money. While throwing jugs,
topics ranged from her stay at Alfred Unt-
versity to her visit to Japan and tools she
uses. Easily throwing the jugs that were
then loosely ribbed, she plucked thern from
the wheelhead to a waiting board, com-
menting that she fires her work once a
month in a soda kiln to cone six. Julia
continued by throwing a cream and sugar,
two small ewers (to be joined later), a
sauce jug and plate, a salt and pepper set
and a couple of mugs. This was followed
by a selection of slides of her work as well
as shots of buildings or items that have
inspired her by their sense of design.

After lunch, Julia began to finish off the
morning's work by using a sponge inside
the jugs pushing out vertical gourd-like
grooves from top to hattorm, One of these
“push-outs” was teased together in the
upper section until it formed a fine nb
which she then cut off and smoothed.
reinforcing the inside with a small coil of
clay, giving the jug shape a nice swing.
Later the handle would be placed here
providing an unique negative space. Julia
stressed her interest in the play of negative
spaces and how they enhance form. Giv-
ing the jugs a squeeze jn the waist to oval
their shape, they were put aside temporar-
ily to stiffen. The sugar bow! mouth was
squared in her hands and a small slab of
clay was draped into the flange and the
excess cut away. A corresponding slab
was then placed on top after Julia had first
placed a paper wrapped ball of clay within

8

which when fired, would make the pillow
shaped lida functional rattle. A small hole
would be picreed in the center of the lid
and a small knob made from a rolled slab
of clay glued in place post-firing,

The sauceboot pug was given similar gourd-
like push-outs and the lip gently tweaked
to compliment the outward shape. The
saucebout’s plate was also quickly ma-
nipulated to reflect the sauceboat. The
mugs were cach given one vertical “push-
out” that was squeezed together and then
cut off for future handles applecation.

Commenting on pieces that attract her,
Julia commented “The most important
things are simple and complicated at the
same time; [can just look at them and then
dive in.”

After quickly cutting and softening the
edges, rubbing them between a folded
piece of newspaper, of the slab cut jug
spouts, they were gently formed utilizing
the work table edge and then loosely ap-
plied to the jugs. Prepulled handles were
placed on jugs and mugs, the mini ewers
were cut and rejoined as one unit (2 com-
partments/ 2 spouts) with a corresponding
single hid to unify the form, and the double

compartment single unit salt and pepper
container were pul together.

On the second day, Julia decorated the
green pots with brushed slip. Mishima
(clay inlay) and incising. A second slide
presentation introduced us to the Archie
Bray Foundation complete with historical
and contemporary shots as well as the
work currently being done by recent resi-
dents. Bisque fired pots were decorated
with glazes and an underglaze pen. Julia
stressed safety in the work place in regards
to handling and firing materials of a toxic
nature, including lusters, manganese and
banum. While continually answering ques-
tions or offering up information and anec-
dotes, Julia finished off the day with a slab
built pierced tray for the set of jugs made
earlier,

Incluctedt within the 30+ glaze recipes Julia
handed out was this inclusion for a:

Cont 6 Porcelain Clay

Kona F4 10—s Tile 6 20
Nepi.Sye 10 Ball Clay LO
EPK 30 =~ Flint 20

A special word of thanks to both Sharon
Reay and Linda Doherty who ensured all
ran smoothly on site atthe Shadbolt Centre
during this presentation. Also thank you ta
both Cathi Jefferson and Fredi Rahn for
their participation in organizing thisevent.
A final thanks to Julia for a lively and
informative workshop.

Darrel Hancock

Hancock-Moore Pottery

JEANNIE QUINN

Slide Lecture and Workshop
Thursday May 20 at 20:00
Saturday May 22 (020)-16-00
Kwantlen College, Surrey

Jeannie Qhinn, wie teaches at the univer-
sity in Boulder, Colorado, gives a slide
presentation on Thursday night and adem-
onsimation workshop on Saturday. She dis-
cusses und shows her unique and very
useful technique in working with clay. In
the workshop
session, she
demonstrates
how tousecails
smaller than the
width of the Lit-
tle finger, to
create cups, tea~
pols, trays. She
explains by ex-
ample how to
develop an idea,
make paper cut
outs and tem-
plates toa keep
the concept on track dunng the making
process and how to proceed to bring the
idea to completion. Slides and workshops
at Kwantlen College, Ceramics Depart-
ment (back lefi, southeast corner), 12666
72 Ave, Surrey. Registration and informa-
tion: Fraser Valley Potters Guild: 604-
929-9175,

MEDALTA INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER PROGRAM ‘99
Medicine Hat, Alberta

Join Robert Harrison May 31-June 12,
Alan Lacovetsky June 14-27 and Shirley
Rumer June 14-July 3. Provides unique
interaction between artists and the sen-
ously committed ceramists. Contact: Dan
Taylor, tel: 403-527-1002.

METCHOSIN INTERNATIONAL
SUMMER SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

July 5-16 Glaze &Colour Robin Hopper
July 5-16 Throwing Don Sprague

July 5-9 Tiles Patrick Crabb

July 5-9 Ceramic Surface Design Randy
Brodnax

July 10-12 Raku: Common Nails/Un-
common Objects Bill Ray Mangharm
July 10-12 Painterly Terra Cotta Pots
Jan Edwards

July 12-16 Firing Techniques Randy
Broinax

Metchosin International Summer Schoo!
of the Arts, Lester B Pearson College of
the Pacific; 690 Pearson College Drive,

Victoria BC Contact; Meira Mathison 250-
391-2470 or 1-800-667-3123