Table of Contents Thoughts on Beauty and My Creative Process 1 No President’s Message No Gallery Manager's Report Membership Directory Update: Are You In? Claylines From Oven and Kiln BC in a Box A “Feast For The Eyes” Tour “Making What the Eyes Want to Touch” Early Guild History Wisteria Gathering WR Go Go bh Kootenay Contemporary Fired at the Ferry Building NWCE Speaker Series Guild Annual Report A Cup Sized History Jingdezhen PWS Experimental Factory 18 Chinese Ceramic Cultural Sites 19 Messages From the High Desert 20 NOW WONNDAN e Wrapping up the 50th 21 The Cracked Pot 21 Have You Met Irene? 22 Member Ads 22 Member Announcements 23 Membership Directory Update Time - Are You In? Don’t leave it until the last minute! It is time to begin preparing this year’s Membership Directory. The Membership Directory lists the contact infor- mation of all current members of the Potter’s Guild of BC. Please refer to the insert included with this month’s newsletter for sub- mission information. Contact Matthew Freed, our Membership Chair, if you require further infor- mation. membership@bcpotters.com or (604) 899-3383. Matthew Freed President’s Message We are very lucky that this dynamic organization is full of members who sup- port the clay community in so many dif- ferent ways. Over the years, we have been able to recognise some of those tire- less supporters by offering a lifetime membership in the Guild. This year it is with great pleasure that we offer our appreciation to two members: Robert Weghsteen and Carol Mayer. Robert Weghsteen studied ceramics in 1949-50 at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London, England. At that time the only reference book on pottery was “The Potters Book” by Bernard Leach. So it is not surprising that he was influenced by Leach, but he was also stirred by the work of Picasso and the colourful southern European maiolica work, In 1956 Robert decided to move to Vancouver and shipped all his equip- ment, including his kilns, via the Panama Canal. Robert taught for 8 years at the Vancouver School of Art. Some of his better known students were Wayne Ngan, Tam Irving, Don Hutchinson, Heinz Laffin and Jean Fahrni, amongst many others. Robert felt that teaching was taking too much of his time and chose to spend more time on his art. He had a one-man show at the Vancouver Art Gallery and during the sixties was President of the Potters Guild. You can see some of his murals at the Vancouver airport and UBC. It is inter- esting that, in our upcoming exhibition, ‘Transformations, he is featured both as an elder and a participant. Thank you Robert for your contributions and con- tinued support to the clay community. Dr. Carol Mayer is the Senior Curator of Ceramics and Ethnology at the Museum of Anthropology (MOA) and is an inter- nationally recognized authority on ceramics. She holds degrees from the universities of British Columbia, Cambridge and Leicester. Carol is also a teacher at Emily Carr and UBC and has lectured all over the world. The Canadian Museums Association has twice bestowed upon her the National Award of Merit for her work on exhibi- tions. Author of numerous publications, articles, and essays. Of significance to the PGBC, Carol wrote the historical text entitled "Vigorous & Shiny” in Made of Clay: Ceramics of British Columbia. She is presently curating TransFormations, our 50th Anniversary show at the Burnaby Art Gallery. Carol served many years on the Board of Directors of the PGBC and is a founding member of the NorthWest Ceramics Foundation, where she continues to actively serve. Although Carol is not a potter herself, her contributions, and her support of the world of ceramics are longstanding. Thank you Carol for shar- ing with us your passion for clay. Have a wonderful summer. Jinny Whitehead Gallery Manager’s Report Summer’s in Swing! 8 Thank you to all the artists who have replenished the gallery with their new stock. Fresh displays are vital for new & repeat customer interest. Do you have extra unwanted packing foam chips? Recycle & drop them off at the gallery anytime. We do loads of ship- ping during the summer. Jim Stamper’s sculptural exhibition played up June Bike month. His ceram- Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter ics also showcased the diversity of clay as a medium displayed at the gallery. Canada Day: Kootenay Contemporary Exhibition opens and there will be be lots of activities on Granville Island as well. (Gallery open to 9pm). Reminder: Guild Artists please pick up all un-sold 50th Guild Bowls, the gallery is accepting 50th Guild Vases starting Monday July 4th Brenda Beaudoin July/August 2005