Have You Met Irene?

Since my last article I had the great pleasure of
meeting Irene Berchtenbreiter. It was the occa-
sion of her 92nd birthday and Irene was having
her annual day-long (and into the evening)
event to greet old friends and happily to meet
new ones. I live in the Chinatown of
Vancouver and it’s an occasion even to cross the
river into Richmond. A drive to the metropolis
of Mission and then the journey out country
roads through the woods was in itself a treat,
but what awaited at the end of this journey has
left a memory to cherish! Irene lives in a hand-
some house in the middle of the woods with
her dogs and her doves and her many, many
beautiful pieces of ceramic art. Each piece has a
story and Irene is happy to tell you about her
work. A tile-like set in an unfinished wood box
has a door that opens in the center with a fig-
ure peeking out. That’s the little old lady down
the road who's afraid to come

out. A beautiful group of six wall
plaques represent the stations of
the cross and were originally
planned for a church in Los
Angeles. It was never installed in
the church and Irene brought
them here and recently hung
them in her living area.

It was a beautiful day even in the
rain and about 50 or 60 people
came to wish Irene even more
happiness in her 93rd year. She is
still making art; we were served.
food in some bowls she made in
the past year, and Irene said I
must come out sometime when
it’s not so busy and have a work-
shop. “We'll invite a few potters
and make some ceramics.” I told
her ’'m not a potter
myself and she said
“Oh that’s good!
And nobody will
help you either!”

I have a few pieces
of Irene’s work and
recommend it to
everyone. Thank
you again Irene for
the privilege of
being at your birth-
day.

Photos: Martin Hunt

John Lawrence

For Sale

Olympic cone 6 test kiln for sale. All
new elements. $500.00 firm.
604.874.8518

Rachelle Chinnery porcelain@rachel-
lechinnery.ca

Classes

Private and small classes in throwing,
hand building, glazing, developing a
style, with Rachelle Chinnery. Call
604.874.8518.

Rachelle Chinnery porcelain@rachel-
lechinnery.ca

For Sale

POTTER’S WHEEL (Brent model B)
with splash guard.

1/3 horse power - centres 30 lbs of clay.
6 masonite bats included FREE!

Gently used by wannabe potter...seeks
new owner with strong hands!

Asking $800 o.b.0., paid $ 1,500

Phone Monique in Campbell River 250-
287-8565.

Kiln For Sale

McLennan and Sons Electric manual kiln
Model 900 3.3, 5 cubic ft

Max. cone 8

includes shelves and posts

excellent condition, barely used
$1,150 OBO

email: c.lightb@telus.net

phone: (604) 708-9232

For Sale

INSULATING FIRE BRICK for kilns
(new @$3.18 +tax Fairey & Co.) 285
bricks in good condition,
200(equivalent) half bricks and broken bricks,
60 (equivalent) previously mortared.
whole and half bricks,

several large kiln shelves, odd heavy
bricks, North Bby. $350.

Tel: 604-299-3614 Louise Bradley -
Irbradley@shaw.ca

Doda is Moving

My email address remains the same
jdis@telus.net, but on the second of
July I will open a new shop at street
level in the same block of Richards
St. The new DoDa Antiques will be
at 434 Richards and I hope to have
an expanded selection of B.C.
ceramics from the 1920s to the
present!!! John Lawrence

22

Potters Guild of British Columbia Newsletter

July/August 2005