Kathryn O'Regan Awarded Maureen Wright Scholarship

As the recipient of the Maureen Wright
Scholarship, I chose to attend the
Metchosin Summer School of the Arts
(MISSA). This year marked its cighteenth
session. The School was founded by a
proupof artists whorecogmized the need to
provide instruction and professional de-
velopment that was being neglected hy
other art schools. It is on the campus of
Lester B Pearson College of the Pacific,
which is beautifully situated on the slopes
of Pedder Bay Inlet amidst arbartus and fir
trees. An idyllic bocation!

Frequently we ook to our neighbours in
the US for top quality art schools, MESS.A
is conveniently located and stimulates your
creativity through multi-media exposure.

AS artists, we are concerned about new
government policies regarding grants. |
spoke to Executive Director, Meira
Mathison about the future of the MISSA.
Meira indicates that their main concern is
the BC Government Gaming grant. They
can't depend on getting the grant. They do
receive a grant from BC Culture and have
since the School started. Without the Garn-
ing grant they will be in great difficulty.

If this sounds like an advertisement / trav-
elogue, well itis, Not only does Metchasin
provide exposure to a palette of disci-
plines, but also it offers great food, hiking,
gym and pool facilities. MISSA is a two-
week opportunity to further one’s interest
in a chosen field within a curriculum de-
signed to encourage cross media develop-
ment through lecturcs and demonstrations.
Involvement was completely up to the
individual but you could start your day at
B:30AM with a video on art and artists,
followed by your chosen class at 10:00AM.
Each evening featured a slide presentation
and discussion on the work of instructors.

I attended Lana Wilson's Jnnovative
Handbuilding Techniques session from
July 1 to 12. The School offered a very
diverse ceramics program with one to two
week sessions being taught by internation-
ally recognized clay artists such as: Robin
Hopper, Lana Wilson, Jan Edwards,
Jeff Oestreich, Randy Brodnax and
Katrina Chaytor. On the weekend Keith
Rice-Jones anc Loorle Rolland beldtwo-
day workshops.

6

Robin Hopper in cutdoor kiln area

It was an exciting time! We had Jeff
Oestreich conducting a wheel throwing
class in the studio below us. During the
second week, Randy Brodnax began vari-
ous firing techniques with his group, which
included high-fire reduction, low-fire salt,
furning of chlondes, Raku with traditional
and non-traditional methonds.

Unlike many artists who instruct, Lana
Wilson teaches! Lana is a teacher who
reaches everyone al his or her particular
level of experience and background. She
is open 1o all suggestions and encourages
sharing, breaking down the learning barri-
ers that may exist. As aresult we laughed,
shared stories, worked and laughed! Our
day consisted of Lana demonstrating all
moming. She would suggest the topic,
check with all of us about particular inter-
ests and then start demonstrating. Usually
that demo led to many others and before
long the morning wis over. The afternoon
and evening was ours to work on tech-
niques while Lana checked our progress.
She was always available for questions
and discussion. We frequently asked
Lana's opinion about other art programs
that are available to artists throughout the:
US and Canada.

] asked Lana if she would share her per-
sonal viewpoint of MISSA with the BC
Guild members: “MISSA is one of the best
of the lovely non-degree granting art
schools around the US and Canada. It has
arare cOMMmMuUnIty spirit partly because it 15
only three weeks a year and many people
return and thus know each other, Some
schools that arcexcellent, like Anrowmont,
are year round and thos when teachers or

Potters Guild of Boitish Columbia Newsletter

students retum they don't always have the
extra-added bonus of students and staff so
familiar with each other.

“Another reason it is so outstanding is
because it is the love child delight of a
small group of people who are committed
to choosing teachers with great care, I do
have concerns about MISSA’s possible
fragility. [ts financial status is dependent
somewhat upon @ grant, and these grants
are not guaranteed. What few people real-
ize is thal every student who goes to MISSA
is subsidized by other monies, [f the grant
disappears then MISSA could have prob-
lems,

“What | am trying to say in Various ways
is MISSA should be delightedly and fully
appreciated, It is special!”

r | -
Lans Wilson demonstrating
ww Janmaarieon con

Another studio that I would highly recom-
mend is the program offered by Jan
Edwards, Her weeklong class focused on
the embellishing of clay surfaces using
resists, inlays, carving, stamping, brush-
work, slips and sgraffito. Jan is an excel-
lent presenter and is an artist that I] would
also encourage all Guild members to hear
and watch her.

see O" Regan on page JO

October 2002