Ceramics ’84

"Garamics Hreak the Mould" as Eve Johnson put in her Sun
column, July 17, '84, aptly descrited the outstanding
exhibition of clay sculpture that the Potters Guild mounted
at Robson Square this summer. There was a lot of apprehen-
sion 2s to the kind of work which would be accepted into the
show, and the availability of enough competent and out-
standing clay sculpture to merit such an exhibition; we
proved there is such a movement in B.C. and for the most
part it is very progressive and stimulating.

The exhibitors and other volunteers worked terribly hard
for 2 days installing the exhibition. We had a priority to
arrange the work seo that there were relationships between
objects, and that there was a natural flow for viewers, as
well as dramatic effect. It took lots of time, lots of
hands, careful planning and lots of fumbling, which
definitely paid off to our advantage. Some individual
Pieces took all of the two days to set up. Everyone was
extremely pleasant, helpful and csoperative, making the
entire process so much more enjoyable and equitable for all
of us - thank you for that.

The audiance was impressed by the exhibition and delighted
to find so many avenues possible from a medium usually
associated with utilitarian objects. It was a refreshing
change that many people found somewhat of a revelation and
learning experience; even for some of our members.

Roughly 4,000 people viewed the exhibition during its short
9 day run (a time limit imposed by Robson Seuare), Many of
those viewers had a particular interest in the exhibit,
making it a point to get to, even with the bus strike. The
remainder were primarily tourists who went away very im-
pressed by the quality of work in H.C. The exhibition had
a Wide appeal of tastes and everyone had their own favyour-
ites. Sales were not massive, but we did sell several
smaller works and one major piece, As usual we could have
sold others had they been for sale,

Our three cash Special Merit awards went to Persimmon
Blackbridge, John Pickering, and Bill Rennie, for the out-
standing works they submitted to the show and also for
their continued efforts in the field of ceramic sculpture