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“Lottery for Pottery 98”

In order to raised furvds for the Potters
Guild, the NorthWest Ceramics
Foundation is organizing the next “Lottery
for Poetery” in the spring of 98, All funds
raised will again go towards dhe bank
“Made of Clay". This time we are asking

all the members of che guild to participare.

Thee first event was so successful we
anticipate being able to sell cwo hundred
tickets this time. Thar means we will
need two hundred pors. As before each
por should have a value of at least $100.
Because the Foundation is organizing this
time, we can alfer eax receipes for the full
amount of the donation. Another option
would be te pay the artist 50% of the cose,
in this case $40 (cost of a ticket is 580)
This is being considered by the committee
and will be finalized by the next
newshetter. it's an exciting event to ke
involved in, as all artists are invited fo
watch as their pots are being chosen.
More details will be forthcoming, just
Want fo give everyone enough time to
make a pot or two for this evenc. Tickers
will be available to buy as Christmas gifts.
Tickets sold before December 31st will be

at a discounc.

Linda Doherty

Error Alert;

Gil Stengel and Will Shynkaruk at Utah
Stace University were the people
responsable for the study on gale firing
emissions mentioned in our last issue.
The editor apologizes,

Letters
Dear Porters’ Guild:

What a thrill. For years I looked at those
John Leach pots in Robin Hopper's
“Funcoonal Poetery". In my mind ! fele
them over and over, but co pick chem up
for real was to feel his very soul. And
what a thrill to meet the man, who is just
as cuddly as his pots. Thanks again wo
Gillian and all the others who made ir

possible.

Lynda Jomes,
Falklland, Pet.

Dear Karen,

Just received my 10 times a year eagerly
awaited newsletter, As [ live 750 miles
from Vancouver (a one long, or two day
drive), the only benefit [ get from my
membership is the newsletter, to inform
me as to what is happening outside our
small community ef Srithers. A direce
benetit of the newsletter is the listings of
workshops that [ eagerly peruse each
winter, and have have manayped ta get no
afew over the years, As che summer issue
states, my membership is $40 and the
newslecter cose ane $2.64 per issue te
send it tame. | calculate you have $13.60
left over the publishing overhead.

As the newsletter is the only benedic | and,
I'm sure, other ourt-of-towners get, could
we be in another category of your
membership (540 -newsletter only)? [f we
were in Vancouver and wanted to attend
a Guild finction, we could pay as a non-
member, [f che membership for an
individual goes up, | would have to once
again question whether the newsletter is
worth it. Richt mow, I feel che acatf are
doing an excellent job, and wouldn't want
to lec my membership lapse.

Just some thoughts!

Pat Mince,
Smithers, BC

Dear Pat,

This is an off-the-cuff response, so feel
free to filet me into tiny pieces. The cast
quote in the summer issue did noe take
into account things like rene for che
building, phococopier, stamp machine, fax
machine, phone, long-distance calls,
Jane's salary, hydro, etc. | am cold thar
our $40 annually barely manages to cover
the real coses. We have decided to
charge for newsletters in the Gallery so
that we members no longer subsidise more
feckless porters!

Out of town members are always welcome
to jury into the gallery, Nonetheless, |
can certainly understard your poine. |
personally favour keeping the membership
fee as is, withour any increases, for che
foreseeable future.

Karen Opas, Editor.

ga i :

The Cariboo Potters Guild
cotarmemorated their 30ch Anniversary in
July with a moach-long show at the
Sationhowe Gallery in Willams Lake.
the show featured recent work of present
Cruild porters, from long-time members ti
novices. The pieces ranged trom
dinnerware fired in oxidation, to
reduction fired stoneware, raku, sawdust
fired work, hand-buile sculprurce and wall
Pieces.

The Guild was founded in 1967 as the
Creative Pottery Society for the purpose
of “stimulating creative work with clay
and furthering knowledge, understanding
and appreciation of the clay medium”. In
the early years, the emphasis was on the
use of local materials and Guild members
undertook expeditions to collect clay and
minerals from local deposics. Week-long
workshops were held in conjunction with
the Porters Guild of BC, the Community
Ars Council and che Emily Carr School
of Arc. Participants leamed to dig clay,
take pots, test local materials for glazes
and build che kilns chey weed oo fire che
finished product.

Today the Cariboo Porters Guild has over
fitty members. The Guild maincains a
studio and yas kiln for the use of its
members. The Guild offers evening
classes for beginners, brings in professional
ceramic artists for weekend workshops
and offers demonstrations at its monthly
Tee ciruys.

Hazardous Products Act

Health Canada sent a lovely little colour
page showing some examples of pots thar
do nor meet the new safety regulations for
pottery. Tf you want your very own copy
or other informacion contact the Product
Safery Office ar: (604) 666 . 5003.

Somewhar on that topic was an article in
the Globe & Mail revealing the sad fact
that your Baccarat lead crystal decanter
will leach lead tnee pour search and
cognac, but that glasses and snifters are
just fine, unless you leave the liquid
contentd in them for several months.