if Canadian craftsmen have sufficient maturity to respond to the

impetus of Kathleen's article, the energy generated could be well used
to lead potters towards greater fulfilment as a cultural force. It is often
conveniently forgotten, but nonetheless true, that without the encourage-
ment of sales to the public, most of us could not continue effectively as
potters at all.

No one would encourage a member of the public who was ignorant of the
intricacies of our craft to sit on a jury. Yet there seems to be little
interest in informing the public so that their choice of pots may be led
in our direction and towards an understanding of what we are about.

An informed public could become a force in our collective improve-
ment. There might then be some hope of good pottery becoming
something of a cultural force and of professionalism being given a
boost at the same time. The implications of such an advance would
become evident in the work and philosophies of our membership.

Much is taken for granted at present which, on examination, proves to be
founded on tired, intuitive, inbred and therefore imbecllic slavery to the
past. Little thought is given lo what the future could be, Such devotion
to bygone glories may serve well to lift the Individual potter out of the
uncomfortable circumstance of living in the Twentieth Century, but it
does nothing constructive to the practice of pottery or to the profession
of the potter.

How much of this is engendered by the potter's own wish for exposure
in competitive exhibitions ? These exhibitions lead us in a circle,
searching for constant change without a thought for the further exploit-
ation of good qualities found en route.

During the last 20 years or 50, North American potters have success-
fully run through the whole gamut of known effects and during this time
every little back alley of experience has had its turn at the top of the
pile. But there is still no conviction existing beyond a belief in change
itself. After all the searching it would seem that nothing has been found,
This has happened because Potters have largely withdrawn from com-
petition in society to compete among themselves. If we engaged
ourselves in society and exploited, as professionals, qualities we believe
in, instead of allowing distractions and the never-ending search

7.