President’s Message

September's weather has been beautiful. I want to be out in the
gardens but I have to be in the studio. Like so many of us I am
sure, I'm trying to get ready for sales and markets. The temperatures
are summer-like but the shorter days make the coming of fall
undeniable. Many of our members have renewed their memberships
and hopefully the rest will quickly follow suit in October (along
with lots of new members I hope). It helps when developing a
budget for next year to know what funds we have to work with.
The PGBC Board also hopes to return to our traditional month
for the AGM in February. With that in mind, now is the time for

us to seek members who are interested in shaping the future of this

organization by joining the Board of Directors. New members bring
fresh views and skills that help our organization remain vibrant and
meaningful to its members. If you are thinking about volunteering
why not consider joining this active, dedicated team? Or if you
know someone who might be a good candidate, please contact me
or any other board member for more information (contact info is

on the back page). a

—Denise Jeffrey

Gallery News
By Brenda Beaudoin

The Pots, Pots, Pots opening was very well
attended and loads of fun!

A special thank you and best wishes to Meg
Buckley who, after 50 years as a ceramicist,
is now officially retired. Also enjoying
semi-retirement this year is Penny Birnam.
To say her animal heads will be missed. is
an understatement. We'll still receive the
occasional piece and perhaps some new
creatures, that depends on where the creative
winds take her.

This month, we gear up for the members’
Mug Shots exhibition (see poster on Page 5).
Mugs, mugs and more mugs—hope to see
you at the opening. The opening will feature
a promotional offer from Panoramic Roasters:
a free two-serving size sample of their Mug
Shots brew specially blended for this exhibi-

tion with mug purchases while quantities last.

Dont forget, the gallery provides soft pluses
for artists such as letters of references for grants,
residencies and exhibitions applications across
Canada.

As I prepare for my last day before my
maternity leave later this month, ] am proud
of the accomplishments the gallery assistants
and I have achieved so far this year. Top of our
agenda was to significantly increase gallery
sales compared to 2011. Year-to-date, we're
up over 15% and still tracking ahead! We've
successfully rebuilt our communications
touch points with our loyal customers. As a
small non-profit self-sustaining gallery, person-
alized and exceptional customer service is
vital to our continued success. The ongoing
revamping of ceramic displays keeps the
gallery fresh and enticing for patrons. The 2013
exhibition line-up is coming together nicely,

reflecting diversity and speaking to the PGBC
mission. Also, I’m incredibly pleased with the
staff picks exhibition and their daily contribu-
tions. Staff engagement is essential to the gal-
lery’s growth, meeting challenges and success.

‘The third and final retail jury for 2012 took
place in September. New to the gallery: Kelly
Austin, Shannon Merritt and Claire Wensveen.
We're also introducing second lines by Jackie
Frioud and Jinny Whitehead. The gallery has
juried in 10 new lines of ceramics this year.
‘Thank you to all the members who submitted
to jury. It's so much fun to introduce new
artists and new works.

I will miss the day-to-day at the gallery
during my maternity leave, but I am very
certain that I will be swinging by with my
twins in tow to check out what’s happening

and new. @

Artists and staff

at the Pots, Pots,
Pots opening (left

to right): Sasha
Krieger, Sam Knopp,
Darlene Nairine,
Darcy Greiner,

Kelly Austin and
Carita Ho.

Potters Guild of BC Newsletter : October 2012