Contents

The Divine Comedy of
Elaine Brewer-White.... 1

President's Report

A Great Opportunity3

Gallery of BC

Ceramics News

Canadian Clay Symposium

Presenters Show
Ichizo Yamashita
Workshop
Invitational Exhibition of
Contemporary West
Coast Ceramics
Debra Sloan
Review of Two Ceramic
Monthly Handbooks .... 7
Symposium Update
Made of Clay
Editor’s Note

President's Report March 2004

It's now a year since the Guild and Gallery faced disaster and ruin square in the
face. At a recent 7hr. pot-luck dinner meeting the board took time to review our
current position and look ahead to the remaining period up to the AGM, and
beyond to our 50th in 2005. While we can't let down our guard and need. to
push on with fundraising, it's been a phenomenal year of consolidation and
progress despite dealing with what seemed to be one crisis after another, and it's
all good news. There's some black ink at the bank (a caution that we are into our
low cash flow time). The Gallery under Tamara, with loads of support from staff
and a truly inspired Gallery Committee had its best year ever, despite a difficult
retail climate. Membership issues have taken on a new intensity with Joan and
Ronna - we are now over 400 strong - and will be the primary focus of the board

as we head to the AGM. It all feels very vital.

There will be a lot more to share and celebrate at this year’s AGM. There are four
board positions to be filled on the board of twelve.This should be a regular turn-
over number so that we have continuity and ideas and energy remain fresh. We
would encourage as big a proportion of members as possible to make a contribu-
tion to the running of their own Guild. Obviously for practical reasons this role
falls predominantly to members in the Lower Mainland but it is essential that
other members ensure their voice if camaraderie, feeling connected with what's
going on and the warm fuzzies of feeling you're making a real contribution to
your Guild. As we head towards our 50th it's going to be an exciting and re-
warding time to be on the board. When I step down as President in May, I shall
continue to work with Heather Cairns, Gillian McMillan, Karen Opas and
Debra Sloan as we try to coordinate ideas for our 50th. We are negotiating fora
space to have a major guild show. We also plan a blitz of smaller shows in as
many locations across the province as possible and a travelling Cone Box sort of
show -'BC in a Box’ - as well as a show in Europe. There are various media,
magazine and educational initiatives and of course we need a party! We are
trying to line up a venue to combine with an event featuring BC masters. Don't
just watch this space - call one of us and ask how you can get involved.

Keith Rice-Jones

BC Potters Guild Gallery

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter March 2004