WHAT'S IN A NAME?

“Imagine a cheese shop"? The arguments | presented
canceming a “name change” in the April 1990 issue of
this newsletter was an attempt to suggest that our
name be areflection of what we are, living and working
in 1990. If I know one thing about pottery in North
America, which like it or not, includes British Colum-
bia. it is that the work of the ceramic artists has
matured and diversified, Since the mid-1950s, the
vitality and variety of personal approaches found in
ceramic art (including pottery) has placed it into a
leading role of visual expression. A cheese shop—of
course, eggs are fromm chickens, and that 'm not, But
do we wish, Mrs, Amon, to only allow “mild cheddar”
to grace our shelves? What about Camembert, Brie,
Edam, Swiss, Roquefort, or, God-forbid, Cultured
Buttermilk? Or is your taste the only taste?

if diversity of personal interest and expression is our
strength, and a willingness to honour our past and
our present is our charm, then Iet's be strong and
charming.

The statements presented by both Mr. Margesson and
Mrs. Amon suggest that each are suffering from vessel
insecurity, Their old, tired its of “crafts vs.
arts", functionalism, vessel makers and potters are
becoming embarrassing. Not to mention Mr. Marges-
son's (Potter) repeated reference to “History”. I sug-
gest he should lock beyond Glenn Nelson's first edi-
tion before he begins to make historical references.

It is very tempting to play the game of personal slander
as did the above authors. To suggest “squirming and
drooling"......"degraded by*..... .\"phaney values pas-

-reading their attempts to counter the points
a tino, their arguments are 80 thin, if not
pointless, that they had no other choice. Sorry for
them!

I now suggest a name, one that is Inclusive of all,
therefore representative of the vitality of clay in B.C.,
in bao versions:

"Ceramic Arts of B.C.", or “B.C. Ceramic Arts"

If you think about it, efther version includes the
potter, the sculptor, the tile maker, the mural maker,
the functionalist, the conceptualisl, the metaphorist,
the traditionalist, even the avant-guardist, Clay is our
common unit; being individuals is our and
our health. The names are simple, inclusive of all, and
reflective (not a concession to fashion) of the clay
community it suggests to represent and serve.

Jim Thornsbury

Editor's Comment. The Potters’ Guild of B.C, is
the only province-wide whose con-
cerns are solely those of the worker inclay. fsome |
peaies opal  cecieaentatiee! Phat derwe at

potter or guild is tive, what do we do?

Both words are traditional references which I be-
lieve we would be the poorer for throwing away,
t of the erowilg divetatty of teremiic ert art, :
We would also be the poorer for being 5
into diverse groups. I also believe that ceramic art

is what we are all about, once purpose and tech-
nique are set aside.

‘What do you think? You are encouraged to com-
ment. The bit of space below may help you to get -
started, and be assured that no major decision will
be made in the near future! It's not the first time
He hee ee

I would like the present name, the Potters’ Guild of B.C., to be retained: O

Name:

I would like to see the name changed: 1 T samp. p47:
Comments:
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