Teaching in the Chicken House

I have taught ceramics, drawing, and design in the Vancouver
School of Art, Community centres, open fields and summer schools
over the last 5 years. Without exception there is always a lack of
equipment or too many people using a given space in a day or both.
Then the school administration likes to say "hullo" now and then.
Or the janitor wants to leave early for a beer and hopes you'll do
the same. Or would I mind firing 400 pleces of work by the kids

in grade 7? Or could I give a 3 minute demonstration in the
auditorium to a group of visiting mums on kiln construction? Or
please don't smoke or... in front of teenagers as we are trying

to set a good example.

I reach for two reasons: I believe that man must share any abili-
ties he may possess with his fellows; I also believe that eating
and dwelling in comfort is desirable therefore ] accept money for
sharing any talents I may possess.

My studio (a converted chicken house) has 7 electric wheels
(which a friend manufactures and are $300 each), one dough

mixer that keeps a constant supply of beautiful clay available;
one 40 cu.ft, gas kiln and one 10 cu.ft. electric one: 200@t. of
floor space to allow comfortable movement of students and provide
lots of storage: one telephone for making dates (325-8086) and all
the tools necessary for beginners or advanced course. As a bonus
the atmosphere is stimulating and makes one want to work:

I run evening courses Monday, Thursday and Friday, 3 hrs. each
night, one night per week. For aryone who is a beginner or
advanced and would like a 6 hr. day course to start them or re-
fresh them, I do that on a one day or more basis depending on

student requirements.
Pottery is fun even in a Chicken House‘

Don Hutchinson
8514 Ash St, , Vancouver 14, B.C,

(Pottery is FUN - ESPECIALLY in a Chicken House. Ed.)

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